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Learn what it means for the bride and groom to have a wedding party—what to expect from your wedding party, and the roles that they will play in your wedding planning.
The following article is an example of the content we have in our online wedding planning membership site HappyWeddings.ca under the heading of Bridal Party. To learn more and get useful wedding planning tools for FREE click here!
What does it mean to have a wedding party? What does it mean to be in a wedding party?
The people that you choose for your wedding party are people that you are going to depend upon for the next year or more to help you with your wedding plans. They will be your support, and they will be your ambassadors with your wedding guests.
You want the people you choose to be able to follow through with your wedding planning requests, to be responsible enough to be in touch with you, especially in the final months before your wedding, and mostly, to show up on time and ready for all events. In a word, people that are responsible and that you can count on.
You also want to choose people who are considerate. This is your wedding, and the last thing you need is an overbearing friend taking over your wedding plans. You don’t need someone who is demanding or overly critical. You don’t need someone who will cause you to worry about the wedding. You DO want someone who is considerate and helpful and that you can count on.
Your wedding party members have specific jobs to do before the wedding, and during the wedding. Before the wedding, they will be performing specific tasks that are traditionally their responsibility, as well as assisting the bride and groom with their many tasks. In addition, at the wedding, it is their job to mix and mingle, dance with guests, make introductions where needed, and to behave appropriately.
Expenses for the wedding party quickly add up. Although most people are aware that they will be paying for their own bridesmaid dress or tuxedo, many people are unaware of the costs involved in putting on a shower, throwing a bachelor or bachelorette party, attending engagement parties, and so forth. It all costs money. The clothing and contribution to gifts expected at each step of the way can be a financial burden for some people. If any wedding party member lives far away, they will also have their travel expenses, even though the couple is responsible for their accommodation while they are attending the wedding.
Consider whether those you want to ask have been involved in other weddings in the last year. Do they have the time and financial resources to commit to your wedding? Don’t assume that everyone you ask to be in your wedding party will say yes. Be gracious and understanding if they feel the responsibility and burden is too great. Give them the opportunity to consider it, and to decline if they feel they need to.
In the next video we will explore whom you should be asking to be in your wedding party.