Traditional Wedding Responsibilities

A lot has changed over the years from the "original" wedding responsibilities that were traditionally followed by brides, grooms and their respective families.

Today's couples will often pay for most, if not all, of their own wedding expenses themselves, perhaps with some monetary help from their parents. Even those couples who have parents that are paying for the entire wedding will find the expenses are split up more evenly, rather than the bride's family shouldering most of the financial responisiblity.

Still, there are many couples who wish to have an idea of what the traditional roles and wedding responsibilities are for each member of their wedding party. The following are the "customary" duties:

The Bride

• Personal stationary (thank you notes, guest book)
• Gifts for her attendants
• Her own medical examination and blood tests
• A gift for the groom
• The groom's wedding band
• Beauty appointments for her attendants and herself (hair salon, makeup, etc.)

• Engagement party
• Bridal dress, veil, going-away outfit
• Music/soloist for church and reception
• All photography (this includes engagement AND wedding photos)
• Wedding invitations (plus enclosures, envelopes, stamps, etc.)
• Church rental or rental for location of the ceremony if other than a church
• Flowers for decorations and bridesmaid's bouquets (not the bride's)
• Rehearsal dinner (although the groom's family will sometimes offer to pay for this)
• All reception expenses (catering, decorations, wedding cake, beverages, tips and gratuities to staff, etc. - however, sometimes the groom's family will opt to pay for the beverages)
• Transportation to and from the church to the reception
• Their own wedding clothes
• Any newspaper notices

• His wedding attire
• The bride's engagement ring and wedding band
• Gift's for his attendants
• The marriage license
• His medical examination and blood tests
• A present for the bride
• The bridal bouquet and corsages for the mothers
• All boutonnieres for the ushers, fathers and himself
• Accessories for his attendant's (ties, etc.), not including formal wear
• All honeymoon costs

• Travelling expenses for themselves and the groom if needed
• Wedding present for the bride and groom (often a donation of money to help with expenses)
• Their own wedding clothes
• The rehearsal dinner (optional, as noted above)
• All beverages at reception (optional, as noted above)

• Pays for her wedding attire
• Plans a shower for the bride or a party for the couple
• Assists the bride on the wedding day
• Is in charge of the guest book
• Attends the wedding rehearsal
• Signs the wedding certificate as a witness
• Buys a wedding present for the couple
• Makes sure the bride's going-away outfit is taken to the reception
• Pays for her own travel and accommodations (if necessary)

• Pays for his own wedding attire
• Pays for his own travel and accommodations (if necessary)
• Buys a gift for the wedding couple
• Helps the groom with honeymoon arrangements
• Decorates the car(s) (either with help from the groom or the ushers)
• Makes sure the groom's going away outfit is taken to the reception
• Attends the wedding rehearsal
• Usually plans the bachelor party for the groom with the ushers

• Pay for their own wedding attire
• Pay for their own travel and accommodations (if necessary)
• Decorate for the reception and help to clean up afterward
• Attend the wedding rehearsal
• Gather up gifts and cards brought to the wedding and reception
• Often, they plan a "bachelorette" party for the bride a week or two before the wedding
• Either separately or as a group, buy a wedding gift for the couple

• Pay for their own wedding attire
• Pay for their own travel expenses and accommodations (if necessary)
• Drive any guests that don't have transportation to the wedding and reception
• Help to seat guests at the wedding
• Either separately or as a group, buy a wedding gift for the couple

• Her parents pay for an appropriate outfit
• Must attend the rehearsal
• Walks in front of the bride in the processional
• Walks behind the bride and groom in the recessional
• Does not stand in the receiving line

• Parent's pay for his wedding attire
• Carries the ring(s) which are securely tied to a pillow (often, the best man will hold the real rings and two fake rings are placed on the pillow)
• Attends the rehearsal
• Proceeds the flower girl in the processional (or can walk with her)
• Walks with the flower girl behind the bride and groom during the recessional
• Does not stand in the receiving line

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