RINGBEARER & TRAINBEARER RESPONSIBILITIES

Neither of these is required positions and may be boys or girls. Usually only one ring bearer is used, but two with one ring per pillow will work if you have and abundance of four or five year children that you would like to have involved in the ceremony. Although the rings on the pillows are usually not he actual wedding rings, you could have two ring bearers if you are having a double ring ceremony, one for the bride and one for the groom. Trainbearer or pages usually walk in pairs but a single trainbearer can be used.

If ring bearers and trainbearer are little boys they are not likely to be interested in any pre--wedding parties. If they are girls, they might want to attend the shower and some other parties.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families.
The ring bearers (s) carries a pillow with a ring or rings sewn to it. (These are usually not the real wedding rings but symbolic ones for show only.)
The ring bearer (s) walks either directly in front of or besides the flower girl (s) in the processional and the recessional.

If real rings are tied to the pillow the ring bearer takes the pillow directly to the maid or honor and the best man who will remove the rings. The trainbearers follow the bride in the processional and recessional, and carry the bridal train.

During the ceremony, the ring & train bearers may stand near the ushers or sit with their families.
They are in the formal Photographs of the bridal party.
Ring and train Bearers do not usually stand in the reception line.
Ring and trainbearers usually sit at a table of honor with their families.

Families of ring and train bearers are expected to pay for attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the children's families pick up these costs.

Ring and train bearers are not expected to bring gifts to any pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend gifts expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one party, only one shower gift is expected.

FLOWER GIRL RESPONSIBILITIES

You may choose one or two little girls to be flower girls. The best age range is between four and eight. (Although younger ones are cute, they can create some real challenges during a processional or ceremony.) If you choose two girls, it looks nice if they are about the same size, but that may not be possible. It can be a special honor for a child to be chosen as part of you wedding.

Flower girls attend the shower and some pre-wedding parties.
They attend the rehearsal and may attend the rehearsal dinner with their families.
Flower girls walk directly in front of the bride in the processional and in front of the maid of honor in the recessional.

As flower girls walk down the aisle, they may scatter flower or rose petals. If petals are not permitted, sometimes flower girls will hand out single flowers to guest as they walk, or they may just carry a bouquet, a ring of flowers or a pomander ball.

During the ceremony, flower girls may stand near the bridesmaids or may sit with their families. Younger ones probably will do better sitting with their families.

They are in the formal photographs of the bridal parties.
Flower girls do not usually stand in the reception line.
Flower girls usually sit at a table of honor with their families rather than at the head table.
Flower girls may dance with family members, friends or other members of the wedding party if they choose to do so.

Families of flower girls are expected to pay for dresses and other attire.
If travel expenses are involved, the girls' family pick up these costs.

Flower girls are not expected to bring a gift to pre-wedding parties they may attend. If their parents attend, gift expectations would be the same as any other guest. If they attend more than one shower or party, only one shower gift is expected.

Flower girls are not responsible for helping financially with bridal shower

BESTMANS RESPONSIBILITIES (part 3)

The Best Man is responsible to make the first toast to the bride and groom at the wedding.
The Best Man is also responsible to make the first toast at the rehearsal dinner. PLEASE note…if you are the best man, you must give the first toast at the reception to the couple, not just the groom. If a person does not know the bride or groom and still wants to give a toast, they must acknowledge the other half, as in, “Though we’ve just met Tony, he seems like a wonderful guy and he obviously makes Samantha very happy … etc.” You can still tell the boating story from when you were 13, but it better end with them.

The Best Man should act as a host, making introductions when necessary and helping to make the guests feel welcome.

The Best Man should dance at the reception with the bride, both mothers and as many of the bridal attendants and guest as possible.

Help the groom change into his travel clothes after the reception. Find out when the bride is ready to leave and with the maid/matron of honors, help the bride and groom depart.

Return the groom's tuxedo to the tux shop or if it belongs to the groom, be responsible for taking it to the cleaners.

Order flowers for the bride and groom's room at the first stop of the honeymoon trip.

Another responsibility of the Best Man may include the signing of the marriage certificate. This is not only a legal document but also a beautiful keepsake for the couple. Many times, the Best Man is not aware that his signature may be required and he may be off with the guests.

Note about ring bearer: The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the bride's wedding ring. However, many times the couple will also want to have a ring bearer. We recommend that the "real" ring be kept safe in the pocket of the Best Man. Why? Just remember the boy with stage fright who never made it down the aisle…or even better, the ring bearer who argued with the Best Man when he tried to remove the ring and then cried his eyes out when the Best Man took it away.

BESTMANS RESPONSIBILITIES (part 2)

Make absolutely sure that the groom has the marriage license with him.
Receive the minister's fee from the groom and give it to the minister privately following the ceremony.
Help the groom pack for his honeymoon.
Help the groom dress for the ceremony.

If a ring bearer is to be in the wedding, the Best Man is responsible to oversee the child and be sure he understands his duties. (See note below)

Assist with luggage arrangements for both the bride and the groom so that everything will be ready for their departure.

Make sure car or travel arrangements are set and that the groom is carrying any necessary reservations, tickets, money and travelers checks.

The Best Man will want to ride to the church with the groom. It is the Best Man's responsibility to make sure the ushers are together and ready before the ceremony begins. Many weddings have been delayed by dilly dallying ushers who are either cutting up to relieve the tension they feel or are out having the last quick puff on a cigarette.

Alert ushers as to the ladies who will be wearing flowers and make sure they are not seated before receiving them.

Check all the men's boutonnieres. These should always be worn on the left lapel, stem down.
Perform any task or errand the groom or the bride's mother may request at the church.
If applicable, remind the groom to remove his gloves as the bride comes down the aisle.
Be first at the reception in order to welcome the bride and groom.

BESTMANS RESPONSIBILITIES (part 1)

Assists groom with all details of the wedding day!
Pays for own attire
Transports groom to the church.
Supervises the grooms men, regarding their dress and duties at ceremony
Takes care of bride's ring until ceremony
Presents the clergyperson with fee
Signs and witnesses the marriage certificate
Offers the first toast to the bride and groom
Dances with the bride after the groom and both fathers have danced with her
Prepares the honeymoon car, packs suitcases in car
Holds for safe-keeping, any tickets, keys, etc. for the groom
Returns groom's tuxedo to rental shop

BRIDESMAID RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchases and completes fittings of gownsPerforms tasks as assigned by brideAttends rehearsal and rehearsal dinnerBridesmaids are usually close friends or family members. When inviting them, make them aware that there are costs involved as well as a time commitment. It is an honor to be asked, but may also be a financial burden. Make friends feel special when you invite them to be part of your wedding.
The number of bridesmaids usually depends on the formality of your wedding, with a dozen being the maximum for any wedding. Girls between 8 and 16 are considered to be junior bridesmaids. Junior bridesmaids are not expected to help with details as much as bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids help take care of details for the bride such as running errands, making table decorations or favors.

They usually join the maid of honor in hosting a bridal shower, attend pre-wedding parties and attend the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
Bridesmaids walk in the processional and recessional, either single file, two together or with an usher They stand near the bride during the ceremony. They are in formal photographs of the bridal party. Bridesmaids pay for their own dresses and other attire.If travel expenses are involved, they pay their own cost involved in getting to the wedding and staying in town during the celebration. Although bridesmaids may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected. Bridesmaids share the cost of the bridal shower with the maid of honor.

MAID/MATRON OF HONOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The maid or matron of honor is usually a sister or very close friend. Choose someone dependable.

Helps the bride with shopping, invitations and other details as requested
Attends all pre-wedding events
Pays for own wedding attire
Takes charge of groom's ring during ceremony
Witnesses, signs wedding certificate
Helps bride in arranging veil and dress at ceremony and reception
Returns bride's gown to designated place after wedding

The maid of Honor may plan your wedding and take care of details for you. If she lives nearby she might help address invitations, plan pre-wedding parties, make favors or table decorations, and keep track of gifts received and thank you cards sent. The maid of honor usually hosts a bridal shower. The bride can delegate care of bridesmaid's fittings and details. She attends pre-wedding parties. She attends the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.
The maid of honor helps the bride with dressing and assists with the, train, veil and holding the brides bouquet during the ceremony. The maid of honor wears the grooms ring on her thumb (or carries it in some other safe manner) until it is time for the blessing and exchange of rings in the ceremony. She is responsible for having an emergency kit with miscellaneous items such as a needle and thread, extra nylons, a roll of tape etc. The maid of honor holds on to a duplicate list of desired shots for the photographer and Videographer as well as a song list for ceremony musicians and a copy of any special prayers or readings to be used during the ceremony. She walks in front of the bride in the processional and with the best man in the recessional and stands near the bride at the altar. She makes sure that all of the bride's clothing, make-up and personal belongings are removed from the changing room at the ceremony site and taken back to the bride's home. She helps to line up bridesmaids for formal photographs.

The maid of Honor stands next to the groom in very formal receiving lines. The maid of honor is seated at the head table or table of honor. During the reception, she mingles with guest.She dances with the best man at the reception. She helps the bride with her train, fastening it to floor length so it is out of the way for dancing, if necessary. The maid of honor keeps a duplicate copy of the list of names and pronunciations for the bridal party announcements. She also keeps a duplicate song list for the reception musicians or disc jockey. If the bride needs assistance in tossing her bouquet or in gathering single women to catch it, the maid of honor can help out. If requested, she helps the bride dress for the honeymoon and makes sure the bridal gown and other personal clothing items are returned to the bride's home after the reception. She takes the bridal bouquet for preserving and may take the gown for heir looming while the bride is on her honeymoon

The maid or matron of honor pays for her own dress and other attire. If travel expenses are involved, she pays for her own way. Although she may attend several pre-wedding parties, only one shower gift and one wedding gift are to be expected. She may share the cost of bridal shower.