Wedding Etiquette

"Wedding Etiquette Made Easy!"

WEDDING ETIQUETTE

Often it is cultural backgrounds and individual convictions that heavily influence the decision-making regarding weddings, but the following is a general guide and can be adapted to your dream of your own perfect wedding.

Who Pays?

The Bride typically pays for the the groom's wedding ring and gifts for the attendants, accommodation for out-of-town members of her wedding party, and the wedding gift for the groom.

The Groom typically pays for the bride's rings, the honeymoon, a wedding gift for the bride, the marriage license, the groom's men gifts, accommodation for out-of-town groom's men, flowers for the bride, the corsages, accessories including boutonnieres for men in wedding party, and the fee for clergyperson or judge

The Groom's Family typically pays for:Clothing Travel and lodging expensesRehearsal dinnerA wedding gift

The Bride's Family typically pays for:Reception costs.Bride's attireInvitations, announcements, and thank you notesSeating charts, napkins, mailing costs, etc.Photographers and videographersThe ceremony costsTransportation for the wedding party on the big dayGratuities for all services: parking, securityThe bridesmaid luncheon

The Attendants typically pay for:Ceremony attireTravel expensesWedding gift for newlyweds

Maid/Matron of Honor responsibilitiesThe maid or matron of honor is usually a sister or very close friend. This person should be dependable, and you can alway choose both a maid (single) and a matron (married) of honor.

Wedding etiquette dictates that the maid of honor often helps plan your wedding and takes care of certain details. She may help address invitations, plan parties, make party and table decorations, and keep track of gifts received and thank you cards sent. In addition, the maid of honor usually hosts the bridal shower.

The Ceremony WeddingThe maid of honor often assists the bride with getting ready and helps with the train, veil and holding the brides bouquet during the ceremony. Also, the maid carries the grooms ring until it is time for placement. Furthermore, it also helpful if she carries an emergency kit with miscellaneous items such as a sewing supplies, extra nylons, or a roll of tape, etc.

The maid of honor also maintains a list of desired shots for the photographer and videographer as well as a setlist for the band or DJ.

The ReceptionThe 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. She takes the bridal bouquet for preserving and may take the gown for heir looming while the bride is on her honeymoon.

ExpensesThe maid or matron of honor pays for her own attire, travel expenses, and one shower and wedding gift.

The number of bridesmaids usually depends on the formality of your wedding; a dozen is max for any wedding. Girls between 8 and 16 are considered "junior bridesmaids" and are not expected to bear a burden of responsibility.

Advance Help

Bridesmaids help take care of details for the bride such as running errands, and making party favors or table decorations, etc. In addition, they usually join the maid of honor in hosting a bridal shower, attend pre-wedding parties and all rehearsals,

At the wedding

Bridesmaids walk in the processional and recessional, stand near the bride during the ceremony, and appear in the photographs.

At the Reception

Bridesmaids pay for their own attire, travel expenses, and gifts.

Flower Girl Responsibilities

The typical age of flower girls ranges between four and eight, and there are usually no more than two if they are used at all. (Although cute, keep in mind that the younger ones can create challenges during a long ceremony.)

Flower girls attend the shower, all wedding parties, and rehearsals. Flower girls walk directly in front of the bride in the processional and in front of the maid of honor in the recessional. As they walk down the aisle, they often scatter flowers or rose petals.

During the ceremony, flower girls may stand near the bridesmaids or may sit with their families, and appear in formal photographs.

Wedding etiquette usually dictates that flower girls not stand in the reception line, and they usually sit at a table with their families rather than at the head table.

Expenses

The families of flower girls are expected to pay for dresses, travel expenses, but are not expected to bring a gift and are not expected to assist financially with bridal shower.

Groomsmen and Ushers

The number of ushers is usually determined by the size of the wedding; one usher can comfortably seat about fifty guests.Ushers are often brothers, other relatives or good friends of the groom.

Wedding etiquette dictates that groomsmen help the best man plan the bachelor party, attend all pre-wedding parties, rehearsal dinners, and the ceremony.

The usher's job is to seat guests, and should arrive at the ceremony site at least one hour prior with clear seating plans.

In Christian ceremonies, the bride's family and guest sit on the left and the groom's on the right. In Jewish services, the seating is opposite, with the bride's family on the right. Female guests are escorted via the usher offering his right arm to her.

In addition, wedding etiquette dictates that ushers distribute programs or handouts, direct guests with gifts to the gift table, and encourage guests to sign the guest book.

Once the guests are seated, the ushers escort the groom's parents to the front row unless they are part of the processional. Finally, ushers escort the bride's mother to her seat unless she is also in the processional. Once everyone is seated, the groomsmen unroll the aisle runner in preparation for the big moment.

The Groomsmen may be part of the processional or they may take positions in the front with the best man or groom. They can stand near the groom during the ceremony, appear in formal photographs, and they escort the bridesmaids from the ceremony in the recessional.

Remember: one usher should be responsible to remove the isle runner and have it cleaned and returned.

At the reception, ushers may be seated at the head table or a table of honor at the reception.

In addition, wedding etiquette dictates that groomsmen and ushers pay for their own formal wear, travel expenses, and gifts, but may share the cost of the bachelor party with the best man.

Mother�s Attire

Traditionally, wedding etiquette dictates that the mother of the bride choose a dress first, followed by the mother of the groom. Their dresses should complement the entire bridal party. Such coordination is vital, otherwise your wedding photo will appear tacky, unplanned and haphazard.

At formal weddings, mothers typically wear floor or tea-length dresses, but semi-formal or informal weddings allow great flexibility. Regardless, they should still compliment each other.

Avoid black. Although it's a favorite color of many, it's still generally avoided. Over time this rule of thumb is becoming less strict, but here is a good rule of thumb: Wedding etiquette dictates that unless your bridesmaids are wearing black, a mother should generally avoid this color unless the bridesmaids are wearing it.