| Wedding Etiquette & Responsibilities page! Who's responsibility is what? |
Mother of the Bride
The Primary responsibility of the Mother of the Bride is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out the bride's way. It
will be your responsibility to help the bride plan her wedding with her tastes in mind…not your's. Help the bride select her
wedding attire. Please Remember, this is not your wedding. If you find yourself talking the bride out of a gown she loves, you may
be overreaching.
Help the bride and groom decide on a wedding budget. Settling money issues upfront is always best. A good clear budget will help
everyone with their expectations. You may choose to only admitting 85% or 90% of what you have to spend. Reserving an unknown
(unknown to Bride & Groom that is) 10% to 15% and keeping it under your hat so to speak, can be a lifesaver!. This way when the
Bride is upset over a last minute unexpected expense you have it covered!
In the event that the Mother of the Groom does not contact you, you will make the first contact. See that the guest lists are put together.
The invitations must be ordered as soon as possible, and the guest list must be completed before making your invitation order.
Select your gown for the wedding day. Immediately tell the Mother of the Groom the colors and style so that she may begin looking for a
complimentary gown. Send a swatch of material or e-mail a picture to the Mother of Groom if unable to meet in person for lunch!
Mother of the Groom
The mother of the groom is often at a loss as to exactly what role she plays in the marriage of her son and the planning of the pending
wedding.
The Primary responsibility of the Mother of the Groom is to see that the Bride & Groom's wishes are carried out the their
way. Please remember...This is not your wedding. It will be your responsibility to keep in mind the Bride & Groom's tastes...not
your's. This is not your wedding! First upon receiving news of the impending nuptials is to initiate contact between the families.
Introducing yourself and your husband to the bride's parents is your first order of business. This may be as simple as making a call to
the bride's mother and telling her how happy you are about the engagement, offering a informal invitation to lunch, or a dinner at your
home. If preferred, lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant is a perfect choice. This may be with or without the engaged couple in
attendance. If the parents live far away, a friendly letter is appropriate.
Providing an accurate and timely guest list can neither be over emphasized, nor the importance of sticking to the guidelines given her as
to the number of guests she many invite. Remember to include zip codes with addresses.
It is the bride's mother who will first select a dress for her daughters wedding. A gown of complimentary color and similar styling is then
chosen by the mother of the groom. She must wear long if the bride's mother wears long or short if she wears short. The color should
not match the bridesmaids, nor the brides' mother, but compliment both.
It is the responsibility of the groom's parents to host the rehearsal dinner. This can be as simple as a barbecue, with paper
plates in the backyard or as elaborate as an exotic dinner with live entertainment in the finest restaurant. Everyone who takes a part in
the ceremony is invited to the dinner. It is proper etiquette to invite the spouse or significant other of those participating, and the parents
of children in the wedding.
Maid of Honor / Matron of Honor
The Primary responsibility of the Maid of Honor is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out the bride's way. It will be
your responsibility to help the bride plan her wedding with her tastes in mind…not your's. Please Remember, this is not
your wedding.
Attending all prenuptial parties. Help address invitations and announcements. Host a shower for the bride. Be sure that bridesmaids
are kept aware of their fitting appointments, rehearsal obligations and any special duties that the bride may wish for them to do.
Assist bride with her train during ceremony and in the receiving line. Witness and sign the Keepsake Marriage Certificate after the
ceremony. State of Ohio Does not require witnesses on the Legal Marriage License anymore.
Hold the bride's wedding bouquet for the exchange of rings during the ceremony and hand it back just before the recessional. In a
double ring ceremony, carry the groom's ring until it is time to hand it to the minister.
Remember, this is the bride's day. Your job is to assist the bride and help her day be as carefree and special as possible. As a maid of
honor, you should set the tone among the women in the bridal party. Stay cool and never out shine the bride. It truly is an honor to serve
The Best Man's responsibilities
Make absolutely sure that the groom has the marriage license with him. The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the
bride's wedding ring. Receive the minister's fee from the groom and give it to the minister privately following the ceremony. 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.
It is the Best Man's responsibility to make sure the ushers are together and ready before the ceremony begins. Ushers escort Ladies to
their seats on their left arm (usher's left arm). The Ladies being escorted are followed by husbands. 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.
Check all the men's boutonnières. 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.
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.
Note about ring bearer: The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the Bride and Groom's wedding rings. However, many times
the couple will also want to have a ring bearer. We recommend that the "real" rings 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. Let's not forget our favorite: You can't get the rings
off the pillow because the knot is too tight!
Who Attends the rehearsal?
Rev Rich and I are often called and asked this question. It is a very important one.
Bride & Groom
Maid of Honor & Best Man
Bridesmaids (all of them) & Groomsmen & Ushers (all of them)
Flower Girl or Girls & her Parents. Ring Bearer & his Parents.
Parents of the Bride & Groom (and their significant others if parents are divorced)
GRANDPARENTS
Others you may wish to attend:
Photographer, Singer, Harpist, String Quartet, DeeJay.
The Primary responsibility of the Mother of the Bride is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out the bride's way. It
will be your responsibility to help the bride plan her wedding with her tastes in mind…not your's. Help the bride select her
wedding attire. Please Remember, this is not your wedding. If you find yourself talking the bride out of a gown she loves, you may
be overreaching.
Help the bride and groom decide on a wedding budget. Settling money issues upfront is always best. A good clear budget will help
everyone with their expectations. You may choose to only admitting 85% or 90% of what you have to spend. Reserving an unknown
(unknown to Bride & Groom that is) 10% to 15% and keeping it under your hat so to speak, can be a lifesaver!. This way when the
Bride is upset over a last minute unexpected expense you have it covered!
In the event that the Mother of the Groom does not contact you, you will make the first contact. See that the guest lists are put together.
The invitations must be ordered as soon as possible, and the guest list must be completed before making your invitation order.
Select your gown for the wedding day. Immediately tell the Mother of the Groom the colors and style so that she may begin looking for a
complimentary gown. Send a swatch of material or e-mail a picture to the Mother of Groom if unable to meet in person for lunch!
Mother of the Groom
The mother of the groom is often at a loss as to exactly what role she plays in the marriage of her son and the planning of the pending
wedding.
The Primary responsibility of the Mother of the Groom is to see that the Bride & Groom's wishes are carried out the their
way. Please remember...This is not your wedding. It will be your responsibility to keep in mind the Bride & Groom's tastes...not
your's. This is not your wedding! First upon receiving news of the impending nuptials is to initiate contact between the families.
Introducing yourself and your husband to the bride's parents is your first order of business. This may be as simple as making a call to
the bride's mother and telling her how happy you are about the engagement, offering a informal invitation to lunch, or a dinner at your
home. If preferred, lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant is a perfect choice. This may be with or without the engaged couple in
attendance. If the parents live far away, a friendly letter is appropriate.
Providing an accurate and timely guest list can neither be over emphasized, nor the importance of sticking to the guidelines given her as
to the number of guests she many invite. Remember to include zip codes with addresses.
It is the bride's mother who will first select a dress for her daughters wedding. A gown of complimentary color and similar styling is then
chosen by the mother of the groom. She must wear long if the bride's mother wears long or short if she wears short. The color should
not match the bridesmaids, nor the brides' mother, but compliment both.
It is the responsibility of the groom's parents to host the rehearsal dinner. This can be as simple as a barbecue, with paper
plates in the backyard or as elaborate as an exotic dinner with live entertainment in the finest restaurant. Everyone who takes a part in
the ceremony is invited to the dinner. It is proper etiquette to invite the spouse or significant other of those participating, and the parents
of children in the wedding.
Maid of Honor / Matron of Honor
The Primary responsibility of the Maid of Honor is to see that the bride's wishes are carried out the bride's way. It will be
your responsibility to help the bride plan her wedding with her tastes in mind…not your's. Please Remember, this is not
your wedding.
Attending all prenuptial parties. Help address invitations and announcements. Host a shower for the bride. Be sure that bridesmaids
are kept aware of their fitting appointments, rehearsal obligations and any special duties that the bride may wish for them to do.
Assist bride with her train during ceremony and in the receiving line. Witness and sign the Keepsake Marriage Certificate after the
ceremony. State of Ohio Does not require witnesses on the Legal Marriage License anymore.
Hold the bride's wedding bouquet for the exchange of rings during the ceremony and hand it back just before the recessional. In a
double ring ceremony, carry the groom's ring until it is time to hand it to the minister.
Remember, this is the bride's day. Your job is to assist the bride and help her day be as carefree and special as possible. As a maid of
honor, you should set the tone among the women in the bridal party. Stay cool and never out shine the bride. It truly is an honor to serve
The Best Man's responsibilities
Make absolutely sure that the groom has the marriage license with him. The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the
bride's wedding ring. Receive the minister's fee from the groom and give it to the minister privately following the ceremony. 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.
It is the Best Man's responsibility to make sure the ushers are together and ready before the ceremony begins. Ushers escort Ladies to
their seats on their left arm (usher's left arm). The Ladies being escorted are followed by husbands. 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.
Check all the men's boutonnières. 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.
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.
Note about ring bearer: The Best Man has the responsibility of carrying the Bride and Groom's wedding rings. However, many times
the couple will also want to have a ring bearer. We recommend that the "real" rings 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. Let's not forget our favorite: You can't get the rings
off the pillow because the knot is too tight!
Who Attends the rehearsal?
Rev Rich and I are often called and asked this question. It is a very important one.
Bride & Groom
Maid of Honor & Best Man
Bridesmaids (all of them) & Groomsmen & Ushers (all of them)
Flower Girl or Girls & her Parents. Ring Bearer & his Parents.
Parents of the Bride & Groom (and their significant others if parents are divorced)
GRANDPARENTS
Others you may wish to attend:
Photographer, Singer, Harpist, String Quartet, DeeJay.
Ohio Clergy Services - Elyria Wedding Minister ® Non-Denominational Wedding Ministers Serving All of Ohio - At your Location of choice! We are currently Accepting Reservations for Wedding Dates in 2007 & 2008. Deposit Required PH: 440-324-4047 |
| We Welcome Last Minute Ceremonies! Call: 440-324-4047 Ministers Hours 9 AM - 9 PM Sunday - Saturday. |
| Etiquette |
