Wedding Duties & Responsibilities List

When in comes to preparing for a wedding, each member of the wedding party needs to know their duties so that the wedding day can run smoothly. Below I have outlined some of the responsibilities of the male members of the wedding party.

Groom Duties

The are many aspects of a wedding for the bride and groom to plan together, but there are certain duties that traditionally fall on the groom as follows:

• Select you wedding attendants (Best Man, Groomsmen, Ushers)
• Select the wedding attire for the male members of the wedding party (Groom,Best Man,Groomsmen, Ushers, Father of the Bride, Father of the Groom)
• Arrange fittings for the wedding attire for each attendant, make sure that this is done in plenty of time before the wedding in case there are any problems.
• Buy a gift for you bride and also gifts for the other men in the wedding party. This may just be your best man or groomsman, but it is now more common to buy a gift for everyone. It can be something as simple as a pair of wedding cufflinks.
• Plan the honeymoon.
• Organise a wedding photographer.
• Arrange transport to the ceremony and then to the reception for the whole of the wedding party.
• Get a marriage licence prepared (Don't forget this whatever you do!)
• If you are having a wedding rehearsal, prepare a toast.
• Prepare a speech for the speeches at the wedding reception.

Best Man Duties

It is an honour to be chosen as best man and it is therefore important that you know what you role is. The best man duties are usually as follows:

• Help the bride and groom with any planning they need done prior to the wedding.
• Arrange the stag / bachelor party and make sure the groom returns in one piece!
• On the day before the wedding, collect the wedding attire and make sure that everything fits for each of the wedding party members.
• On the day of the wedding, help the groom get ready and give him some last words of encouragement.
• Make sure the groom arrives at the wedding ceremony well in advance.
• At the ceremony assist with anything that needs done.
• Look after the wedding rings until the service.
• After the service you must witness the signing of the registrar and make sure any fees are paid.
• Escort the chief bridesmaid from the service.
• At the reception help with any problems that any guests might have and make sure that you take responsibility for any gifts or cards that guests have brought with them for the bride and groom.
• Give your speech during the wedding speeches.
• Dance with the chief bridesmaid during the first dance
• Make sure the bride and groom's transport is ready for when they leave.
• The day after the wedding collect each of the wedding suits and leave them back to the supplier.

Groomsmen Duties

Some people think being a groomsman is the best job you can have at a wedding, you get the kudos of being part of the wedding party but you dont have any responsibilities. Well think again. The groomsman must:

• Help the groom and best man with any pre wedding planning
• Help the best man organise the stag party.
• Attend the wedding rehearsal if there is one and possibly give a toast.
• On the morning of the wedding, give the groom all the support he needs.
• At the ceremony, you may sometimes be obliged to escort the mother of the bride or groom to their seat
• After the service, escort one of the bridesmaids down the isle.
• Attend and help out with organising the wedding photography.
• Possibly give a speech during the wedding speeches.
• Dance with a bridesmaid during the first dance.

Usher Duties

The ushers at a wedding may not have as many responsibilities as other members of the wedding party but they must still:

• Support the groom on the day of the wedding.
• Greet guests at the ceremony and escort them to their seats.
• Escort the mother of the bride or mother of the groom to their seats.
• Escort a bridesmaid down the aisle after the service.

Father of the Bride Duties

This is one of the biggest days in a man's life, watching his daughter get married, as such the father of the bride needs to ensure he knows what his role is, some of his duties are as follows:

• Supporting the bride and groom with any of their wedding planning, offering to pay where appropriate.
• Travelling with the bride to the ceremony and escorting her down the aisle.
• Greeting the guests at the wedding reception.
• Giving the first wedding speech.
• Dancing with the brides mother during the first dance.
• Ensuring that all of the guests at the wedding reception are OK.

Father of the Groom Duties

Although the father of the groom does not traditionally have as many responsibilities at the father of the bride, he still has several roles as follows:

• Help with anything the bride and groom need prior to the wedding and arrange for the two families to meet and get to know each other if they don't already.
• Help pay for the rehearsal dinner or wedding reception if deemed appropriate.
• Give support to the groom
• Give a short wedding speech if asked.