Wedding Party Roles - What Are They & Who To Fill Them?

Choosing who is a part of your wedding party, I know, is key to your wedding plans. In this post I am going to be talking all about what wedding roles there are, the possible tasks you can delegate and of course just who should fill your roles.

Photo: Amy Jordison Photography via Modern Fun & Relaxed Country Tipi Wedding

Wedding Party Roles – Who, What & Delegation

So let’s get started, shall we?

First up, I want to put this out there, do not feel that gender should influence who you choose to be a part of your wedding squad and don’t be afraid to choose different labels for your wedding party. There are no rules, this is your wedding.

Photo: Maddie Farris Photography via Simple & Unconventional Autumn Wedding in Mustard & Burgundy

Do You Actually Need A Wedding Party?

Let’s face it there is no need for anything when it comes to your wedding, other than of course the legalities. I could wax lyrical about this all day, but quite frankly, don’t feel like you have to do anything. You do you. If you just want your day to be about the two of you with no assigned roles, you do that.

If you want 20 bridesmaids and 20 groomsmen, the choice is yours. Never feel pressured to plan your wedding how you think you should or to please others.

Photo: Fox and Bear Photography via Warm Autumnal & Geeky Wedding with Board Game Centrepieces

What Wedding Roles Are There?

Shall we break down some of the wedding party roles and titles that you could use or that you may hear about?

Wedding Roles List

• Mother of the Bride
• Mother of the Groom
• Father of the Bride
• Father of the Groom
• Guardian of the Bride/Groom
• Step-Parent of the Bride/Groom
• Maid/Matron of Honour or Man of Honour
• Best Man or Best Woman
• Flower Girl or Junior Bridesmaid
• Ring Bearer or Page Boy
• Ushers/Groomsmen or Groomswomen
• Bridesmaids or Bridesmen

Who Should You Include In Your Wedding Party?

When it comes to deciding who to bring into your wedding fold, your intimate wedding party crew, choose those who you want by your side. Don’t choose someone for the sake of choosing them. Of course, it goes without saying you can’t change your family members or parents, but you can decide the tasks/responsibilities you assign them.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing your wedding roles:

• Are they your wing-woman/man through life’s adventures?
• Do they always support you and make you feel great?
• Is he/she your childhood/long-term friend who has always been a big part of your life?
• Do you have a great relationship?
• Do they lift you up and celebrate your wins?
• Are you there for them when they need support?
• Would you help them out and do them a favour if they asked?

That should get you really thinking about those around you that you would like to be a part of your wedding party.

Photo: Mallory Miya Photography via Coastal Chic Outdoor Wedding in Blue Hues

What Wedding Tasks & Responsibilities Are There?

There are so many traditional and modern roles you can give to your wedding party. You can also totally switch up who gets what responsibility, so don’t feel that you have to stick to what’s been done in the past.

• Escort for walking down the aisle
• Financial support
• Driving the transport
• Doing a reading
• Performing a piece of music
• Being a witness
• Scattering petals down the aisle
• Giving out the order of ceremony booklets
• Handing out confetti
• Helping to arrange group photos
• Wedding speeches at the reception
• Wedding planning assistance
• Pre-wedding party planning (hen/stag)
• Looking after wedding cards/gifts
• Ensuring the wedding guest book is signed
• Moving guests to different areas
• Announcing what’s next
• Looking after the rings
• Giving the rings to the couple
• Holding the hem of a long dress train
• Filling the dance floor
• Toasts
• Supplier liaison
• Paying suppliers on the day
• Ensuring suppliers are looked after/fed
• Moral support
• Night before/morning of wedding prep
• Wedding décor set up
• Wedding decor takedown/clear up
• Wedding rehearsal help
• Shopping trips
• Wedding event trips
• Menu tasting
• Crafting

That’s just a selection of the tasks you could think about asking some of your wedding party if they’d like to help with. It goes without saying that these aren’t always going to fit with your day or your wedding party. But it gives you an idea of the responsibilities that could be involved.

How To Choose Our Wedding Roles?

My best advice is to take some time out together and make a plan. Decide together who is going to be in your wedding party, the wedding role or responsibility you’d like to ask of them and then you can pop the question.

This takes away any confusion or consistency. Everyone knows where they stand and finds out their part to play at the same time. Plus you and your fiance(e) are then on the same page and can tackle questions together easily.

Photo: Georgia Rachael via Whimsical DIY & Intimate Wedding With Super Cool Style

Further Reading

• Bridesmaid Duties Checklist
• 101 Hen Do Ideas