HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BRIDAL SQUAD

Choosing who will be standing by your side on your wedding day will need to be taken with some careful thought and discussion with your partner.

Your close family and friends will probably be hoping or assuming they will be asked, so choosing who to ask can be a bit of a nightmare, and you may be worried about upsetting someone. The key is to prioritise what is important, you can hopefully create a squad that will please everyone.

The best way to start is to write down a wish list of who you would like to ask to be matron of honour, bridesmaids, best man, groomsmen, or ushers, think of who would be most suitable to take on the role at your wedding. It may help knowing what responsibilities and duties traditionally expected of the wedding party.

Maid of Honour

The role of maid of honour is usually given to the bride’s sister or best friend. Choose your maid of honour carefully, as the role comes with a lot of responsibility. It is the maid’s duty to help with any pre wedding arrangements including helping the bride with some of the planning and preparations, accompany her when she shops for her wedding dress and to arrange the hen night. On the day itself, the maid of honour will support you and the bridesmaids and ensure everything runs smoothly and give you emotional support.

Bridesmaids

You can have two bridesmaids or several, it’s up to you. Traditionally your sisters and closest friends are chosen to be bridesmaids. A bridesmaid’s duties will include attending wedding dress fittings, rehearsals, looking after the flower girls, and walking down the aisle with you as part of the procession and standing with you at the alter until being seated for the ceremony.

Best Man

A groom will usually ask his brother or best friend to be his best man at his wedding. The best man will have a lot of responsibility, so you really need to think of who will be the best for the job. The best man will have the task of organising the stag do, help the groom get ready, keep the rings safe, great guests, stand with the groom at the altar and make a speech at the reception.

Groomsmen and Ushers

At a wedding the groom will have groomsmen who will be by his side just like the bridesmaids are for the bride. You may also wish to have ushers at your wedding. The general rule is that you need one usher for every 50 guests. The role of an usher is to escort guests to their seats and should traditionally escort ladies on their arm.

The ushers will also pass out Order of Service books, hymnals and carry out other duties at the ceremony.

Flower Girls and Page Boys

Flower girls and page boys are usually aged between four and eight years old. The role of the flower girls is to look pretty and walk down the aisle before the bride and her father. Flower girls sometimes carry baskets, and scatter rose petals along the way. The page boy will walk down the aisle carrying the wedding rings or will enter before the bride with the flower girls, holding hands with one of the flower girls to up the cute factor.