Singaporebrides | Weddings 101
November 2023
The Essential Guide to Wedding Party Roles and Responsibilities
Understanding the essential wedding party roles and responsibilities will help you in the difficult task of selecting your (b)ride or die crew!
A wedding is a momentous occasion, a celebration of love, commitment, and the start of a beautiful journey together. One of the most cherished traditions in weddings is the inclusion of a wedding party. This group is usually made up of close friends and family members, who play significant roles in helping the bride and groom prepare for and celebrate their big day. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen aren’t the only people in your wedding party; your flower girl, your page boy, and your parents have important roles in the wedding and can be considered part of the wedding entourage too.
Of course, whom you choose to be part of your wedding is entirely up to you. Some couples opt for a mixed wedding party with a groomswoman or a man of honour, some have their pets be a part of it, and some don’t have a wedding party at all. Your wedding part is the group of people you want to include in your celebration, and they’ll be the ones supporting you as you prepare for the wedding, and helping you execute important tasks on the big day.
Before you choose who walks with you down the aisle, let’s explore the roles and responsibilities of a traditional wedding party, who should be included, and when to ask each person to be part of your special day.
Abigail and Brendan’s Enchanted Meadow Church Wedding by Highest Kite Weddings
Wedding Party Roles
Maid of Honour
The maid of honour is often the bride’s closest confidant and chief support system, such as a close sibling or a best friend. She assists in planning and organising the wedding as well as the events leading up to it, and offers emotional support throughout the wedding journey. The role of maid of honour is not to be taken lightly, as she plays an integral part in the wedding planning process, including helping the bride select her dress, organising the bridal shower, helping the bride with her veil and gown on the big day, and giving a maid of honour speech. You should ask your maid of honour as soon as possible after your engagement to ensure she can help with the early stages of planning.
Best Man
The best man is the groom’s right-hand man. He is responsible for providing unwavering support to the groom, organising the all-important bachelor party, and, most notably, ensuring the wedding rings are safe and ready for the ceremony. The best man is also expected to give a wedding speech. It’s customary to ask your best man as soon as possible after getting engaged, as his role extends throughout the entire wedding planning process.
Tabitha and Sean’s White Wedding at Raffles Hotel Singapore and Min Jiang at Dempsey by Fiona and Dan from Smittenpixels Photography
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids are chosen to stand by the bride’s side, offer emotional support, and help with various pre-wedding tasks. While traditionally the bridal party was made up of only women, today, mixed-gender bridal parties with bridesmaids and bridesmen are growing more common. They’ll be tapped to help with wedding prep tasks such as preparing wedding favours, and planning the hen’s party.
On the wedding day, the bridal party will walk down the aisle ahead of the bride, traditionally paired with the groomsmen. They’ll often have other responsibilities such as manning the reception table, ushering guests to their seats, or playing the part of gatekeepers during a Chinese gatecrash. These friends and family members should be asked to join your bride tribe shortly after you’ve chosen your maid of honour. This gives them time to plan, budget, and prepare for their roles in the wedding.
Groomsmen
Groomsmen are selected to assist the groom with various pre-wedding preparations, offer emotional support, and stand by his side during the ceremony. They may help with tasks such as planning the bachelor party or whatever the groom may need. They’ll also be expected to down questionable food and perform undignified acts in the name of brotherhood during the Chinese gatecrash.
On the wedding day, groomsmen escort the bridal party down the aisle and stand next to the groom. They may also help usher guests, coordinate with vendors, act as security for any wedding angbao, and be called upon to yell “yamseng!” during the champagne toasts.
As the counterpart to the bridal party, the number of groomsmen typically matches that of the bridesmaids. It’s recommended to invite groomsmen shortly after you’ve asked your best man, so they can also play a part in planning and preparation.
Katrina and Naresh’s Sunshine Yellow Wildflower Wedding at The Alkaff Mansion by Lydia K Photography
Flower Girl
One of the most adorable people in your wedding party is the flower girl. She traditionally scatters flower petals as she walks down the aisle, symbolising purity and new beginnings. It’s essential to ask the flower girl a few months before the wedding to give her parents ample time to prepare her for the role.
Page Boy or Ring Bearer
The counterpart to the flower girl, the page boy is often a young boy who carries the wedding rings down the aisle. It’s ideal to ask the ring bearer a few months before the wedding to ensure he’s comfortable with the role and has enough time to prepare.
Angie and Hoarng Perng’s Rustic Bohemian Wedding at Open Farm Community by Knotties Frame
Wedding Pets
Couples who have pets together may opt to include their furry friends, as a ring bearer, or even in lieu of human flower girls or page boys. They’ll certainly draw some smiles!
Parents of the Bride and Groom
The parents of the bride and groom are naturally involved in the wedding. They play a significant role in supporting the couple, and may have a lot to contribute to the wedding planning process.
On the wedding day, they’ll help you welcome and host your wedding guests. The parents of the bride will veil her, and the father of the bride traditionally walks his daughter down the aisle to give her away to the groom.
How Many People Should Be in the Wedding Party?
Selecting your wedding party is a deeply personal and meaningful process. It’s crucial to choose individuals who are not only important to you but also who can fulfil their roles with enthusiasm and support. Your wedding party will not only contribute to the success of your big day but will also create unforgettable memories with you as you embark on this exciting journey together. It’s completely up to you to decide how many people you want to stand up with you at your wedding, whether or not you want to include a flower girl, or even if you want to have a wedding party at all. Remember that the most important factor in selecting your wedding party is the love and support these individuals bring to your life and your wedding.
Credits: Feature image from Joy and Josh’s Summer Coral Wedding in The Surga Villa Estate, Bali by Jiwa Photography
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