Bridesmaids Duties Explained

• Offer to help with pre-wedding activities. Target a specific task to help with, such as scouting out honeymoon locations, vendors, favor ideas, etc.
• Help plan and co-host the bachelorette party and bridal shower. Consult with the other bridesmaids and stick to the plans you form together. I speak from experience- it really sucks when someone is supposed to do something for the shower and then shows up late, or not at all, and without completing their task. Work together and make sure no one member of the party is pulling more weight than the other.
• The Maid of Honor is generally in charge of keeping track of all the gifts received at the showers and parties, but anyone can help her out.
• Keep track of RSVP lists
• Attend the rehearsals- both ceremony and rehearsal dinner
• Run last minute errands, both for yourself, and for the bride.
• On the day of the wedding, confirm flower delivery times, greet the officiant, satisfy junk food cravings, make sure the bride doesn't drip toothpaste on her dress--- anything at all to help out!
• If the bride asks you to, stand in the receiving line.
• Surve as a fellow hostess at the reception- introduce guests, point them to the bar, make sure they sign the guestbook, etc.
• Get the party started and keep it going by being on the dance floor as much as possible. 
• Accompany the bride on her trips to the restroom
• Help bustle the bride's train
• Purchase a wedding present, perhaps with other members of the bridal party
• Provide any emotional support during planning and on the big day
  

Maid of Honor Duties

• It's quite an honor to be asked to be the MOH... And quite a duty. Next in line to the bride, you are in charge. Keep bridesmaids informed of all details, make sure they get their attire, etc.
• Offer to help with all pre-wedding activities.
• Inform everyone where the bride and groom are registered.
• Help host the bridal shower.
• Attend all pre-wedding activities.
• Keep a record of all gifts received at various showers.
• Help plan the bachelorette party.
• Make sure all bridesmaids get to the rehearsal... Coordinate travel and lodging.
• Make sure all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, get to the ceremony on time, and have their assigned bouquet.
• Put the Groom's ring on your thumb to hang on to until the proper moment during the ceremony.
• Arrange the bride's train and veil pre-ceremony and just after she arrives at the alter. Also, help the bride bustle her train during the reception.
• Hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
• Sign the marriage license as a witness.
• Stand next to the Groom during the receiving line.
• During the reception, direct guests where to sit, where to put presents, ask them to sign the guestbooks, direct them to restrooms, etc.
• Collect any gift envelopes and store them in a safe place.
• Make sure the bride eats something and be available to refill her drink.
• Toast the couple after the best man.
• Help the bride change for  the honeymoon. Take charge of her gown, post-reception, putting it in a safe place.
• Keep the bride laughing.
• Listen, and be involved in all planning aspects.
  

Bridesmaid Wedding Day Schedule
This sample schedule is per The Knot, and for a 6:30 PM ceremony. Adjust accordingly... Cut corners if needed... You get the idea.

• 8:30 AM: Wake up. Check in with the frantic bride to be. Get coffee in her, pronto. And yourself while you're at it. 
• 8:45 AM: Grab a bite to eat. DO NOT skip breakfast. You will need the energy the breakfast will provide.
• 9:15 AM: Take a moment to have a quiet moment by yourself to collect your thoughts and brace yourself for the day to come.
• 9:45 AM: Shower. 
• 11:00 AM: The Maid of Honor should be meeting up with the bride, completely prepared with the bridal emergency kit, dress steamer, aspririn, cigarettes (Gabe smokes Capri Menthol!!!), favorite CDs (May I request some of Gabe's favorites: Norah Jones & Lenny Kravitz).
• 11:30 AM: Bride and Maid of Honor should meet with the beauticians. Bridesmaids should confirm limo/car service pick up and drop off times, bouquet deliveries, and any other day-of services.
• 12 Noon: You should be with the bride by now. With dresses and all the components of "something borrowed, something blue".
• 12:30 PM: Hair and make-up begins. Maid of Honor is the first one to get pampered. Help the bride out by making her laugh, and offer to help fold programs, assemble favors, pack for the honeymoon, etc. 
• 1:30 PM: The Bride's mom should bring in her gown. Help remove it from the garment bag (watch any lipstick-coated lips near the miles of white material!) 
• 2:15 PM: Groom's Mom and Sisters arrive, if not already part of the wedding party. 
• Confrim that the bride has brought all her necessary gear- jewelry, garter, etc.
• Review what will happen with the bride's gown and bouquet after the ceremony. 
• 2:30 PM: Eat lunch. The bride may take this time to present the bridesmaids gifts. The bridesmaids can also present her with the group gift. The Something Borrowed, Something Blue Components should be presented at this time.
• 3:15 PM: This is the bride's time... Her time to be pampered. Help each other to get dressed.
• 4:00 PM: Receive, inspect and distribute bouquets. Greet photographer's assistant when they show up for pre-wedding photo's.
• 5:00 PM: Greet photographer and videographer.
• Tell bride to visit the restroom one last time
• Lay out hosiery, undergarments, slip, petticoat, garter and gloves.
• 5:20 PM:Help the bride into her gown. Help her into her shoes. Help her into her jewelry. 
• If you are the Maid of Honor, slip the Groom's ring on your thumb and DO NOT lose it.
• 5:45 PM: The Father of the Bride arrives. He, the Bride, the Bride's mother and the Maid of Honor depart for the ceremony. 
• 6:00 PM: Bridesmaids, Groom's Mom and sisters depart. 
• 6:10 PM: The Maid of Honor should meet with the officiant with the bride, groom, and best man to sign the marriage license.
• 6:20 PM: Prelude begins.
• 6:30 PM: Ushers begin seating important family members, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles
• Officiant walks down the aisle and takes his place.
• Groom and Best Man follow
• If there is an aisle runner, two groomsmen should roll it out.
• 6:35 PM: Processional starts. Take your places.
• 6:40 PM: Proceed. Stand tall, walk gracefully and slowly.
  

Bridal Emergency Kit
The Maid of Honor should gather these items and stash them in a tote bag, stored in an out-of-the-way-but-easy-to-access-location during the reception.

Essentials	Must Haves, at All Times,for the Maid of Honor	Optional Items
Pain reliever of choice Band-aids Bottle of water Chalk (to cover up any smudges or smears on bride's dress) Clear nailpolish (to cover up stocking runs) Corsage Pins Eye Drops Extra Cash Extra Earring Backs Hair Pins/Ponytail Holder Hand Towelettes Hem Tape Matches Mini-Sewing Kit Safety Pins Sctoch Tape Sedatives (???) Small Folding Scissors Smelling Salts Spot Remover Static-Cling Spray Straws (to prevent lipstick smears when sipping a beverage) Tissues Tweezers Wrinkle-Out Spray	Breath Mints Cell Phone Cologne Comb/Brush Dental Floss Extra Panty Hose Hair Spray Linen Handkerchief Make-up Mirror Nail File Tampons/Pads	Easy to carry snacks, such as granola bars Krazy Glue (to use for heel fixes, decorations, etc.) Nasal Spray Sun Block

Bridesmaids: When the Going Gets Tough, The Bridesmaids Can...

• Take care of the gift baskets for out of town guests. Include ideas for fun activities, relevant phone numbers, snacks, maps, etc.
• Take some of the stress away by doing a countdown to the big day. Leave the bride stress-reducing gifts, such as aromatherapy candles and lotions, bubble bath, etc. Make it fun and make it relaxing to remind the bride to slow down and enjoy herself.
• Offer to help out with favors for the rehearsal dinner.Either take care of it all-together, or offer ideas and offer assistance in assembling favors, if needed.
• Treat the bride to a day at a spa, or even a facial, manicure, pedicure, whatever. (I know Gabe LOVES pedicures)
• Send guests notecards and envelopes before the ceremony. Have them shower the bride with love and affection the week leading up to the wedding by mailing her a quote, poem, advice or best wishes written on the card.
• Make a collage of photographs, or a video, of old photos of the bride and groom and their friends and family. Present it at the rehearsal dinner.
• Keep the bride's glass full at the reception. She can't make it to the bar easily when she's greeting all her guests. (Gabe's order: Lambrusco. In a pint glass. With a straw)
• Take Polaroids at the reception and tuck the pics into the honeymoon luggage.
• Arrange for flowers or a fruit basket to be delivered to the honeymoon suite as a send-off from the brical party.
• Collect the disposable table cameras at the end of the reception and get the film developed.
• Take care of getting her gown to the cleaners after the wedding.
• Give her a journal to take on the honeymoon.
• If you choose to give a cash gift, have the money transferred to traveler's checks so that the couple can use the money on their honeymoon.
• Pack a "forget" bag for the honeymoon... Include items the bride might overlook, such as disposable cameras, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.
• Be the "end of party" girl--- collect the cake topper, champagne flutes, etc. Good luck. 
• Get doubles of any pictures you took during the day and leave them in her mailbox to greet her and her husband when they return from the honeymoon.
  
• Stock the bride and groom's kitchen with groceries so they don't need to worry about that when they return from their honeymoon.
  
• Write the bride a letter detailing some of your favorite moments of the wedding and how much you enjoyed yourself and how thankful you were to be a part of the big day.
• Write the bride a special poem about her and her groom. Read it at the bridal shower. Have it framed and matted.
• Plan an invitation addressing party, complete with food and music. Assign tasks of assembling the invites.
• Document pre-wedding events by putting together a scrapbook, or website (pat on my shoulder) 
• Give her a nice pre-wedding present- sexy lingerie to be used during the honeymoon.
  

Best Man Duties

• Be the Groom's Right-Hand Man... Be there for advice and for general help, both leading up to the big day and the day of the wedding. Obligatory comments about taking the plunge to be expected.
• Help the Groom out in choosing the formalwear and coordinate the other groomsmen's rentals. We know you guys hate shopping, but you just have to do this.
• Organize the Bachelor Party. The other groomsmen should be eager to help out. 
• Attend the rehearsal dinner.
• Stand beside the groom during the ceremony and hang on tightly to the bride's ring. 
• Make sure the groomsmen are doing their duties as well.
• Sign the marriage license after the ceremony
• Your shining moment: give the first toast during the reception 
• Collect any gift envelopes brought to the reception. Either keep the envelopes, or deposit them in the couple's account.
• Decorate the getaway car, with the help of the entire bridal party.

Groomsmen Duties

• Pay for your attire, well in advance.
• Attend all pre-wedding activities.
• Help plan the bachelor party.
• Help decorate the getaway car.
• Help seat guests.
• Guest of the bride sit on the left, guest of the groom, on the right 
• When a woman arrives, take her arm and escort her to her seat. Her escort will follow you.
• Always seat the oldest woman first if a group arrives together.
• Arrive 45 minutes before the ceremony to review any special seating arrangements.
• Help direct guest to restrooms and  the reception site.

Toasting Tips for the Best Man

• Introduce yourself with a brief description of how long you have known the groom. The crowd should get a feel for why the groom chose you to stand up for him as his best man. 
• Highlight moments from the years of your friendship. Fill your toast with funny, yet brief anecdotes that focus on your friendship with the groom. Humor works, so use it.
• Assure the bride that she has indeed picked an amazing man and partner. Talk about how she has changed the groom for the better. Mention that you are looking forward to the second act of your friendship with the groom, which involves both she and the groom in your life. 
• Best recommendation: The toast is essentially your own personal buddy flick - a testament to your friendship with the groom and all that that encompasses. Therefore, the best formula involves a lot of action (anecdotes) and humor, a little romance and a happy ending.
• Keep things PG-13. Sexual debauchery and illicit substanse abuse stories do not need to be shared with the bride's grandmother, uncle Fred, or anyone for that matter.
  

Father of the Bride Duties

• At the rehearsal dinner, toast the groom into the family
• Arrange for or provide out-of-town guest transportation from the airport and to and from the ceremony/reception
• Travel to the ceremony with your daughter and walk her down the aisle
• Stand in the receiving line beside your daughter
• Make a short toast or welcoming speech when the reception starts
• Dance with your daughter during the father-daughter dance
• Keep an eye on the bar and champagne supply during the reception and alert whomever is responsible for the supply to any shortages
• Stay until the end of the reception to sort out final bill payments
• Take time to remind yourself of what an incredible daughter you have raised