Choosing the members of your wedding party is one of the most significant decisions you will make and one of the first. To begin, you need to decide how big your wedding party will be. The bigger the wedding party, the higher the cost, so consider your budget when choosing how many members of the wedding party there will be. Next comes the sometimes tricky part. Who will be in your wedding party?
Your Maid of Honor & Best Man
Generally, your maid of honor and best man are siblings or best friends. These two will have more tasks than the rest of your wedding party and must be organized, kind, supportive, and reliable. Of course, fun and humor will be important as well. There are a few things to think of before making this choice. A maid of honor and best man are often relied on heavily to help prepare for the wedding, so before choosing, consider:
- Do your choices have time to assist you in preparing for your wedding?
- Do you feel calm and content when you’re around them?
- Can you count on them to follow through with any tasks you assign?
If you are unavailable to make a decision about a detail for your wedding, would you feel comfortable with the choice they would make?
What Are the Maid of Honor & Best Man’s Duties?
The best man and maid of honor roles come with a fair share of responsibilities. They help the couple with all elements of their wedding, from planning to helping choose attire. Here is a quick and easy breakdown of what each role is typically responsible for. Feel free to save these lists of bridal party roles to your phone to share them with those you ask to be your maid of honor and best man!
| 💐Maid of Honor — Before the Wedding | 🤵 Best Man — Before the Wedding |
|---|---|
| Have an early conversation with the bride to understand her expectations and how hands-on she wants you to be throughout planning | Discuss with the groom what he expects from you and where he needs the most help |
| Shop for the wedding dress with the bride; attend fittings and offer honest, supportive feedback | Assist in the selection of suits or tuxedos; gather groomsmen measurements and coordinate attire orders |
| Help the bride stay organized and relaxed; offer a calm presence during stressful planning moments | Offer to assist with the groom’s to-do list; check in regularly so he knows he has support |
| Serve as a point of contact for the bridal party; share your contact info with bridesmaids and answer questions so the bride doesn’t have to | Act as the point of contact for the groomsmen; keep them on track with fittings, rehearsals, and deadlines |
| Check in with each bridesmaid to ensure dresses are ordered and alterations are completed in time | Help groomsmen book travel and accommodations; coordinate room blocks or hotel reservations if applicable |
| Plan the bridal shower; coordinate the date, guest list, venue, and theme with the bride’s preferences in mind | Plan the bachelor party; tailor the event to what the groom actually wants — not just what sounds fun to you! |
| Plan the bachelorette party; rally the bridesmaids, set a budget, and choose a date that works for the group | Assist with any DIY projects the couple has planned for the wedding |
| Help organize and assist with any DIY projects the couple has planned | Create a Groom Emergency Kit with essentials like stain remover, a sewing kit, adhesive bandages, and pain reliever |
| Prepare a Wedding Emergency Kit with essentials like Aspirin, Band-Aids, nail polish, fashion tape, and a steamer | Attend the rehearsal; keep groomsmen focused and help finalize any last-minute details |
| Help choose the wedding music playlist | Keep the rehearsal dinner on track; give a short, warm toast to the couple |
| Attend the rehearsal; help coordinate the bridesmaids during the run-through and make sure the bride gets time to relax | Begin writing your best man speech well in advance — don’t leave it to the night before! |
| Begin writing your maid of honor speech; a heartfelt story about your friendship with the bride goes a long way | Confirm with the couple whether you will be handling payment to the officiant or tipping vendors on the wedding day |
| Keep a running list of wedding gifts received (starting from the bridal shower) to help the bride write thank-you notes later | Make sure the marriage license is in order; you’ll be signing it as a witness |
Maid of Honor Tip
Themed wedding events are always fun and involve great food, drinks, games, and decorations. You only need to invite some wedding guests to the celebrations leading up to the Big Day. For a bridal shower, for example, the guest list will be the bride, wedding party, and close family, including grandmas, aunts, cousins, and then her close friends.
Be sure to plan these wedding events so they are not too close to the wedding day or have too many to-dos. High stress levels can make these events no longer enjoyable.
Typical Maid of Honor & Best Man Duties During the Wedding
| 💐 Maid of Honor | 🤵 Best Man |
|---|---|
| Arrive early to help the bride get dressed; assist with hair, makeup, and any last-minute outfit issues | Help the groom and groomsmen get dressed; check ties, boutonnieres, and that everyone looks their best |
| Keep the bride relaxed, happy, and hydrated throughout the day | Keep the groom calm; offer reassurance and lighthearted support before the ceremony begins |
| Check in with vendors, the officiant, and the photographer to ensure everyone is on time | Welcome guests and help organize and lead the processional |
| Make sure wedding party members are on their best behavior and that no one causes the bride stress | Make sure groomsmen stay on schedule, on task, and are where they need to be at all times |
| Hold the groom’s wedding ring during the ceremony and pass it to the bride at the right moment | Hold the bride’s wedding ring (and both rings if there is no ring bearer) and present them for the exchange |
| Hold the bride’s bouquet during the vows; fluff the bride’s train as needed during the ceremony | Stand beside the groom at the altar throughout the ceremony |
| Offer to take candid photos during preparations and post them to social media if the bride desires | Handle payment to the officiant, if the couple has arranged this in advance |
| Sign the marriage license as a witness | Sign the marriage license as a witness |
| Give a heartfelt speech or toast at the reception | Give the best man speech at the reception — the highlight of the evening! |
| Keep track of gifts received; help transport cards and gifts safely at the end of the night | Assist with tipping vendors and handling any last-minute logistics at the end of the reception |
| Assist the bride if she changes into a send-off outfit; take charge of her wedding dress | Decorate the getaway car for the bride and groom’s exit after the reception |
Best Man Tip
Start writing your wedding speech early. Don’t leave it to the night before! The best speeches are heartfelt, brief (aim for 2–3 minutes), and strike a balance between humor and sincerity. A great formula: open with how you know the groom, share one genuine and memorable story that reflects his character, then shift the focus to the couple and why they’re perfect together. Close with a warm toast to the newlyweds.
When it comes to delivery, practice out loud at least a few times so you feel comfortable. On the wedding day, hold your notes (there’s no shame in it!) and speak slowly and clearly so every guest can enjoy the moment.
Selecting Your Wedding Party
Once you have chosen your maid of honor and best man, you can go on to select the rest of your wedding party. Traditionally, bridesmaids will attend the bridal shower and bachelorette party. They can also help with DIY projects you decide to tackle, such as making your own veil, wedding favors, or centerpieces. Of course, the groomsmen should also be ready to help with any tasks.
Both the bridesmaids’ and the groomsmen’s duties will be primarily on the wedding day. They will help you prepare for your big day and assist with any tasks needed so your day goes smoothly. You may want to assign a bridesmaid or groomsman to be an emergency contact if you feel the maid of honor and best man have their hands full already.
You and your partner will want to take some time to think through who your bridesmaids and groomsmen will be. There is a lot to consider, and here are some questions you will both want to ask yourselves:
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How involved do you want your wedding party to be during your wedding planning and on your wedding day?
If you expect a lot of involvement from your wedding party, you need to make sure you choose those who have time to help and who will be enthusiastic about the tasks you give them. You also want to be sure they are reliable. For example, if you ask a bridesmaid to arrange the flower delivery, it will be a problem if she forgets.
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Are you going to be putting a heavy financial strain on a friend or family member by asking them to be part of your wedding party?
If you expect the bridesmaids and groomsmen to purchase an expensive dress or rent a costly tuxedo, it may cause a lot of stress if your friend or family member struggles financially. Take into consideration what the total cost to your wedding party will be.
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Are you going to cause hurt feelings with your choices?
If you ask one sister and not another sister, will this cause emotional pain or resentment? While this is your wedding, and you need the people you want and can rely on in your wedding party, you don’t want to create a negative situation.
Communication is critical here. If you know someone you love is just too busy and cannot take care of the tasks you need to be done by members of the wedding party, explain that ahead of time. Let them know you are considering their circumstances and do not want to overburden them. Share that it does not reflect how close you feel to that person.
Your “Day of Decision Maker”
If you have a loved one who cannot be in your wedding party due to schedule or financial issues, you may ask if they can take on the role of your emergency contact on the wedding day. They can be the “Day of Decision Maker,” a critical role. This person will only have to commit to being available on your wedding day. They will ideally be onsite all day and know your plans and the wedding look you are designing.
This will be the person that the venue and any vendors will go to first to discuss a decision for questions that come up throughout the day. They don’t have to make every decision for you, but they should know you well enough to know when to come and ask the couple a question or to make the decision themselves.
Honest Communication is Key
Communicating honestly with those you are considering for your wedding party is critical. Once you decide who to ask to be part of your wedding party, the next step is asking your prospects. Prepare to be upfront about what time and financial commitments you feel there will be.
You may be wondering how to talk to your wedding party about expectations. At our venue, we provide couples with a “Last Minute Reminders” handout that you can share with their wedding party. Wedding party expectations should be discussed with each individual when asking them to be part of the wedding.
Everyone has different expectations of what they think people should do and how they should be involved in the wedding. Set up a detailed list ahead of time and go over everyone’s roles when asking them to be part of the wedding so they don’t feel surprised when asked to take care of certain tasks. Also, they can humbly decline if these are duties they don’t think they can fulfill successfully.
It would not be fair for any of you if someone says, “Yes, I would love to be your bridesmaid!” and then when they find out that you expect them to tour venues and make wedding favors when they don’t have the time it can cause frustration on both sides. You don’t want your friend or family member to be embarrassed or upset down the road, and you definitely don’t need the stress of finding someone else to take their place.
Just as you need to be honest when telling people what you need from them, don’t be disappointed if someone you ask lets you know they can’t handle what is required. Honesty is best, so nobody is surprised or let down. You want to keep the preparation for your wedding and your wedding day as stress-free as possible.
Your Rehearsal Dinner
Your entire wedding party is there to support you and celebrate your union. You will see all your planning and hard work coming together during your rehearsal dinner.
At this dinner, your wedding planner can show your family and wedding party where they will enter, when they will walk down the aisle, and where they will sit or stand. To make these plans easy, use the Rough & Ready Wedding Ceremony Rehearsal Guide, which you can download for free and fill in with your wedding details.
Outdoor Wedding Tasks
If you have an outdoor wedding, you may want to put your bridesmaids and groomsmen in charge of ensuring that your signs and décor have not blown over. In addition, you can have them help guests take advantage of any available sunscreen, parasols, or fans.
Another task you might assign groomsmen or bridesmaids is to escort guests to their seats and greet guests. You could even put your flower girl and ring bearer in charge of picking up napkins or other paper products that may have blown off a table. None of these tasks should take up much time, but it can be helpful to know you don’t have to worry about these details.
Bridal Party Roles: Making Sure You’re Pampered, Loved, and Joyful
The support from your wedding party will carry through to your special day. Don’t be afraid to ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to assist with tasks such as:
- Ensuring décor is in good shape. If the day is breezy, signs and other items may blow over.
- Hand out any items you have for guests, such as fans, parasols, or water.
- Greet guests.
- Ensure everyone at the wedding feels included.
- Make sure all guests get their wedding favors when exiting.
- Keep the fun and energy up and the reception on track.
Most importantly, enjoy every moment of planning your wedding with your wedding party, experiencing your rehearsal dinner, and the joy and love on your wedding day. The members of your wedding party are there to support you and celebrate the love you two share as your future begins as a married couple.
Rough & Ready Vineyards Wedding Venue
Couples often rave about how easy Rough & Ready Vineyards makes wedding planning. Our clear, all-inclusive wedding packages and the Something Borrowed Barn ensure there are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
Our packages cover the essentials, including setup and cleanup. We provide and arrange tables, chairs, and a dance floor for both your ceremony and reception, so you can focus on enjoying your day. We encourage couples to take full advantage of everything we offer. Let us make your wedding planning smooth from start to finish! Start by checking our available dates, exploring our pricing, or booking a complimentary tour.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 24, 2022, and has since been updated.
Mardie has been a successful businesswoman since 1981. The Rough & Ready Vineyards was created out of Mardie’s desire to contribute to the community. Mardie's vision to serve the community is rooted in her love of Nevada County, and it provided her with the opportunity to revitalize an old Ranch property into a breathtaking wedding venue.
Her innovative mind and commitment to environmental accountability contribute in a positive way to our community and the surrounding area. With the Rough & Ready Vineyards, Mardie seeks to create the best wedding experience for our clients and their guests, creating memories that will last for generations.
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