Responsibilities

Thoughtful planning and delegation of work will make your special day one to remember for a lifetime.

Don't forget to bring your wedding license to church. No wedding can take place without it.

Ascertain clergyman and make reservations for church, or wherever the wedding is to take place.
Order invitations and announcements.
Make preparatory arrangements with photographer, florist, reception caterer, and the wedding cake baker.
Fabricate guest list.
Select bridal attendants.
Choose bridal costumes and decide on gowns for bridal attendants. (Bridal attendants pay for their own gowns).
Shop for bridal trousseau.
If it is a double ring ceremony, bride pays for the groom's ring.
Make accommodations for parents of groom, wedding attendants, and special guests if they live out of town.

Choose best man, groomsmen, and ushers.
File for license. See that all necessary papers required by church and state are ready.
Get wedding ring. (If you lubricate the ring slightly before the ceremony, it will slide on easier).
Figure out guest list for your family and friends.
Get gift for the future bride, and gifts for men attendants and ushers.
Pick out personal wardrobe for wedding and the honeymoon.
Plan with best man so car is available for a trouble-free get-away after the wedding.
Outline details for honeymoon trip. Make all necessary reservations early.
Plan the bachelor dinner. (Hold dinner no later than three days before the wedding).
Put the clergyman's fee in a white envelope and give it to the best man. Best man should hand it to the clergyman either before or after the ceremony - before preferred. The amount usually runs between $10.00 and $50.00 depending on how much time the clergyman has spent with the wedding and its preparation.
See that the best man and other men attendants are at the rehearsal AND ON TIME.

Be at rehearsal on time.
Listen to seating and other instructions so you know what to do.
Check lighting arrangement, location of switches so as to be familiar with them.
Pre-light candles so they'll light easy at the ceremony.
Be on hand at least one hour before the ceremony unless other time schedules have been made.
Remind groom of the wedding license.
Make sure aisle cloth is securely fastened and doesn't pile up.
Check markers for each person in wedding group to see if they are in place.
Know where gifts are to be received, and secure a lady or two to be on hand at the church door to receive gifts so guests do not have to leave there party to deposit them.
Instruct amateur photographers not to shoot during ceremony.
Offer right arm to women guests and escort them to seats. Gentlemen guests follow the ushers. The same with children.
At appointed time, draw out aisle cloth.
Straighten and spread out bride's grown as she starts up aisle.
The ushers, as a group or as individuals, often present a gift to the bridal couple.