WEDDING PARTY ETIQUETTE

Maid of Honor
Although she has no prewedding responsibilities, she is expected to assist the bride whenever she can.  She lends moral support and plays a big role in making sure the other bridesmaids are dressed to perfection and they all make it to the ceremony on time.  She is responsible for her own wedding outfit and pays for everything except the flowers.  She also attends all prewedding parties and may even give one herself.  The maid of honor is usually one of the witnesses required by law to sign the marriage certificate.  Walking down the aisle, she precedes you and your father, arranges your train and veil, carries the groom’s ring if there is no ringbearer, and holds your bouquet during the ceremony.  If you have a receiving line, she stands next to the groom and sits on his left at the head table.

Best Man
His duties are many and varied and carry a lot of responsibility to ensure the wedding runs smoothly.  The best man serves as the personal aide and advisor to the groom, supervises the ushers, carries the bride’s ring and the marriage certificate, which he also signs, and acts as a right-hand man to the groom on his special day.  If there's a head table, the best man sits at the right of the bride at and, as official toastmaster of the reception, proposes the first toast to the new couple, usually wishing them health, happiness, and prosperity.  His final duties are to ensure the new couple takes off for the honeymoon without a hitch and that all the ushers return their rented formal wear on time.

Bridesmaids
Although they don’t have any prewedding responsibilities either, it would be a nice gesture to help with any errands or duties that need to be accomplished.  They are invited to all prewedding parties and may also give one if they wish.  Traditionally they purchase their own attire.

Groomsmen/Ushers
Their responsibility is to seat guests at the wedding ceremony and act as escorts for the bridesmaids.  To avoid seating delays, there should be at least one usher for every 50 guests.  They also attend all prewedding parties the groom goes to and are required to provide their own wedding clothes, renting the proper formal attire if they do not own it.  As guests arrive, each usher should offer his right arm to each woman and escort her to her seat on the left or right of the aisle, depending on whether she is a friend of the bride or groom.

The Bride’s Mother
Your mother usually helps compile the guest list and helps with any other details you desire assistance with as well. It is her responsibility to keep the bride’s father and future in-laws informed about wedding plans.  She should also inform the groom’s mother of her wedding attire so that their dresses are similar in length and style.  The mother of the bride is privileged to sit in the very first pew on the bride’s side.  She is the last to be seated and the first to be escorted out after the ceremony.  She can also greet all guests in the receiving line and sits in a place of honor at the bride’s parents’ table at the reception.

Stepparents

If your parents are divorced or seperated, each set should host their own table at the reception.  During the father-daughter dance, partner with whomever you're closest to, or share a dance with each dad, one at a time.

If your close to both your father and step-father and they agree, have both escort you down the aisle, or have one walk you halfway and the other walk you the rest of the way.

The Bride’s Father
Your father escorts you down the aisle.  He is also seated in the first pew behind the bride during the ceremony and later stands in the receiving line greeting and thanking guests.  At the reception, he should dance the second dance with the bride and will usually make a short toast or welcoming speech to all the guests.

The Groom’s Parents
Your fiancé’s mother should be invited to all showers and both his parents should be included in the rehearsal dinner, if they don’t host it themselves.  They should also contribute to the guest list for the wedding and reception and may or may not offer to share expenses.  The groom’s parents are honored guests at the ceremony and are seated, just before your mother, in the first pew on the groom’s side of the aisle.