It takes a village to create the perfect wedding, make sure you’re choosing the right village.

Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment, and having the right people by your side can make all the difference. While you and your future spouse are the stars of the day, family and friends play important roles in making the day special and memorable.

From the maid of honor and best man to the flower girl and ring bearer, family and friends can take on a variety of roles in your wedding. Whether it’s helping with planning and organizing, participating in pre-wedding events, or providing other kinds of services, involving loved ones in your wedding can make the day even more meaningful.

We’ve put together a list of the different roles family and friends can take on for your wedding day and how they can help make your special day unforgettable.

Maid of Honor and Best Man

 The maid of honor and best man are the bride and groom’s closest friends and/or family members. They play a significant role in the wedding planning process and are responsible for organizing pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and bachelor/bachelorette party. The best man and maid of honor also play a large part in the ceremony and reception by serving as an aide and support system for the bride and groom throughout the day. Oftentimes, these special figures provide the guests with entertainment during dinner in the form of touching (and slightly embarrassing) speeches and toasts. Your maid of honor will fluff your dress and hold your bouquet, she’ll strap on your heels and help you go to the bathroom during your reception! The best man is there to straighten your tie, pass you a beer, or give you a shoulder squeeze when the nerves settle in.

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Bridesmaids and groomsmen are close friends or family members who support the bride and groom throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day. They may help with planning, organizing, and decision-making, and they often participate in pre-wedding events and celebrations. Selecting your wedding party can often feel stressful. Check out our tips below to help with selecting who will stand by you on your wedding day.

• Consider the Relationship: Choose individuals who have played significant roles in your life and relationship. This could include siblings, close friends, or relatives who have been there for you through thick and thin.
• Think about Responsiveness and Reliability: Ensure that your chosen bridesmaids and groomsmen are reliable and responsive. They’ll need to be organized and willing to help with wedding-related tasks and activities.
• Consider the Size of Your Wedding Party: Decide on the size of your wedding party early on. A larger wedding party might mean more support but could also lead to complexities in decision-making and coordination. It’s also important to mention that the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen don’t have to be equal, so don’t select people to fill a quota! 
• Consider Financial Considerations: Keep in mind that being a bridesmaid or groomsmen can come with financial obligations, such as purchasing attire, attending events, and possibly contributing to wedding-related expenses. Make sure your choices are comfortable with these potential costs.
• Communicate Clearly: Once you’ve made your decisions, communicate your choices to your selected bridesmaids and groomsmen promptly. Be clear about your expectations and the level of involvement you anticipate from them.
• Don’t Feel Pressured: Ultimately, it’s your wedding, and you should choose individuals who you genuinely want to stand by your side on your special day. Don’t feel pressured to select someone just because of expectations or social norms.

Parents and Immediate Family Members

Parents are your biggest supporters during the wedding process! They play important roles in the wedding planning process and on the big day. They may help with financial contributions, offer advice and support, and participate in pre-wedding events like the rehearsal dinner! Not only does the father of the bride walk down the aisle, as guests of honor, the mother of the bride, the parents of the groom and the grandparents of both will be leading the procession at the beginning of the ceremony. To make the day extra memorable, try finding some personalized gifts to show your appreciation to your biggest supporters! For family members that have passed or couldn’t make it to the wedding, a special reserved seat or memento can make the day extra special. 

Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

The flower girl and ring bearer are typically young family members or the children of friends. Maybe you were a nanny or have their parents as mentors/friends! These kiddos play a special role in the wedding ceremony and those roles are a great way to include your nieces, nephews, or friends. But be warned, there is a high chance of cuteness overload (and maybe a little chaos!)

Ushers

Ushers are responsible for seating the guests at the ceremony and helping with any other tasks that may arise, like handing out programs. They are typically close friends or family members of the bride and groom. If you have family members or friends that aren’t groomsmen, but you still want them to be a part of your day, this is the perfect place for them! If you don’t have assigned ushers, groomsmen can always take over this role and help as well. 

Officiant

The officiant is responsible for performing the wedding ceremony. They may be a religious leader of your community. They can also be a friend or family member who is ordained. The more the officiant knows the couple, the more personal the ceremony will be. Seasoned officiants will likely have a preferred outline of the ceremony that you’ll be able to easily mold into your own. Officiants new to the role may need a little more guidance in creating a ceremony script that fits the couple.

Readers and Speakers

A speaker can be your maid of honor, the best man, the dads or whoever has a lovely or fun story about the bride and groom to tell. Readers are responsible for reading passages or poems during the wedding ceremony and are another great way to include other friends or family members that you want to include in your big day. However you decide, make sure to have your tissues ready! These heartfelt readings are sure to be emotional moments during your ceremony!

As you see, there are many ways to include friends and family in the wedding day itself or during the process beforehand. With the stress that can go along with a once-in-a-lifetime-event like this, there is no better feeling of having the comfort and the support of your closest family members and friends. As Elizabeth, one of our brides used to say: it takes a village to raise a child… It also takes a village to create the perfect wedding. Remember, at the end of the day it is about you and your marriage! Make your choices and do not apologize for them!