Tips on choosing your bridesmaids

Size
The more people you choose to be a part of your bridal party, the more opinions you will have to consider. It will be that much more difficult for you to schedule events and fittings and could therefore end up being more expensive for you.

Deciding
Chose family over friends, friendship will come and go but family will be a part of your life. In addition, friends will understand if they are not chosen because of the family obligation. Decide how much work you expect from your bridesmaids and choose people who you know will be happy to help you. There are many other ways to honour those who are close to you beside s asking them to be placed in your wedding party. Friends can usher, sing, play an instrument or read during your ceremony.

The maid of honour
The maid of honour is mainly the sister/best friend whom the bride considers her closest and most beloved acquaintance. The maid of honour's main duty is to stand by the bride's side and be there to help with anything she may need. The maid of hono u r is aide and confidante to the bride, sharing as many pre-wedding chores as she can. On the wedding day, she sees to it that the attendants are dressed as they should and if there is no professional dresser, she helps the bride with her dress, hair and make up. The maid of honour is the witness by law and can even sign the marriage certificate. In the receiving line the maid of honour stands next to the bridal couple. She sits on the groo m's left and helps the bridal couple.

She hold s the ring and the bouquets for the bride and accompanies her to a washroom to freshen up and holds the train of the bride's gown. The maid of honour's financial obligations usually include paying for her attire which may include not only her dress but chosen shoes, jewellery and other accessories.

Maid of honour responsibility
The main role of the maid of honour is to help the bride with the wedding planning. This can include shopping for dresses , addressing invitation etc.
Help the bride get ready for the wedding.
Adjust her veil and train before she walks down the aisle.
Hold bridal bouquets during the wedding.
Hold the groom 's ring till the time of exchange.
Signing the marriage certificate.
To assist the bride in freshen ing up.
Help the bride with whatever else she may require .

The bridesmaid
Being the bridesmaid holds very similar responsibilities to that of a maid of honour. These attendants are usually also close friends or family members of the bride or sometimes even of the groom. Bridesmaids should be willing to help the bride with a variety of tasks including addressing invitations and helping in any way that the bride may ask. On the wedding day, bridesmaids stand in the receiving line if the bride requests. During the first dance, the bridesmaid accompanies the ushers for the dance at the reception. The bridesmaid will lead the bridal couple to the reception site.

The junior bridesmaid
This is a special category reserved for the girls who are too old to be flower girl and too young to be bridesmaid. They simply walk in the procession.

The flower girl
The flower girl precedes the ring bearer in the procession, strewing petals from the baskets she carries. She should be between three to eight years old. Her dress should compliment the bridesmaid 's attire or it may be white if the bride chooses. At the conclusion of the ceremony the flower girl follows the ring bearer in the procession.

The best man
The best man is usually the best friend/brother/cousin of the groom . He must be prepared for anything and be willing to help the groom solve any problem or organize the bachelor's party. He must make sure the groom reaches the ceremony on time. Of all the attendants, the best man carries the greatest burden of duties and responsibility. If there is no ring bearer, the best man keeps the ring until he hands the ring to the groom at the appropriate moment in the service. The best man can also be the witness and sign the wedding certificate. At the reception the best man sits toward the bride 's side. He can also make a toast to the bride and groom.

The Best man's responsibilities
Getting the groom to the church on time.
Holding the rings.
Giving the toast to the bride and groom (if required).
Host the bachelor 's party.
Co-ordinate ushers ' activities on the wedding day.
Help the groom dress up.
Make sure the honeymoon packing has been done.
Pay off the officiates and other vendors.
Help in the co-ordination of the ceremony.
Help the groom before the wedding.
The best ma n's responsibility depends largely on who the best man is and how much responsibility and other tasks you would like him to perform.

Ushers
The groom 's ushers are basically his relatives or friends. The responsibilities of the ushers are to coordinate the entire ceremony and the wedding reception. It is the u shers who decorate the wedding car.

Ring bearer
The ring bearer is a small boy between the age of three and seven who carries the wedding ring on a white satin or velvet cushion. The ring bearer traditionally wears a white or navy suit of short pants and an Eton jacket. Miniature tuxedoes or castaways are in poor taste.

The page
Pages should come in pairs as they are basically needed only if your gown has a cathedral train. Their sole duty is to carry the train during the processional and recessional.