Coordinate the entire wedding with the help of her mother or a consultant.
Ceremony day and date, time, style and site.
Compile her guest list and eventually combines all lists.
Select officiant.
Ask maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids.
Shop for her gown, and wedding party attire.
Arrange bridesmaid's fittings.
Delegate duties to honor attendant and bridesmaids.
Plan a bridesmaid's luncheon or another person may choose to host one.
Arranges for lodging for out of town attendants and guests.
Select a special gift for her groom. (optional)
Together with the groom, talks with all the guests at the reception.
Send thank-you notes.
Groom's Responsibilities:
Discuss the budget with the bride, his family and the bride's family.
Helps to assemble his guest list.
Assists with planning as needed.
Selects best man and ushers.
Arrange for groomsmen fittings.
Assign groomsmen's responsibilities.
Plan the rehearsal dinner and the payment of the dinner.
Shop with bride for the wedding rings.
Select a special gift for his bride. (optional)
Secure all the necessary documents; marriage license; premarital counseling.
Reserve blocks of rooms for all the out of town guests.
Along with the bride, talks with all the guests at the reception.
Send thank-you notes.
Bride's Honor Attendant:
Assist the bride and groom with any needed pre-wedding tasks.
Attend all pre-wedding parties.
Help the bride dress for her big day.
Arrange the bride's veil and train.
Hold the bouquet and groom's ring.
Help the bride to change for the honeymoon.
May sign the marriage license as a witness
The Best Man:
Assist the bride and groom with any needed pre-wedding tasks.
Attend all pre-wedding parties.
Help the groom dress for his big day.
Hold the bride's ring during the ceremony.
Oversee the ushers.
Hand the officiant the fee in an envelope immediately after the ceremony.
May sign the marriage license as a witness.
Invitations: Before visiting the stationer, be sure to have the correct spelling of all the parents' and stepparents' names. This will help you avoid any unnecessary hard feelings. You may want to prepare a list with the wedding day, date, time, name and address of ceremony and reception sites, and the number of invitations. Invitations and announcements should be ordered at least six months before the wedding day allowing two - eight weeks for printing. Be sure to proof read and correct any errors before printing and after printing. Ask your stationer if you can have your envelopes in advance so you can address and stamp them to be ready to mail with the invitations. Be sure to order plenty of extra allowing for mistakes and keepsakes for yourself and parents. Mail invitations at least six weeks in advance of the wedding, eight weeks if your wedding is on a holiday. Estimate approximately 25 percent regrets, allowing you to invite others from your wish list.
Writing Thank You Notes: Firstly, be sure to write copious notes of all the gifts given during all the showers and the wedding. This will enable you to write good thank-you notes later. You may assign this task to one of your bridesmaids. Write thank-you notes promptly. Consider writing 10 a day so the task will be easier and not be overwhelming. It is recommended to write all cards within two to four weeks after your wedding day. You or your groom should hand write each note for every gift. He may want to write all the cards to his family and friends and vise versa. If gifts were received before the wedding date you should acknowledge them within two weeks of their arrival. When writing thank-you notes keep the following tips in mind:
Always name the gift.
Describe how you will use the gift.
Be sure to write a personal thought about how much you appreciate them attending your wedding, especially if they traveled.
Attendants' Gifts: To show your appreciation to each of your attendants for participating in your special day it is customary to give a small gift. These gifts should have lasting memories of your friendship and the wedding day. Usually the bridesmaids and ushers receive identical gifts and the honor attendants receive something different or more special.
Some examples:
Bridesmaid's gifts: jewelry, jewelry box; small music box with monogrammed initials; picture frames; vase pewter cups; desk clocks; perfume and soaps; makeup brushes/cases.
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