Halswell House Guide to Wedding Etiquette
The Bride
The bride selects the type of service.
She decides on her dress and the bridesmaid's attire.
The Bridegroom
The bridegroom selects the best man and ushers (if any).
He buys the ring and pays the church fees and venue fees.
He can also buy presents for the bridesmaids, best man and ushers as a gesture of gratitude for their help.
He buys flowers for his bride, bride's mother, his own mother, bridesmaids, and buttonholes for himself and the best man.
He arranges and pays for transport for himself and the best man and for the bride and himself after the wedding if required.
The Best Man
The best man is the bride grooms right hand man.
He keeps the ring and ensures the bridegroom gets to the church on time.
He pays the church and venue fees on behalf of the bridegroom.
He checks and ensures transport for all guests to the reception and that travel arrangements for the honeymoon are in order.
At the reception it is the best man's honour to read any congratulatory telegrams.
The Chief Bridesmaid
Assists the bride to dress, holds the bouquet during the ceremony and organises the other bridesmaids.
The Brides Father
The father gives the bride away.
He receives guests at the reception.
He pays for the wedding dress, bridesmaid's dresses, cars (except bridegroom's), photographs and reception flowers, invitations and press announcements.
The Brides mother
The bride's mother is traditionally in charge of all of the proceedings.
She decides on the guest list together with the bridegroom's mother.
She handles any catering arrangements and ensures the wedding cake is ready.
After the wedding ceremony, the bride's mother and father, together with the bride and the bridegroom and his parents, greet the guests at the reception.
