Wedding Attendants - Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

by Janet Verra

Bridesmaids are a group of ladies who accompany the bride throughout the wedding. The selection of bridesmaids can be done from family members, friends to colleagues. To be chosen as one of the bride's maids is an honor.

Traditionally, attendants such as bridesmaids, maid of honor, groomsmen, best man and others pay for their own apparels. Their chosen outfit should be the same in fabrics, as well as the colors. They may give a joint gift to the couple; for a group gift pooling money can be a great idea. The bride's attendants may also host a shower party for the bride. They should be excused, however, from providing shower gifts.

Giving shower gifts has been part of our tradition. In our ancient culture, dowry is required to be given to the bride at the time of the wedding. But sometimes, parents don't have enough wealth to give to the girl. In some cases, when a girl marries against the will of her parents, she is denied anything from her parents. In this situation, friends come to help the girl and a party is organized where all the guests have to bring something, which may include household items that can be very useful in their new home.

Typically, the maid of honor and bridesmaids joining forces to help the bride in pre-wedding preparations. They can help the bride set schedules for dress fittings or wedding day dressing arrangements. Also, they have to be present for any pre-wedding photographs. They are the ones who help the bride select accessories and ensembles for the rest of attendants. Group decisions will ensure the bride that everyone is pleased with the final choice. At the ceremony, on of the bridesmaids will hold the bride's bouquet. She has to arrange veil and costume too. The maid of honor can also sign the register as a witness of the ceremony.

The maid of honor and the best man are responsible for ensuring that all gifts are stored or removed from the hall after the ceremony. If the couple will immediately leave for their honeymoon, then the bridesmaids have to take care of their belongings and presents then transport them to the place which has been indicated by the bride. Also, they can take the bride's gown to the cleaner after the wedding.

Likewise with the groom's side. His groomsmen will take care and assist him in everything. They can help in his dressing. Traditionally, these guys have to pay any type of expenses from their own pockets. They can arrange their apparels together so that the fabrics and colors of all the men are the same.

Any traveling expenses can also be pooled together. Groom's attendants should make themselves available for the pre-wedding preparations, particularly during photo-shooting. At the reception, they can assist by seating guests, as well as guiding them towards the parking lot.

They can also perform a number of pivotal duties. For the best man, included in his duty is holding the rings during the ceremony. The groomsmen, however, should take care of groom's outfits after the party. They can assist the bride's attendants in assembling the gifts as well.

These people are truly vital in any wedding. Their support and effort are priceless, thus they deserve something from the couple. The bride and groom should be very thankful for having their attendants present, so they want to prepare thank you gifts for groomsmen, best man, maid of honor and bridesmaids. For males, engraved flasks, pocket knives, cigar accessories, and custom shirts are very popular, while personalized handbags, jewelry gifts, and engraved compact mirrors are popular gifts for female attendants.

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