WEDDINGS
life
Tips & Tricks
role, still need to be personable
and present a calm face to
the guests. Their morning
suit and buttonhole suggest
management, and indeed they
must be prepared to offer any
help required by the guests.
They should know where to
seat the guests in the church or
civil ceremony at the very least,
and later, at the reception, will
help to seat guests and fetch
gifts for key people who are
mentioned in the speeches.
The role of the chief
bridesmaid ought to be the
equivalent to that of best
man, though in reality her
role tends to be more of a
stalwart confidant to her
best friend, the bride. And to
look decorative, of course.
However, organising the hen
night/weekend (never the night
before the wedding) is a task
the bride will be pleased she
can take on.
But what about the role of the
mother of the bride? To some
extent this has changed, as
brides are marrying when they
are older and more financially
independent. With a younger
couple there is still a sense that
the wedding guests are guests
of the bride’s parents. Older,
better-off people, finance their
own wedding to a greater or
lesser extent so guests are their
own choice.
So the bride’s mother supports
her daughter, advises her on
dress and uses her greater
knowledge of behaviour at
formal occasions to offer
guidance. She is the first
person in the receiving line at
the reception.
When each person carries out
their role, the wedding runs
smoothly and memorably.
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net
- Choose a best man with
bags of personality.
- Chief bridesmaid
should keep a checklist as
thank-you notes for gifts
are sent.
- Keep all the supporting
players in the loop: they’ll
feel more able to offer to
offer to help.
- Parents, consider offering
a lump sum towards
the wedding so the cost
doesn’t run beyond your
capabilities
- Children aged 11 upwards
– if of a responsible and
outgoing nature – can make
excellent ushers. They’ll
feel more engaged with the
proceedings.
- Ladies, don’t assume
the principle men are
happy to wear the costume
you choose. Allow time
for gentle persuasion if
necessary.
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