On your wedding day, of course you’ll want to include all of your closest family members and friends. And many would love to help out on your big day. It’s safe to say, you’re probably looking for roles in a wedding ceremony or reception for your friends. Usually, those most important to you are chosen to be in your wedding party.
But what do you do if you have so many people that if you make them all part of the wedding party, you’ll end up with more people standing up with you than actually watching (or at least, seem that way)? Or what do you do if you prefer to have a super small (think Maid of Honor and Best Man only) wedding party? What other things can people do? It can be a challenge, but there are other wedding roles.
Roles in a Wedding Ceremony or Reception (That Isn’t the Wedding Party)
1. Ask them to be the host or hostess, and welcome guests as they arrive at your wedding venue, and help point out to guests the location of the restrooms, coat check, escort card table/seating chart, or anything else they may be needing.
2. Ask one or two direct guests to the guest book. Also have someone pass out programs and bubbles (or what ever you’re going to have your guests toss after the ceremony). You may think guests will automatically do this on their own. Some will, but most won’t, erring on the side of caution. (Hmmm, are we supposed to take that? Better not.)
3. Ask one or two to do readings at your ceremony. You’ve chosen readings that are special, make sure the reader is too.
4. Ask them to be an honorary member of the wedding party. Honorary wedding party members (possibly one of the easiest wedding roles) don’t participate in the processional nor do they stand up during the ceremony.
They don’t dress like the members of the wedding party either. In fact, they are guests with a special title. That’s all. You may want to give them a corsage or boutonniere, but that’s totally up to you.
[ctt template=”1″ link=”z1cUk” via=”yes” ]8 Other Roles For Friends In Your Wedding That Isn’t Part Of The Wedding Party[/ctt]
5. Ask one to be in charge of promoting your wedding hash tag if you have one. Your guests are bound to take pictures during your wedding. You’ll want to see the pictures. And your guests will want to see them too. Make sure they know how to easily share them.
6. Ask one or two to be in charge of the gift table. They can meet guests at the entry then take the gift to the table for them. They will also make sure any gift cards are placed inside of the card receptacle. (You’d be surprised at how many guests will just set the card on the table, often next to the card box, instead of securely in it). Be sure you have worked out a secure place for gifts as the reception proceeds.
7. Ask one or two to keep an eye on older guests to see if they need help with the beverage or buffet table.
8. Sure, your photographer will probably have an assistant, but they don’t know who Grandma or Uncle George are. Make sure you don’t miss anyone in group photos by having someone designated to round up family members when needed.
Sometimes, when trying to think of other wedding roles for friends or family members, the best role you can give them is ‘guest,’ a role where all they need to do is attend and have fun celebrating your wedding day.
What other wedding roles have you seen? Let me know in the comments below.
Photo Credits:
Bride with friends – Kenji Ross via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Signing the guest book – James Henry (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Gift table – Jarrod Lombardo via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for more ideas of how to enlist a friend ‘s desire to be a part of your wedding, or need help with your wedding plans?
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