Attire - BrightWeddingIdeas.com

Selecting your bridesmaids and groomsmen is a joyous duty, but sometimes it can be overwhelming. These people have shared in your good times and bad with equal love and support. When selecting your attendants, keep in mind their basic personalities and abilities. It is important to make sure people you have in mind have the ability and the willingness to perform those functions.

Also, consider bridesmaids' or ushers' financial means, as they would incur travel (if they are coming from out of town) and normal expenses (e.g. attire).

Lastly, the more people you have in your bridal party, the more difficult it will be to coordinate fittings, events and schedules. It'll also cost you more in gifts, flower bouquets and dinner expenses after rehearsal.

The Maid of Matron of Honor. She is someone who has shared in both the joys and sorrows of your life. During the wedding planning, she has the responsibility to help you with wedding tasks and duties (e.g. help with various details, host a shower for the bride, sign the wedding certificate as a legal witness).

Bridesmaids. There is no definite rule on the number of bridesmaids you should have, although having more than eight is unusual. For semi-formal or informal wedding, two-to-four is common. These would be your close friends you've known for a while. Their responsibilities often include having shower for the bride, hosting a bachelorette party, attending the rehearsal.

Best Man. He is the counterpart to the maid or matron of honor. Typically, he is grooms' best friend, brother or relative. Like the maid or matron of honor, he'll be helping the groom with important organizational activities and needs to be dependable. Some of the key responsibilities include delivering officiant's fee before or after the ceremony, sign the wedding certificate as a witness, dance with the bride and maid of matron of honor, organize the bachelor party, etc.

The Ushers or Groomsmen. Similar rules as those for bridesmaids apply here. One usher for every fifty guests is a good rule of thumb. It is best to balance the number of ushers against that of bridesmaids. They help with such tasks as distributing wedding service programs, directing the placement of wedding gifts, unrolling the aisle carpet, decorating the getaway car, etc.

The Flower Girl. She is typically four to nine years old and usually walks down the aisle scattering flower petals for the bride to walk on.

Other important attendants include ring or train bearer, mother of the bride, father of the bride, groom's parents.

You will need to thank all of your attendants for the help they provided in your wedding planning and making it go smoothly. The gifts of gratitude is usually given to them at the rehearsal dinner or bachelor or bachelorette party.

Attire

Have you ever been a bridesmaid forced to wear a dress you didn’t like? Below are wedding ideas on how to cost-effectively help your bridal party get their attire while keeping everyone happy.

Attire Idea: Why not consider letting your bridesmaids choose their own dresses. You can choose the color and they can choose the style of their dresses.

Attire Idea: As a bridesmaid gift consider purchasing earrings and/or necklaces or other jewelry that can be worn during the wedding as well as after.

Attire Idea: Consider having a small number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. It is much easier to coordinate, less stressful and would save you money on flowers for the bridal party, gifts, and rehearsal dinner.

Attire Idea: If you bought your dress from a bridal store that also rents tuxedos consider renting tuxedos from them. Stores often offer discounts on tuxedo rentals if you bought your dress from them. If you don’t see the discount, ask for it!

Attire Idea: For semiformal wedding consider having the groom and groomsmen wear a basic black suit, which can be worn again after the wedding. Same with shoes: they don’t have to be fancy and could be a pair he can wear for years thereafter.

Attire Idea: Groomsmen gift can be a color coordinating tie that can be worn during the wedding and thereafter.

Related Sites:

Pfaltzgraff Gift Registry - per Bridal Guide Magazine's 2003 survey, six of the top ten bridal registry patterns are Pfaltzgraff. Founded in 1811, Pfaltzgraff is one of the most popular gift registries on the Internet.
Personalized Wedding Gifts from PersonalizationMall.com
Personalized Wedding Gifts (from Personal Creations)
Spa Wish Gift Certificates (a great gift to say "Thanks for making my wedding special" to bridesmaids, Mom and Mom-In-Law. They can use their certificates before or after your wedding — at any spa they choose, for any services they desire).

WEDDING GIFT suggestions for your bridal party:

For her: gift certificate to a spa (try SpaWish.com), a beauty kit, perfumes, jewelry, purse, pajamas.

For him: A tie that coordinates with your wedding color, cuff links, bar accessories set, toiletry or shave kit, martini shaker or glasses, golf balls, desk clock.

Unisex: One-month subscription to Netflix.com, tickets to a sporting event, nice bottle of wine, coffee or tea basket, or an elegant pen.

Also, consider:

Personalized wines for weddings. Create a lasting memento with fine wines personalized for your wedding day.