Welcome to the world of weddings! Navigating the vocabulary can be tricky, especially when it comes to building your wedding day crew. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on to learn more about the appropriate titles for everyone in your wedding party.
Wedding Officiant
This is the person who officiates your wedding ceremony. An officiant can be a religious figure, a civil celebrant, or an ordained friend or family member. Over 50% of couples opt for the personal touch of having a loved one marry them!
Attendants
Attendants is the general term for wedding party members who attend to you and your partner on your wedding day. This includes bridesmaids, bridesmen, groomsmen, groomsmaids, and more!
Person of Honor
Also known as a best man, maid of honor, or matron of honor. Your person of honor is your main attendant and is usually a best friend or close relative. They may have additional responsibilities, like holding the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony or the rings until they’re needed for the ring exchange. While many couples opt for one person of honor on each side, some choose to have more than one!
What’s the difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor? A matron of honor is someone who has already had a wedding of their own, while a maid of honor is unmarried.
Ring Bearer
Traditionally, this role is filled by a young boy who carries your wedding rings down the aisle. Today, it is more common for the best man or other important wedding party member to carry the rings until the exchange during the ceremony. The couple’s young relatives or pets sometimes symbolically serve as “ring bearers” and may parade fake rings down the aisle.
Flower Girl
The flower girl is traditionally a young girl who walks down the aisle after your bridesmaids and scatters flower petals along the aisle before the bride makes her entrance. This role has changed in recent years to include grandmothers and other friends or relatives who act as flower attendants. Our favorite trend? High-energy flower dudes!
Ushers
Some wedding parties have them, some don’t. Ushers are usually relatives or friends of the couple who show guests to their seats before the ceremony. They may also walk grandparents or other important family members to their seats immediately before your wedding processional begins.
Looking for more wedding terms to know? Check out our previous posts on Marrily Ever After!
Photo by Corrina Nicole Photography
