When it comes to planning a wedding, many terms can be confusing, especially if you are not familiar with wedding etiquette and traditions. One of the terms that can cause confusion is the “wedding party,” which is often referred to as the bride and groom party. If you are planning your wedding or attending one soon, it’s essential to understand what the wedding party is and who is usually part of it.
What Is the Wedding Party?
The wedding party refers to the group of people who participate in the wedding ceremony and support the bride and groom. Traditionally, the wedding party consists of the maid of honor, the bridesmaids, the best man, and the groomsmen. These are the people who stand by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony.
The Bride’s Party
The bride’s party consists of the maid of honor and the bridesmaids. The maid of honor is the bride’s right-hand woman throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day. She is usually the bride’s closest friend or family member and plays a crucial role in the wedding. The maid of honor is responsible for organizing the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and helping the bride get ready for the wedding.
The bridesmaids are the other women who stand with the bride during the ceremony. They are usually close friends or family members of the bride, and their role is to support the bride, help with the planning process, and stand by her on the big day. The number of bridesmaids can vary, but it is common to have between two to six bridesmaids.
The Groom’s Party
The groom’s party consists of the best man and the groomsmen. The best man is the groom’s closest friend or family member, and his role is to support the groom throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day. The best man is responsible for planning the bachelor party, helping the groom get ready for the wedding, and holding the rings during the ceremony.
The groomsmen are the other men who stand with the groom during the ceremony. They are usually close friends or family members of the groom, and their role is to support the groom, help with the planning process, and stand by him on the big day. The number of groomsmen can vary, but it is common to have between two to six groomsmen.
Alternative Wedding Parties
While the traditional wedding party typically consists of the maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, and groomsmen, many couples opt for alternative wedding parties. Some couples choose to have family members instead of friends, while others choose to have mixed-gender wedding parties.
Another popular alternative wedding party is having a group of honor attendants instead of bridesmaids or groomsmen. The group of attendants is made up of close friends or family members of both the bride and groom, regardless of gender.
Conclusion
The wedding party, or bride and groom party, is an essential part of any wedding ceremony. The maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man, and groomsmen stand by the bride and groom, offering support and help throughout the wedding planning process. While the traditional wedding party consists of these roles, couples can customize their wedding party to include family members and mixed-gender parties. Regardless of who is part of the wedding party, their presence is a testament to the love and support the couple has in their lives.
FAQ
What is it called when the bride and bridesmaids have a party?
When the bride and her bridesmaids have a party, it is typically known as a bridal shower or bachelorette party. A bridal shower is a party thrown in honor of the bride before the wedding day. It is customary for the bride’s close female family members and friends, including the bridesmaids, to attend the shower. During the bridal shower, guests shower the bride-to-be with gifts and play games. It is an opportunity for the bride to receive useful gifts for their new home or marriage.
In contrast, a bachelorette party or “hen party” is a more modern tradition. The bride invites her close female friends and bridesmaids for a night out or weekend trip to celebrate her last days of singlehood. It typically involves fun activities, such as dancing, wine tasting, or spa treatments. Bachelorette parties are known for being fun, wild, and memorable, and often involve the bridesmaids coordinating matching outfits or accessories.
Whether it’s a bridal shower or bachelorette party, the event is a chance for the bride and her bridesmaids to bond and celebrate together before the big wedding day.
Do you include bride and groom in wedding party?
When planning a wedding, one of the questions that may come up is whether the bride and groom should be included in the wedding party. The answer to this question may vary depending on personal preferences and cultural traditions.
In general, the wedding party describes the entire group of people who participate in the wedding, including the bride and groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and the parents. The wedding party is chosen by the couple to support and celebrate them from their engagement to the marriage.
However, some couples may choose to exclude themselves from the wedding party and only include their closest family and friends. Others may choose to include themselves in the wedding party as a way to be more involved in the wedding planning process and to have a larger support system on the big day.
Cultural traditions may also play a role in whether the bride and groom are included in the wedding party. In some cultures, it is customary for the bride and groom to have a large bridal party, while in others, it may be more common to only have a few close friends or family members participate.
The decision of whether to include the bride and groom in the wedding party is a personal one that should be based on the couple’s preferences, cultural traditions, and the size of the wedding party they desire. Whether included or not, the goal of the wedding party is to support and celebrate the happy couple on their special day.
What is a bridal shower vs bachelorette party?
A bridal shower and a bachelorette party are two separate events that are common pre-wedding celebrations for the bride-to-be, but they have distinct differences.
A bridal shower is typically a daytime event that is hosted by the bridesmaids or other close female family members of the bride. It is more of a traditional gathering that involves tea, finger sandwiches, and cakes in a formal tea party setting. The purpose of a bridal shower is to shower the bride-to-be with gifts, such as kitchen and household items, that she can use to set up her new home. A bridal shower is also intended to prepare the bride for her future married life by offering her advice, sharing experiences, and tips on what to expect.
On the other hand, a bachelorette party is a more non-traditional and lively event that is organized by the bride’s closest friends. It is meant to be a fun, sometimes wild, girls-only night out to celebrate the bride’s last single days. A bachelorette party may include drinks, karaoke, dance clubs, or even travel or special activities such as spa days or outdoor adventures.
In short, the main difference between a bridal shower and a bachelorette party is the level of formality, time of the day, and purpose. While a bridal shower is more of a formal daytime affair with a focus on preparing the bride-to-be for her married life, a bachelorette party is a fun, informal, and often wild girls-only night out that celebrates the bride-to-be’s last days of being single.
