Planning and timeline
Bridesmaids, best man and ushers
Choosing your wedding party and what each person does. 60 questions, answered for UK weddings.
Guide · Bridesmaids, best man and ushersHow Many Bridesmaids Should You Have? A UK GuideThis guide covers how many bridesmaids to choose for your UK wedding, from small ceremonies to large celebrations, with practical advice on…Guide · Bridesmaids, best man and ushersBest Man Duties in the UK: Before and On the DayThis guide details every best man duty in the UK, from planning the stag do and keeping the rings to writing and delivering the speech, plu…Guide · Bridesmaids, best man and ushersMaid of Honour Duties and Usher Roles ExplainedThis guide covers the full maid of honour job list and the specific tasks ushers take on, from the engagement to the wedding day. It also e…
- What are the typical duties of a best man in the UK?The best man supports the groom from the engagement through to the wedding day, handling organisation, emotional support and practical tasks. He usua…
- What do I do as the best man?The best man traditionally pays for his own outfit and travel, and often hosts the stag do with the ushers. He may also cover his own accommodation. …
- Who picks the best man at a wedding?No, a best man is not required. You can marry without one. Many couples choose a maid of honour, a chief bridesmaid, or no attendant at all. The only…
- What do groom's parents typically pay for?Traditionally, the groom's parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, the groom's outfit, the honeymoon, and sometimes the drinks at the wedding. But this…
- What is the groom's mum responsible for?The groom's mum is not responsible for any specific task unless you agree on one. Traditionally she helps host the rehearsal dinner, welcomes guests,…
- What should the mother of the groom not do?The mother of the groom should not try to take over the planning, criticise the couple's choices, or wear white or a dress that competes with the bri…
- Who walks the groom's mum down?There is no fixed rule. The groom's mum can walk with the groom, a close relative, a friend, or on her own. In many weddings, the groom walks his mum…
- Who walks mum down the aisle?There is no fixed rule. Often a son, brother, uncle, or close family friend walks the mum down the aisle. You can also have her walk alone, with your…
- Who usually cuts the cake at a wedding?Traditionally the couple cut the cake together, usually with the groom's hand over the bride's. Today, any couple can cut it together, or you can ask…
- Who stays with the bride the night before?Usually the bride's mum, sisters, or bridesmaids stay with her the night before. Some brides prefer to stay alone or with their partner. There is no …
- What is the history of bridesmaids?Bridesmaids date back to ancient Rome, where they dressed like the bride to confuse evil spirits. In Victorian Britain, bridesmaids wore similar dres…
- What is a good amount of bridesmaids?A good amount of bridesmaids is whatever feels right for you, but most couples choose between two and six. There is no legal limit, so pick people wh…
- Can men be bridesmaids?Yes, men can be bridesmaids. There is no law or rule that says bridesmaids must be women. You can call them bridesmaids, bridesmen, or honour attenda…
- Is 9 bridesmaids a lot?Nine bridesmaids is above average but not wrong. It is a lot to coordinate, but if you have nine close people you cannot imagine without, it can work…
- Is 10 bridesmaids too much?Ten bridesmaids is not too much if you can manage the logistics and budget, but it is unusually large. Think about your venue space, your costs and y…
- What do brides usually pay for bridesmaids?There is no fixed rule. Many brides pay for the dresses, but some ask bridesmaids to cover their own. Talk openly with your bridal party early, agree…
- Do bridesmaids pay for their own dresses?It depends on your agreement. In many UK weddings bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, but some brides cover the cost. Decide together early, consi…
- What should the mother of the bride pay for?There is no legal or fixed rule. Traditionally the mother of the bride helps with planning and sometimes contributes to the wedding costs, but this v…
- Is the bride responsible for bridesmaids hair and makeup?There is no legal or fixed rule. Traditionally the mother of the bride helped with the wedding, but today costs are usually shared. Agree together wh…
- What does a best man usually pay for?The best man usually pays for his own outfit, travel and accommodation, plus the stag do and a wedding gift. He may also cover his speech costs, like…
- What is the difference between a best man and a man of honor?A best man is traditionally the groom's chief attendant and is usually male. A man of honor is a female-led role, where a woman takes on the duties o…
- What do best man and maid of honor do?The best man and maid of honor support the couple before and during the wedding. Before, they help plan, organise the stag or hen do, and manage othe…
- Does the best man hold the rings?The best man often holds the rings, but it is not a legal requirement. Many couples prefer the best man to keep them safe until the ceremony, then ha…
- Who walks in first, mother of bride or groom?There is no fixed rule. In many UK weddings, the groom's mother walks in first, followed by the bride's mother, then the bridal party. But you can ch…
- Who do you thank in a best man speech?You thank the couple for asking you to be best man, the bridal party and ushers for their help, both sets of parents, and any guests who travelled fa…
- What to say for a wedding toast?A simple toast is: "To [names], may your life together be full of love, laughter and good health. Please raise your glasses." You can also say "To th…
- What qualities should a best man have?A best man should be organised, reliable and calm under pressure. They should be good at communicating, happy to help with practical tasks, and able …
- Do you really need a best man?No, you do not need a best man. You can choose anyone you like to support you, or have no one at all. The role is traditional, not legal, so it is en…
- Is the best man supposed to give a gift?No, the best man is not required to give a gift. However, many choose to give a small, personal present as a thank you for being asked. It is entirel…
- How much should a best man give?There is no set amount for a best man's gift. Give what feels comfortable within your budget, and remember your time, effort and support matter far m…
- What are the typical responsibilities of a best man at a wedding?The best man supports the groom before and on the day. Typical duties include organising the stag do, holding the rings, giving a speech, and making …
- Who pays for the best man's suit?There is no fixed rule. Traditionally the groom pays for his own outfit and the best man pays for his own suit, but many couples now cover the cost f…
- Does the best man stand with the groom?Yes, traditionally the best man stands next to the groom during the ceremony, usually on the groom's right. But there is no legal requirement. You ca…
- Can groom's dad be the best man?Yes, the groom's dad can absolutely be the best man. There is no rule against it. Many couples choose a parent for this role because they are trusted…
- How many best men should you have at a wedding?You can have as many best men as you like. There is no legal limit. Many couples have two or three, especially if they cannot choose between close fr…
- What are the key differences between the roles of a groomsman and a best man?The best man is the groom's chief supporter and organiser, while groomsmen help with tasks and stand by the groom on the day. The best man usually le…
- Does the best man have to make a speech?No, the best man does not have to make a speech, but it is traditional. If he is nervous or does not want to speak, the couple can ask someone else, …
- What should the father of the bride not do?The father of the bride should not make assumptions about his role. He should not give a speech without being asked, walk the bride down the aisle if…
- What color is the bride's dad supposed to wear?There is no rule about what colour the bride's dad should wear. He should match the wedding's dress code and colour scheme, but he does not have to m…
- What is the best opening line for a wedding speech?The best opening line is a simple, warm thank you to the guests for coming, followed by a genuine compliment about the couple or the day. It sets a r…
- What does a father give to his daughter on her wedding day?There is no set gift. Many fathers give a piece of jewellery, a handwritten letter, or a small sentimental item that reflects their relationship. The…
- How to choose your wedding party?Choose people who are reliable, supportive and close to you, not just those you feel obliged to ask. Think about who will help you stay calm, who can…
- Who goes down the aisle first, mother of bride or groom?There is no legal rule about aisle order in the UK. Many couples choose to have the groom's parents enter first, then the bride's mother, then the br…
- How many bridesmaids is normal in the UK?There is no single normal number, but most UK weddings have between two and six bridesmaids. Your choice depends on your family, friends and budget. …
- How many bridesmaids can you have at a UK wedding?There is no legal limit on bridesmaids in the UK. You can have as many as you like, from none to dozens. The only practical limits are your budget, v…
- How many bridesmaids is too many?There is no fixed number that is too many, but practical limits usually come into play beyond six or seven. Consider your budget, venue space and how…
- How many bridesmaids should I have for 100 guests?There is no set number, but for 100 guests, three to five bridesmaids usually feels balanced. Choose people you love and trust, not a number. Your we…
- How many bridesmaids and groomsmen should you have?There is no required number of bridesmaids or groomsmen. Choose as many or as few as you like, based on your budget, venue space and the people you f…
- How many bridesmaids do you need for a small wedding?For a small wedding, you need no bridesmaids at all, or you can have one or two. The legal minimum is just two witnesses, who can be anyone. Keep you…
- How many bridesmaids can you have at a register office wedding?At a register office wedding, you can have as many bridesmaids as you like, but the room may be small. The only legal requirement is two witnesses. C…
- How many bridesmaids should a bride have?A bride should have as many bridesmaids as she wants, with no set number. Choose people who support you and fit your budget and venue. For most weddi…
- How many bridesmaids is traditional?There is no fixed traditional number. In the UK, the number has always varied by family, church and fashion. One, two, three or more are all traditio…
- How many bridesmaids should I have in the UK?You should have as many as you want, but most UK weddings have between two and six. There is no legal limit, and no rule from registrars or most plac…
- How many bridesmaids is enough?Enough is however many you can afford, fit in your venue, and manage without stress. For most couples, two to four feels right. But one is enough, an…
- How many bridesmaids are there usually in a wedding?There is no fixed number. Most UK weddings have between two and six bridesmaids, but you can have one, none, or ten. It is entirely your choice, base…
- How many bridesmaids can you have including the maid of honour?There is no legal limit on the number of bridesmaids you can have in the UK. You can choose one, two, ten or none at all. The choice is entirely your…
- How many bridesmaids do you get?You do not 'get' a set number of bridesmaids. There is no rule, tradition or legal requirement in the UK that fixes a number. You decide how many you…
- How many bridesmaids is too little?No number is too little. Having zero, one or two bridesmaids is completely acceptable in the UK. Many couples choose a small wedding party to keep th…
- How many bridesmaids are you supposed to have?You are not supposed to have any specific number of bridesmaids. In the UK, there is no tradition, law or rule that sets a required number. You can h…
- How many bridesmaids do people have in the UK?There is no set number. Most UK couples choose between one and six bridesmaids, but you can have none or as many as you like. The choice is yours, ba…
From us