• Assisting in compiling the guest list for the bride's side of the family and in addressing the invitations.
• Helping with the wedding ceremony and reception details.
• Assisting the bride in choosing her wedding gown and accessories and the bridesmaids gowns. 
  Selecting her dress to go along with the formality and colors of the wedding . The bride's mother has the first choice of color, but should consult with the mother of the groom with regard to the colors and formality of the wedding.
• Helping the bride keep track of the wedding gifts.
• Assisting in making accommodations for the bride's out-of-town guests.
• Keeping the father of the bride informed of the wedding plans.
• Arrives at the ceremony site early and is available for photographs.  Is also available at the bride's home if the photographer is taking family photographs there.  
• At the ceremony, the mother of the bride is the last person to be seated before the processional begins.
• She is escorted to her seat in the left front pew and sits to the left of the bride's father during the ceremony. 
  If the bride and groom are using a Unity Candle, the mother of the bride is escorted to the altar to light the left hand taper candle, representing the bride's family and is then escorted to her seat.
• She is the first person to greet the guests in the receiving line.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
• Serves as the official hostess at the wedding reception and is seated in a place of honor at the reception.
• The mother of the bride dances with the groom after the first dance.

Father of the Bride

The wedding of his daughter is a very special day for the father of the bride.  He has many responsibilities, especially on the day of the wedding. 

• He helps prepare the guest list.
• Selects wedding attire that complements the groom's and attendants' attire.
• He rides with the bride to the ceremony, either in a limousine or horse and carriage, or whatever mode of transportation is being used.
• Is available at the ceremony site for photographs.  If family photographs are being taken at the brides home, is available for photographs there also.
• Escorts the bride down the aisle and stands beside her until the officiant asks who gives her away, at which time the usual response is "Her mother and I do".
• He then takes his seat in the left hand pew to the right of the bride's mother.
• If the bride's parents are divorced, the bride's father sits in the second or third row unless he is financing the wedding.
• Some brides prefer to have both parents escort them down the aisle, and some with to go down the aisle on their own.
• Can witness the signing of the marriage license.
• May stand in the receiving line next to the bride's mother or may mingle with guests.
• Acts as official host at the wedding reception.
• Dances with the bride (father-daughter dance) after the bride and groom's first dance.
• Traditionally the father of the bride takes care of final payments of the music entertainment, reception venue, caterer, etc.  However, these expenses may be shared with the groom's parents and the bride and groom.
• Is usually the last person to leave the reception.

Compiled by the Special Event Network Staff