I would like to base my column this week around the
immediate bridal party, possibly who to include in your
bridal party and how large to have your bridal party.
This is one thing that the bride and groom need
to consider early in their wedding preparations.
Three attendants each is the traditional number
but it depends totally on preference and the formality
of the occasion.
Traditionally the groom has a best man and two groomsmen
and the bride has a maid/matron of honour/chief
bridesmaid and two bridesmaids.
Flowergirls and pageboys can also add a special
charm to the ceremony.
Preferably the flowergirls and pageboys should be
between the ages of 4 And 8.
It is widely known that the bride should consider
asking her own sister/s as well as asking the groom’s
sister if they would like to be her attendants.
The bridesmaid’s duties include either preceding
or following the bride down the aisle.
The traditional position is flowergirl, bride and
then bridesmaids so that your bridesmaids are there to
straighten your gown etc etc.
However this tradition seems to be changing as the bride
makes her appearance after the bridesmaids to ensure she
is given full attention.
It is of course her day.
Your chief bridesmaid will also hold your bouquet
during the ceremony, witness the marriage registrar and
accompany you when you change at the end of the wedding
reception.
Even though the bride selects the bridesmaids’ dresses
the bridesmaids should offer to pay for them but again,
this tradition is changing.
More often than not the bride just chooses the
colour and leaves the design to the discretion of each
individual bridesmaid (this gives the girls a chance to
wear their outfit again and not end up with lots of
frocks hanging in the cupboard to age gracefully and
gather dust).
And the men; the best man is usually a close friend or
brother and traditionally he is unmarried.
It is up to him to see that the groom is dressed
and at the church on time.
I have seen many a groom and groomsmen doing it
tough whilst waiting patiently for the bride to arrive.
They have done it a little too hard the night
before and certainly had the sunnies on just before the
ceremony and I’ve wondered whether they would need the
hair of the dog pretty soon after the ceremony. Boys
will be boys.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things...
It is never being too old to hold hands,
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a
day,
It is never going to sleep angry,
It is having a mutual sense of values and common
objectives,
It is standing together and facing the world,
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole
family,
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating
gratitude in
thoughtful ways,
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget,
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can
grow,
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful,
It is not only marrying the right person, it is being
the right partner.
To all my readers have a very Merry Christmas and until
next year God Bless and stay safe.
Til next time,
Annie.
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