Wedding Roles & Responsibilities
At All Events Party & Wedding Rentals in Columbus, we believe that every event is a unique celebration deserving of special attention. Our team is passionate about educating our customers on the common roles and responsibilities involved in wedding planning, ensuring you understand key terminology and processes. We pride ourselves on being partners in planning your special event, guiding you every step of the way to create unforgettable memories. Let us help you bring your vision to life with our expert insights and dedicated support.
People/Roles - Every wedding has its unique roles and responsibilities. Below are a list of common terms used to refer to different types of roles related to weddings.
Wedding Party / Attendants / Bridal Party: Anybody who has a specific role to play in the wedding. Best man, flower girl, page boy, usher, etc. They are called this because they have a job to “attend” to in the wedding. This is also a preferred non-gendered term used in place of bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Honor Attendants: These are the closest and most important attendants to the couple, traditionally the maid-of-honor and the best man.
Junior Bridesmaid: A bridesmaid who is a bit younger than a typical bridesmaid, usually ages 8-16.
Processional: The walking of the bridal party down the aisle.
Recessional: The walking of the bridal party from the altar to the exit.
Receiving Line: This refers to when the guests line up to be welcomed by and speak to the newly married couple, most often at the end of a ceremony.
Vendors - Vendors play an integral part in weddings. Below is a breakdown of some of the common terms used to refer to vendors and their roles.
Justice of the Peace: A person who has the power to perform civil marriages. Typically used as a secular alternative to a religious officiant.
Officiant: The person officiating the wedding, whether that be a religious figure, a justice of the peace, an ordained family member, etc.
Master of Ceremonies (MC): The person who introduces the married couple and introduces every speaker. This role is most often played by the DJ or a member of the band, but could also be done by a friend or family member.
Hybrid Photographer: A photographer who does both digital and print photography.
Second Shooter: A backup or secondary photographer.
Venue Coordinator: A person assigned to your wedding day through your venue. This person is solely responsible for the responsibilities of your venue contract. Venue coordinators are often willing to help with light tasks not offered by the venue, such as setting placecards out and placing favors on guest tables, however typically the only responsibility your venue coordinator is contracted for is anything promised by the venue. You should take caution with excessive decor and decorating, as this is often more daunting that what is allowed by venue staff and may lead to disappointment the day of your wedding.
Event Coordinator: A 3rd party usually hired to help throughout the planning process or the day-of the wedding to assist with all outside responsibilities they venue does not provide. Not all coordinators are the same. You should interview, read and understand what services your planner/coordinator offers and is willing to provide. Heavy lifting, set up, clean up, etc are typically spelled out in the Dos and Don'ts in contracts. When in doubt, get it in writing.