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Engagement Party

An engagement party is a party thrown to celebrate a couple's recent engagement and to help future wedding guests to get to know one another. Traditionally, the bride's parents host the engagement party, but many modern couples host their own celebration.

History

Originally, engagement parties were normal parties at which a surprise announcement of the engagement was made by the father of the bride to his guests. The engagement party was to share the engagement news with family members and friends. Therefore, it was not a traditional gift-giving occasion, as none of the guests were supposed to be aware of the engagement until after their arrival.

In ancient Greece, an engagement party was a commercial transaction. It was essentially an oral contract, made between the man who gave the woman in marriage, usually her father, and the groom. The bride was not present.

Modern Times

In modern times, engagement parties often celebrate a previously publicized engagement. Gifts are often given. A toast and speech, are often made. Other couples do not have an engagement party.

While it varies, an engagement party sometimes is thrown at the beginning of the wedding planning process. It is often thrown at the couple's home or the home of a close friend or relative of the couple. This kind of engagement party usually includes engagement party gifts for the couple which are similar to wedding gifts in that they are household goods which will help the couple start their life together, but are usually less expensive and less formal than the gifts a couple will receive at their wedding.

Bridal Shower

A bridal shower is a gift-giving party held for a bride-to-be in anticipation of her wedding. The custom originated in the 1890s and is today most common in the United States, Canada, and by American influence, in Australia. Showers are usually coordinated by the bride's family who invite guests to offer gifts for the upcoming home of the bride and groom as a married couple (or more commonly the groom has been invited to the showers). The history of the custom is rooted not necessarily for the provision of goods for the upcoming matrimonial home, but to provide goods and financial assistance to ensure the wedding may take place.

Bachelor Party+Bachelorette Party

Bachelor Party+Bachelorette Party

WEDDING

Whether you choose a clergy person or a civil celebrant, they have complete control of the events on the day. They are experts on wedding procedures but you need to be sure that they know exactly what you what, and that all details are clear. Following is a list of items that need to be discussed.

By the Bride:
The date and time of the ceremony
Seating capacity
Rules of dress
Rules of recording the ceremony - photos and video
Rules of music
Candles and candle holders
Flowers

By the Bride and Groom:
Early communion, if appropriate
Baptismal and confirmation certificates, if appropriate
Wedding ceremony procedure
Double ring ceremony


BRIDE’S ATTENDANTS

Maiden of Honour – the chief unmarried attendant of the bride at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding, and sign the marriage license; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position; there can be more than one Maiden of Honour.

Matron of Honour – the chief married attendant of the bride at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding, and sign the marriage license; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position; there can be more than one Matron of Honour. It is an ancient tradition in some cultures to have one matron and one maiden of honour at a wedding.

Man of Honour – the chief male attendant of the bride at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding, and sign the marriage license; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Bridesmaid – a female attendant of the bride at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding and help the bride organize the wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Bridesman – a male attendant of the bride at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding and help the bride organize the wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Junior Bridesmaid – a female attendant of the bride at a wedding that is between the ages of nine and sixteen years of age; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Flower Girl – a female attendant of the bride at a wedding who is under nine years of age; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position; flower girls have been used in processions for centuries as symbols of purity, virginity, and youth; the flower girl precedes the bride in the procession; flower girls carry flowers, or strew flowers and petals down the aisle so the bride walks on a carpet of flowers.


GROOM’S ATTENDANTS

Best Man – the chief male attendant of the groom at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding, and sign the marriage license; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Best Maid – the chief female attendant of the groom at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding, and sign the marriage license; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Groomsman – a male attendant of the groom at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding and help the groom organize the wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Groomswoman - a female attendant of the groom at a wedding; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding and help the groom organize the wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Junior Groomsman – a male attendant of the groom at a wedding that is between the ages of nine and sixteen years of age; someone who is available and willing to stand up at your wedding; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position.

Ring Bearer – a male attendant of the groom at a wedding who is under nine years of age; someone who can bear the expense of being in the wedding party; someone who is willing to take on the traditional responsibilities associated with the position; the ring bearer has the duty of carrying the rings up the aisle, typically just before or with the flower girl, and giving them to the best man and maid of honour.


NON WEDDING PARTY POSITIONS

Usher – someone who ushers guests to their seats at the wedding; ushers are sometimes chosen in addition to groomsmen who traditionally have the role of usher; done when the couple want to include more people in special positions for their wedding

Reader – a person or persons who are chosen by the couple to read passages or say a special prayer at the wedding ceremony; done when the couple want to include more people in special positions for their wedding.

Candle Bearer – a person or persons who are chosen to ‘bear’ a lighted candle up the aisle to light special candles at the front of the church which will later be used in a candle ceremony; special friends or family members who are not in the wedding party are usually asked to do this task.

Attendees
Traditional weddings require, in addition to the bride and groom:

Marriage officiant - a minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or civil officer who is authorized to perform marriages.
In many cultures, the "wedding party" may also include:

Best man - a close male friend or relative of the groom, given a place of honor.
Maid of honor - a close female friend or relative of the bride, given a place of honor. If she is married, she is instead called the "matron of honor."
Father of the Bride - One who symbolically "gives away" the bride. If her father is deceased or otherwise unavailable, another male relative, often an uncle or brother, will give the bride away. This is an artifact of the law of parental consent.
Groomsmen - one or more male attendants who support the groom.
Bridesmaids - one or more female attendants who support the bride.
Flower girl - a young girl who scatters flowers in front of the bridal party.
Ringbearer - an attendant, often a young boy, who carries the wedding rings.
Ushers - helpers, usually men, who assist with the organization.
Junior Bridesmaid(s) - young girl, typically between the ages of 8 and 16, who is too old to be a flowergirl, but whom the bride wants in the wedding party.
Typically, these positions are filled by close friends of the bride and groom; being asked to serve in these capacities is seen as a great honor.

Wedding guests are generally sent invitations to which they are expected to reply. The guests are generally invited to both the wedding and the wedding reception afterwards, although sometimes ceremony or reception places may be limited. Often certain people are invited due to perceived obligations, since to not receive an invitation can be considered an insult.

Reception

Honeymoon

Baby shower