Your wedding day will be one of the proudest and special moments for you and your parents. There are many duties that can be done by the parents to incorporate them into your wedding day, making them feel special and needed. Involving your parents during the "wedding process" not only can be a huge help for the couple, but in a way thanks them for all that they have done.

The father of the bride

One of the most touching parts of the day will undoubtedly be when the father must give his daughter away. This meaningful gesture symbolizes the fathers blessing on the marriage and in particular his acceptance of the groom.

The father of the bride should:

• Attend the wedding rehearsal
• Attend any pre-wedding parties
• Prepare a speech for the ceremony
• Takes care of final payments of caterers, musicians etc.
• Escort the bride from the house to the ceremony
• Arrive last with the bride
• Walk with the bride up the aisle, walking on her right hand side
• Give the bride away
• Stand until after the vows and then join the bride’s mother
• Light the wedding ceremony candle with the Mother and Father of the Groom
• Sigh the registry with the bride’s mother then escort her down the aisle
• Leave for reception after the bride and groom
• Stand second in line at the wedding reception and greet the guests
• Toast the newlywed couple and make a speech
• Mingle with guests and do introductions

The mother of the bride

The mother of the bride is often as enthusiastic and excited as the daughter about the upcoming wedding. She will often want to involve her self in almost every aspect of the wedding after she too will want to ensure that your wedding day really is the best day of your life. However most couples nowadays are opting to plan the wedding themselves but out of courtesy it is important to at the very least keep the mothers up to date with the progress of plans. In addition to this there are several duties that the may be performed by the brides mother if required.

The mother of the bride should:

• Assist her daughter in the arrangements where possible and in choosing the wedding gown and accessories, bridesmaids attire, flower girls and pageboys, wedding reception entertainment, florists, and transport.
• Keep the parents of the groom informed of wedding planning progress
• Consult with the Mother of the Groom about the colour of her wedding outfit
• Compile a guest list with the bride and receives replies from wedding invitations
• Attend wedding rehearsals
• Attend pre-wedding parties
• Help the bride with her dress and veil on the day
• Light the wedding ceremony candle with the Mother and Father of the Groom
• Carry emergency kit in case anything is needed by the bridal or grooms party on the day
• Sign register and walk down aisle with the father of the bride
• Leave for reception after the bride and groom
• Stand second in line at the reception and greet the guests
• Act as hostess at the reception, mingling with guests and introducing people
• Help the bride to change out of her wedding dress and take care of it if the bride leaves straight from the reception for the honeymoon