In English, the word bridal is often used to describe anything related to a wedding, like a bride or bridal veil. Bridal is derived from the Old English word bride-ale, meaning “wedding-feast,” which itself was a shortened form of ealu, the ancestor of Modern English ale.
Bridal Veil:
In Western culture, the bride’s veil is an essential part of the wedding ceremony. It symbolizes the union of the bride and groom, and can be as elaborate as a bridal gown.
Ring Bearer:
The ring bearer is a boy who holds the bride’s and groom’s wedding rings during the ceremony. He’s traditionally a younger child between the ages of four and seven, but older children can also be designated as ring bearers.
Flower Girl:
A flower girl walks down the aisle in a dress that matches that of the maids and bridesmaids, carrying flowers for the bride and groom to hold during the recessional. The flower girl’s parents usually pay for her attire and arrange her transportation.
Junior Bridesmaid:
The junior bridesmaid is a young girl between the ages of 9 and 13. She does not walk down the aisle, but she wears the same dress as the bridesmaids and her parents pay for her attire and arrange her transportation.
Father of the Bride:
The father of the bride usually plays a smaller role in the run-up to the wedding, but he has several duties on the day itself. He may walk the bride down the aisle, “give her away” at the altar or take part in the father-daughter dance.
Best Man:
The groom’s best friend or relative is normally the best man. He may be a brother, childhood friend or cousin. The groom chooses who he wants to be the best man and it’s always a good idea to find someone outside of the bridal party to help escort the best man to his seat on the stand at the back of the room.
During the ceremony, the best man and maid of honor give a short speech on behalf of the whole wedding party. Afterwards, the microphone is turned over to whomever wishes to make a speech.
Speeches are a great way to say something important and make your guests feel special. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, but it’s crucial that you focus on what you want to say.
Before you start writing, ask an honest, objective friend to provide feedback on your speech. Generally, speeches should be about three to five minutes long. Then, practice your speech in front of friends and family before the big day. It’s also helpful to have an outline or script so that you know exactly what you need to say.