Duties of the Father of the Bride

The father of the bride is responsible for more than just finances

By Debby Mayne

Photo by iStockphoto.com

In addition to paying for most of the wedding, the father of the bride has a valuable role in this special event. For a father, giving a daughter away is often an emotional experience. However, in order to keep the bride confident and calm, it's important for the father of the bride to remain supportive and strong. If the bride's father isn't available, another person, such as a brother, uncle, grandfather or even mother, may fill in and take on his responsibilities.

Supporting the Bride on the Wedding Day

The father of the bride should be there for the bride to lean on and help keep her nerves steady. There's much that can go wrong at a wedding and the bride's father can help put out fires before his daughter starts to worry about them. He also may be appointed to get the bride to the church on time.

Walk Down the Aisle

The father of the bride typically walks the bride down the aisle, with or without the mother on the other side of her. The father usually walks to the bride's right hand on her father's left arm. He ceremoniously hands her off to the groom, sometimes placing his daughter's hand on the groom's hand.

Hosting the Reception

The father and mother of the bride are usually the primary hosts of the wedding reception. The father should help greet and welcome guests, as well as oversee everything to make sure that the caterers, band, and other contractors are living up to expectations. He is the contact person for the manager in charge of the venue.

Father-Daughter Dance

After the bride dances with the groom, the father of the bride takes over and dances with his daughter. The father-daughter dance is sometimes choreographed. The bride and groom and both families typically coordinate it so that the bride gets a chance to dance with her father and new father-in-law and the groom gets to dance with his mother and mother-in-law.

Speech

Either before or shortly after the meal at the reception, the father of the bride may have the honor of making the first speech. This is when he thanks guests for coming, comments on watching his daughter grow up, sharing his pride in her achievements and welcoming his new son-in-law. He should end with a toast to the couple.