Traditional Wedding Party Duties

Hopefully your wedding party won't just show up on the day of your wedding - traditionally the members of your wedding party have specific duties before and after the wedding. 

Best Man

• Puts together the bachelor party
• Provides his own tuxedo or formal wear
• Drives the groom to the ceremony location
• Holds the bride's ring (and often the groom's ring) before the ceremony (unless you're using a ring bearer)
• Makes payment to the officiant before the ceremony (the groom's family generally supplies the actual funds)
• Pays the other service providers if asked to (again, with funds provided by others; the best man typically is just coordinating the payments)
• Signs the wedding certificate as a witness
  
• Returns the groom's tux or formal wear if rented (since the groom is hopefully off on his honeymoon)

Groomsmen

• Helps set up the ceremony location (although more and more this seems to fall to the bridesmaids)
• Provide their own tuxedos or formal wear
• Escorts wedding service guests to their seats
• Seat guets of honor, like grandparents and other important family members
• Roll out the aisle runner (if you're using one) just before the bride enters
• Clean up the service location after the ceremony
• Take wedding gifts to a designated location after the reception
• Trash the newly married couple's car

Maid or Matron of Honor

• Helps the bride address invitations, shop, make a record of wedding gifts, and generally assist before the wedding
• Puts together the bridal shower (although the bridesmaids can and should certainly help)
• Helps the bride dress before the ceremony
• Provides her own wedding clothing
• Arranges the bride's train and veil at the altar
• Holds the groom's ring before the ceremony (although, again this can be done by a ring bearer)
• Holds the bride's bouquet at the altar
• Signs the wedding certificate as a witness

Bridesmaids

• Provide their own wedding clothing
• Helps put together the bridal shower
• Helps set up the ceremony location on the wedding day

Again, these are just guidelines... but if you want help with your wedding, falling back on a phrase like, "But it's traditional for you to help set up the ceremony location," can help overcome a little unwillingness to pitch in on the part of your wedding party.

• Help the bride and maid of honor with pre-wedding tasks