Bridal party roles: bridesmaid, best man and groomsmen duties
Updated 26 October 2026 · Written by Lysela
The bridesmaids help the bride before and during the day, the groomsmen (called marskalkar in Sweden) show guests where to go and handle the practical side, and the best man supports the groom and usually gives a speech. Together they are the bridal party, and you and they agree the duties between you. Below are the roles, what each person does before the wedding and on the day, how many to ask and how to ask. There are also examples of what a bridesmaid or best man can say in a speech, and how to introduce the bridal party to your guests.
Try it yourself, no account neededWho is in the bridal party and what do they do?
A Swedish wedding party is looser than many couples expect. You choose which roles you want and what to call them, and a friend, sibling or cousin can fill any of them. The table shows what each role usually means. If you are marrying in Sweden, you may meet some Swedish terms: tärna is bridesmaid, marskalk is a groomsman or usher, and brudnäbb is a flower girl or page.
| Role | Before the wedding | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| Bridesmaid (tärna) | Goes to dress fittings, helps with the hen party and small tasks, and answers guests' questions. | Stays with the bride while she gets ready, holds the bouquet and arranges the veil or train for the photos. |
| Maid of honour | The same as a bridesmaid, with a little more responsibility. Often the bride's closest friend or sister. | Stands next to the bride at the ceremony and often gives a speech. |
| Groomsman or usher (marskalk) | Goes through places and times with you and helps carry or collect things. | Shows guests to their seats, carries things and makes sure nobody is lost. Often walks in with a bridesmaid. |
| Best man | Plans the stag party, keeps track of the rings and goes through the day with the groom. | Stands next to the groom at the ceremony, holds the rings and often gives a speech. |
| Flower girl or page (brudnäbb) | The children are told what to do and try on their clothes beforehand. | Children who scatter petals or carry the train or the rings into the church or venue. |
Bridesmaid and groomsman duties on the wedding day
Write the duties in a short message or document a few weeks beforehand, together with the day's schedule, so everyone knows who should be where and when.
The bridesmaid stays near the bride
She carries water, a spare pair of tights and some lipstick. She says when it is time to go and makes sure the bride has something to eat.
The groomsman looks after the guests
He shows the way to the ceremony and the reception, helps older guests and answers where the toilets, the cloakroom and the seating plan are.
The best man keeps track of the rings and the time
He makes sure the groom arrives on time, has the rings in his pocket and helps gather the family for the photographs.
Everyone helps afterwards
Someone carries the gifts to the car, someone takes care of the flowers and someone makes sure the couple get something to eat at the party.
How many bridesmaids and groomsmen should you have?
There is no right number. Most couples pick about the same number on each side, often between two and six people each. Photographs rarely look better with more, and each person you ask is someone you also want in every plan. One bridesmaid and one best man is fine too.
Ask in person and in good time, ideally a year before the wedding. Explain what the role involves, so that anyone who says yes knows what they have agreed to.
Hi [name]. We are getting married on [date] at [place], and I would love to have you beside me as a bridesmaid. It means [short list of duties, for example dress fittings, the hen party and the day itself]. Please say yes, but take the time you need.
Hi [name]. We are getting married on [date] and would like you to be our [groomsman or best man]. You would [short list of duties]. Get back to me when you have thought about it.
Hi [parent's name]. We would love [child's name] to be our flower girl at the wedding. It means carrying [flowers or the train] in to the ceremony. We are happy to do a fitting beforehand.
Thank you, [name], for everything you did before and on the day. You made it feel calm. We are so glad you stood next to us.
Best man and bridesmaid speeches
Bridesmaids and the best man usually speak between courses, after the parents. Three to five minutes is plenty. The toastmaster decides who speaks when, so tell them rather than the couple. The guide to wedding speeches has more on order and length, and the toastmaster guide shows what the person running the evening does.
Start with how you know the person, tell one memory and end with a toast. Replace the words in square brackets.
Hello everyone. I am [name] and I have been friends with [name] since [when]. The first time I met [name] was [short memory]. That was when I understood she had found someone who really made her laugh. So please stand and raise your glasses to [name] and [name].
Dear [name] and [name], dear guests. I am [name], [name]'s best friend since [when]. I have seen him nervous many times, but never like this morning. That is only because he cares so much about [name]. To the happy couple.
We are [name] and [name] and we have known [name] for [number] years. We have three things to say about [name]: [first], [second] and [third]. The last one is [name], and that is why we are standing here. Cheers.
What does it cost and what does the couple pay for?
There is no rule, so talk about it when you ask. It is common for each person to pay for their own dress or suit and travel, while the couple pay for dinner, give a gift and cover shared costs, such as hair and make-up if you want everyone to match. If you decide to pay for more, say so straight away.
Put these items in your budget, so nothing turns up afterwards. If you want a particular dress code for the bridal party, say so when you ask.
Introduce the bridal party on your wedding website
Guests want to know who is who, especially those who are meeting your family for the first time. On your wedding website there is a section called Wedding party. You add each person with a photo, a name, a role and one line about them. You write the role yourselves. The suggestions are Best man, Bridesmaid, Usher, Flower girl and Toastmaster, but you can call it anything you like.
Guests then see who is who before the day, and anyone who wants to give a speech knows who to talk to. See what it looks like on the example pages.
Klara's friend since school, and the person who knows where she leaves her keys.
Hampus's best friend since childhood. In charge of the rings and the speech.
Four years old, carrying the flowers and has promised to stay quiet during the ceremony.
The wedding party on your wedding website
With Lysela, the Wedding party section is in every tier. You add up to 16 people with a name, a role, one line about each and a photo from your own library. You choose one frame for all the photos. The section only shows when it has someone in it, and you can switch it on and off. The toastmaster's name and contact details sit in a section of their own, so guests know where to turn if they want to give a speech.
You pay once, SEK 795, SEK 1,795 or SEK 4,900 including VAT, and the site stays up for 12 months.
What usually goes on a wedding website, and what one costs, is in the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What does a marskalk do at a Swedish wedding?
A marskalk looks after the guests and the practical side: shows them to the ceremony and the party, helps older guests, carries things and makes sure nobody is lost. He often walks in with a bridesmaid.
What is the difference between a bridesmaid and a maid of honour?
The maid of honour is the bridesmaid with a little more responsibility, standing closest to the bride, often her closest friend or sister. Many couples have only bridesmaids, and any of them can take that role.
Do you have to have bridesmaids and groomsmen?
No, it is a choice. Many Swedish weddings have none, and sometimes one best man and one bridesmaid is enough. You decide which roles suit you.
How old can a flower girl or page be?
There is no rule. Children from about three to ten usually manage the task, but ask the parents and let the child try the clothes on beforehand.
More to read
- What should a wedding website include? Checklist, timeline and cost
- Wedding speeches: who speaks, in what order and for how long
- Wedding toastmaster: duties, a schedule and tips for the evening
- Hen party ideas in Sweden: activities, schedule and games
- Stag party ideas in Sweden: activities, schedule and budget