Bridesmaids and groomsmen
In the Netherlands it is not common to have your best friends next to you during the ceremony, but it’s happening more and more often. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are tasked with supporting the best man and maid of honor in their duties. The groomsmen often take it upon themselves to assist the master of ceremonies on the day of the wedding. And the bridesmaids are there – for example – to keep the dance floor running and to help the bride with her dress throughout the day.
Master of ceremonies
An important support to the bridal couple is the master of ceremonies, or the director of the wedding. The duties of the master of ceremonies are different at every wedding, but is quite simple: it requires you to stick to the schedule and make a few announcements loudly and clearly as the day progresses. During the wedding, the master of ceremonies knows exactly what is happening and when it happens. The MC is also the main point of contact for guests when it comes to the wedding. It’s a serious responsibility to make sure everything runs smoothly. So don’t give this task to just anyone.
Wedding witnesses
In the Netherlands, prior to the wedding, the bride and groom get a marriage license in order to legally be allowed to get married. Your wedding witnesses also have to sign this wedding license. Usually the witnesses are the best man & maid of honor, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Usually both the bride and groom choose one or two witnesses who fulfill this important role. They jointly sign the marriage license and certificate and testify that the marriage is legally binding, which is why in the Netherlands you have to be 18 years or older in order to do so. If you lose your marriage certificate, your wedding witnesses can confirm that your marriage is legally binding.
Giving away the bride
The dream of almost every woman: to have her father walk her down the wedding aisle. In the old days, this tradition meant that the father closed the business agreement. Nowadays the tradition is performed as a sign of letting go of your daughter. Of course, this doesn’t have to be officially done by the father, a bride can also ask someone else dear to her, but she can also walk down the aisle alone. The Groom can also be escorted to the altar. The official name for someone you’re given away by is a processional. Another option is to walk to the altar with your partner, like Dutch Prince Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta did in February 2002. At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, she walked the first part alone, due to a conflict with her father. The second part she was accompanied by her father-in-law Prince Charles.
Flower girls
Nowadays, we see more and more videos where there is a spectacle of scattering flowers. Previously that was almost exclusively done by young flower girls, but nowadays we see many different options, such as flower boys, flower grandmothers or your best friends. In short, a flower ‘girl’s’ job is to scatter flowers before the bride walks down the aisle. An alternative is to let them walk with a sign ‘here comes the bride’ or with balloons. Most flower girls sit with their friends/parents after their walk down the aisle.
Ring keeper and ring bearer
The ring keeper is the person who keeps the rings prior to the wedding. This can be – for example – a parent, family member or friend. In the past, the parents kept the rings, as a sign of giving permission for the marriage. The ring keeper gives the ring to the ring bearer. Carrying the ring during the ceremony can be done by anyone. From children to pets involved in the wedding.
Wedding registrar/officiant or BABS
Another important task is that of the marriage registrar/officiant or BABS (special officer of the Civil Registry) in the Netherlands. At the city hall you can choose a wedding official or nominate a self-employed person. But if you want to make it really special, you can ask a guest, often a family member or friend, to be a wedding officiant for one day. He or she will direct your ceremony and legally marry you. But make sure to check if it is recognized and what the options are where you want to get married.
