What Are the Duties of the Groom's Aunt & Uncle?

 Get your family better involved in the wedding preparations by sharing some roles and responsibilities with your aunts and uncles. While siblings and cousins are often included in the wedding preparations, aunts and uncles can also take part in the planning and guest management. Aside from being witnesses to your wedding, aunts and uncles can be assigned wedding duties to make the day a little less stressful for the couple.

Parents’ Stand-in

If the groom cannot have one or both of his parents during the wedding ceremony, the closest elder relatives must step in to fill the gap. In most cases, it is the aunt and uncle of the groom with whom he is closest that steps in. They can accompany the groom down the aisle or just wait at the altar, depending on the couple’s preferences. The aunt and the uncle can also be stand-ins for the family portrait session that takes place after the wedding ceremony.

Greeter

A greeter is someone who serves as a host or hostess of the party. Typically, this can be a close friend, an aunt, or an uncle that wasn’t included in the bridal entourage. It is ideal that the greeter is not part of the entourage so that the greeter can continue with his hosting duties, such as welcoming the guests.

Double Weddings

For double weddings or weddings of two siblings, the uncle can stand in place of the father of one of the grooms. In cases wherein the groom and his sibling is getting married in one ceremony, the next closest elder relatives must stand in place of the parents. This means that either the groom or his sibling gets to walk down the aisle with his aunt and uncle in tow. The aunt and uncle need not stand in during the family portrait session afterward.

Entourage

The groom’s aunt and uncle can be part of the wedding entourage as one of the candles, cord, or veil sponsors. There are no rules on who should be the couple’s sponsors; if the groom feels particularly close to one of his uncles or aunts, the relative can be a part of the wedding entourage. They can also do some readings during the ceremony or help the guests find their seats during the reception.

The veil and cord wedding traditions originated in the Philippines. Many traditional Filipino couples, as well as others who like the tradition, may wish to incorporate it into their ceremonies. If you are planning on incorporating this into your wedding make sure you have informed your minister prior to the rehearsal so that he is familiar with the procession and feels comfortable performing the ceremony you desire.

Place the veil over the bride's head and groom's shoulders. This should be done by your veil sponsors, typically one female and one male. When choosing your veil sponsors, consider choosing one from each side of the family for the added significance of the melding of your families.

Pin the veil into place on the bride's head and the shoulder of the groom. The veil tradition occurs during the Sanctus portion of the wedding ceremony. The veil is used to symbolize the couple's unity and the church's blessing to live under one roof. The pastor will explain the significance to guests and proceed to offer the couple a prayer. The veil sponsors should remain silent throughout the ceremony.

Place the cord in a loose figure eight around the bride's and groom's necks. This is done by the cord sponsors after the veil has been pinned into place. The cord is a symbol of the lifetime bond the couple is entering into. The cord also represents that the couple is now bound to walk life in the same direction, at the same pace. The couple will finish the ceremony wearing the veil and cord.

Tie the Yoga around the couple's necks in figure eight. This is performed by the cord sponsors. Similar to the cord that has already been laid on the couple, the Yoga is a nuptial tie or a decorative silken rope, flowers, coins, or diamonds. The Yoga symbolizes the infinite bond of marriage -- a lifelong union between the couple. The cord ceremony concludes the traditional Filipino wedding.

Courtesy: Best wedding planner in Lahore.