Who does what at your wedding: the parents of the bride

In the past, the bride's parents played a prominent role in the wedding - particularly financial - although in recent years, the responsibility has been more evenly spread.

* Traditionally, the bride's parents paid for the wedding. Nowadays the cost is more likely to be shouldered by the couple themselves or shared between the couple and both sets of parents.

* If the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, the invitations should be sent out in their names.

* The bride's mother usually helps with the organisation, taking some of the pressure off the bride by going on dress and bridesmaids' fittings with her, helping with the guest list, sourcing or making accessories or helping to plan the reception.

* On the day, the bride's father usually accompanies the bride to the church/venue and escorts her up the aisle.

* During the service, the bride's father's is the one to respond to the question "Who gives/presents this woman to be married to this man?" if the couple choose to include this in their ceremony.

* As the person ‘giving away the bride', the bride's father traditionally signed the register too, although anyone can act as witness and today many couples choose to give this honour to both the mums.

* After the signing of the register, the bride's father escorts the groom's mother back down the aisle and out of the church/ceremony venue. (He also sits next to the groom's mother at the reception if the couple is following a traditional top table seating plan.)

* If there's a receiving line, both sets of parents meet and greet guests.

* At the reception, the bride's father makes the first speech thanking all the guests for coming and proposing a toast to the bride and groom.