The History and Culture of Having Groomsmen and Bridesmaids in Wedding Party

Wedding are not just about the bride and groom alone; they’re also about exalting friends and family members who have supported and loved the couple throughout their relationship and in their individual lives. Wedding party history plays a big part in the roles of the bridesmaids and groomsmen in modern day weddings. In most cases, the bridal party doesn't realize that this custom was initiated with the groomsmen instead of the bride's attendants or bridesmaids. The history of weddings is actually quite interesting.

Wedding party tradition is common throughout Nigeria and the world, whether the bride and groom choose to have ten maids and men apiece or just one best woman and man is up to them. But when and where did this custom begin? 

The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen was instituted into wedding ceremony dates back to the ancient Rome. They believe back then that demons and forces are moving around to hunt down the new couple. Therefore, ten maids and ten men are to stand by the bride and groom to protect them from evil spirits. Bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed identically to the bride and groom, respectively, to confuse these malicious forces. This is in line with the notion that if all of the women and all of the men were dressed the same, then the vile demons would not be able to target the bride and groom specifically.

In the modern times especially in Nigeria the numbers of groomsmen and bridesmaids have reduced respectively. The distinctive dressing has also changed, many of the original duties perform by the best man and maid of honor hasn’t changed much; for example early weddings were held at the bride's home and the first "maid of honor" was likely a reliable and trustworthy family servant who attended to the bride's needs in the days preceding the wedding. Her duties likely included helping the bride gets dressed, making the bridal hairstyle and decorating for the wedding feast, collecting and packaging of household items for the bride to take her new home.

Recently the job of groomsmen is to plan bachelor party, usher wedding guest to their seat, escort bridesmaids down the aisle. Like the best man and the groomsmen, the bridesmaids and the maid of honor duty is to stand as witnesses for the ceremony, helping to validate its authenticity. The most prominent duty of the bridesmaids and groomsmen is to give toast to honor the bride and groom. In most Nigerian weddings only the maid of honor and the best man stand up to give the toast. 

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