The father of the bride has some very clear duties to perform on the wedding day.

He travels with the bride to the wedding and walks by her side down the aisle with her arm linked in his.

After he has safely delivered his daughter to the side of her husband to be, he retires to the front row of the pews if the wedding is held in church.

The symbolism of the father's duties on the day is very clear and not a little poignant. His girl is becoming a woman and he is passing responsibility for her to another.

He and the mother of the bride are the official hosts of the wedding reception and it is his duty to greet the guests at the reception and to thank everyone for coming. His is the first speech to be made after the meal.

During and after the reception he should mix with the guests, making introductions and making sure that everyone is involved and that no-one's glass is empty for long.

The father of the bride traditionally cuts in on the groom during the couple's first dance, after which he cuts in on the groom who begins to dance with the bride's mother. After that he cuts in on the groom again after which both men dance with their respective wives.

As the official host of the wedding reception, he is expected to bid farewell to the departing guests and is traditionally the last person to leave the reception.