Wedding ceremony participants , also referred to as the wedding party, or the bridal party, are the people that participate directly in the wedding ceremony itself. Depending on the location, religion, and style of the wedding, this group may include only the individual people that are marrying, or it may include one or more brides, grooms (or bridegrooms), maids of honor, bridesmaids, best men, groomsmen, flower girls, page boys and ringbearers. A bride is a woman about to be married or newly-wed.