If you just signed up to become a bridesmaid, you’re in for an adventurous and toilsome ride. As exciting and honourable being a bridesmaid is, the title comes with heaps of responsibilities and expectations.
As a bridesmaid, the bride-to-be’s emotional and logistical support, you may even be as busy than she will be. If you’ve been made the maid-of-honour, you’ll also hold a major share in most of the decision-making involved in the wedding planning.
Just so you’re not left high and dry holding the title of a bridesmaid, we’re here to save the day for you.
BRIDESMAID DUTIES: BEFORE THE WEDDING
1.BE THERE FOR THE BRIDE
We all know planning a wedding can be stressful, so a big bridesmaid responsibility is simply lending a helping hand or attentive ear to the bride when she needs it. She might need a bit of planning assistance
2. BE THERE FOR THE MAID OF HONOR
Some people might not be aware of everything that the maid of honor is supposed to do for the bride and wedding. It’s a lot — big things like planning the bachelorette party and smaller details like holding the bride’s bouquet at the wedding. A major item on the bridesmaid duties checklist is offering to provide help to the maid of honor if she ever needs it.
3. BE POSITIVE AND OFFER TO HELP WITH PLANNING
It’s not your wedding so we understand if you don’t want to get into the nitty gritty of the planning process, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help the engaged couples search for wedding vendors with other planning-related tasks or instead you can help couple engage professional wedding planners (like us!). Just try not to let helping the bride plan her wedding take over your life.
4. BUY YOUR BRIDESMAID DRESS, SHOES & ACCESSORIES ON TIME
A big thing on the list of bridesmaid duties is just simply being on top of it — especially when it comes to your attire. While there are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to order your bridesmaid dress, shoes, and accessories, the biggest is that if you do, it probably won’t all arrive in time. An upset like this will not only stress you out, but also the bride and other members of the wedding party. Avoid the drama by ordering your bridesmaid dress.
5. GO FOR WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING WITH THE BRIDE-TO-BE
Wedding dress shopping is a unique experience for every bride and the number of people in the entourage will likely differ from bride to bride. If you’re asked to join, study up on the latest wedding dress trends so you’re an informed audience.
6. HELP PLAN & ORGANISE THE BRIDAL SHOWER & BACHELORETTE PARTY
While planning most of the pre-wedding events falls onto the maid of honor, keeping track of details can be incredibly overwhelming, so add “offering event planning assistance” to your list of bridesmaid duties.
7. ATTEND THE PRE-WEDDING EVENTS
One of the best items on the bridesmaid duties list is celebrating with the bride-to-be. So try to be available to participate in the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and especially rehearsal dinner.
8. BUY A WEDDING GIFT
It’s proper wedding etiquette for guests to buy the couple a wedding gift. With all the other details of being a bridesmaid, try not to let this fall by the wayside. Head over to their wedding registry and pick a gift you think they’ll love.
9. BE EMOTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE
Wedding planning is as stressful as it is exciting. First and foremost, it’s important to be there for the bride in those moments of tension. “Be available as much as you’re able! You don’t have to be at their beck and call, but it’s nice for the bride to know that their bridesmaids are there for them as their closest friends and best supporters.
BRIDESMAID DUTIES: DURING THE WEDDING
1. ATTEND THE REHEARSAL DINNER
As part of the bridesmaid duties, you’ll be expected to attend any rehearsal events. During the rehearsal dinner, you may be asked to do a toast during dinner if you’re not the maid of honor (who usually gives a speech at the wedding). If something prevents you from attending, communicate that with plenty of notice and perhaps make the effort to connect with the wedding planner on what you missed.
2. CONNECT WITH THE PLANNER
As a ‘maid, it’s important to know who the planner is and understand your role with them. You’ll likely meet the planner during the rehearsal and will usually be given direction from the planner at some point during the wedding activities. It’s vital to cooperate with the planner, be mindful of their schedule, and make sure you do whatever is asked of you to ensure that everything goes smoothly the day of.
3. KNOW THE PLAN
The timeline should be shared a week or two prior to the wedding day–know that it exists and follow along. Yu says you don’t have to memorize this, but be sure to review it, understand how the day will flow, and remember the details to the best of your ability.
4. DON’T COMPLAIN
The day of the wedding is a long day for the entire wedding party, but remember that all the pressure is on the couple, so you don’t want to voice your frustrations or annoyances on the day of. Maybe you don’t love how your hair or makeup turned out; work out with the stylists, don’t complain to the bride.
5. FEED THE BRIDE
The bride or mother of the bride usually provides refreshments for the group as they get ready, but You note that it’s nice when the bridesmaids make sure the bride stays hydrated and fed amongst all the wedding day excitement, even if it’s light snacks throughout the day. At the very least, make sure the bride drinks water, especially when the couple is running around doing photos.
6. PREPARE FOR PHOTOS
After everyone is finished getting ready, make sure the bride has everything she needs with her during photos and then for the ceremony. Typically, the planner will have most of the important things like rings, vows, any change in shoes, etc., but a bridesmaid can help as keeper of the smaller items like a touch-up lipstick, blotting papers, and the bride’s cellphone.
7. BE A BATHROOM BUDDY
If the bride’s dress is extremely voluminous or formfitting, they’ll likely need someone to help hold up or maneuver the ensemble in the restroom. You may also need to bustle the dress during the reception. If the bride is changing outfits, they may need help getting out of one and into the other. The planner will often assist with this but sometimes the bride is more comfortable having someone they are closer to help.
8. KEEP THE ENERGY UP
Help set the mood and help keep the energy up after dinner–you’re there to celebrate. And if there’s an after-hours event, be prepared to keep the party going there too.
BRIDESMAID DUTY: AFTER THE WEDDING
1.HELP WITH RETURNS
Always offer to help take leftover items back to the hotel, or return any rentals–the latter doesn’t happen too often unless the event is more of a DIY affair.
2. SHARE PHOTOS
Create a digital collection of any photos and videos taken by the wedding party while the couple is waiting for their official photos. Since it can be anywhere from four to eight weeks before the photographer shares, it’s nice for the couple to reminisce over these memories while they wait. And finally, be excited to see the professional photos and video when they’re ready! Though the wedding excitement has died down, the couple will still be highly anticipating this moment, so be sure to indulge them when the time comes.
