From planning to execution, learn how to be the ultimate support for the bride and ensure a flawless wedding day.
Being a bridesmaid isn’t just about wearing fancy gowns and standing on the altar during the ceremony. It’s about wearing several hats and not dropping a single one and still look the best.
Once you have said YES to the question, “will you be my bridesmaid?” there is no turning back. Get ready for unlimited shopping sprees and a heap of checklists while being the therapist to the bride who might be getting cold feet.
7 Top Bridesmaid Duties You Should Know for Perfect Weddings
Although there are no set guidelines for the role, and most of the times you have to deal with what comes your way, here are 7 top bridesmaids’ duties that you might be doing in the coming days.
Handling the Pre-wedding Festivities
Whether the bride wants to keep it simple or has planned an extravagant wedding, the pre-wedding festivities are a must. These festivities include but are not limited to engagement party, bridal shower, couple’s shower, bachelorette party, and may be some gatherings for wedding DIY’s. The bridesmaids are not only expected to attend these events but contribute towards the idea generation, arrangements, and finances may be.
Shopping for the Dresses
Shopping for the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses is the most exciting part of the wedding. Whether the bride has decided a theme or has given you the freedom to choose your dress, it is your duty as a bridesmaid to be part of the dress shopping.
It is often the bride who chooses her own dress but if she asks for your opinion about the bridesmaids’ dresses, consider suggesting versatile options like a terracotta dress that complements various skin tones. These earth-toned dresses go well with fall and garden themed weddings.
Attending the Rehearsals
To ensure everything goes as planned on the big day, it is important that you attend the rehearsals. It will help you familiarize yourself with how you will follow the bride down the aisle and where you will sit during the ceremony. You will get a chance to understand the wedding day timeline and the order in which things will happen throughout the day for a smooth execution of the events.
Handling the Wedding Day Preps
As a bridesmaid, you will be juggling several duties on the big day. The bride will be counting on you to take care of minute details. The first thing you are supposed to do is get ready. Since the bride will be preoccupied, you will be expected to streamline the processes.
Get other bridesmaids, bride’s mother and flower girl ready for the ceremony. Pack the essentials like the wedding dress, accessories, snacks and other accompaniments ready for the venue.
Be Present for the Bride (physically and emotionally)
Brides can experience a rollercoaster of emotions on their big day. It is your duty as a bridesmaid to be present for her. The entire process of planning and executing the wedding can be pretty stressful for the bride so make sure her prep room is a calm space and is not over crowded with friends and family. Check in on her from time to time and see if she needs anything. Respond sensitively and thoughtfully to her emotions and feelings and make sure she is not overwhelmed.
Help the Bride Get Ready and Walk her down the Aisle
It will be your duty as a bridesmaid to get the bride ready on her big day. Make sure you have packed her dress, shoes and accessories and booked the makeup/hair stylist for the event. Make sure that the Maid of Honor, other bridesmaids and the flower girl are ready and they know their walking formation.
Take a last look at the bride’s attire, adjust her veil, and take care of her phone and bouquet. Walk her down the aisle making sure her dress and veil are in place.
Post Reception Duties
The wedding is over but your duty as the bridesmaid isn’t. There are several post wedding chores that need your attention. First thing you need to do after wedding is check in with the newlyweds if they need anything.
Help taking down the wedding decorations and organize the leftovers. Take care of the wedding gifts and make sure they are in a safe place. Settle any outstanding payments and bills and make sure the expenses are split as decided as soon as possible.
If the couple is holding a farewell party, your duty is to be part of it. It would be difficult to get up after all the previous day’s activities so set up an alarm. Enjoy the day with your bestie while you can.
Your first and foremost duty as the bridesmaid is to be present on the bride’s big day. Although it is a challenging role but you will have the satisfaction of making this special day into a hassle-free experience for the bride. It is difficult to enlist everything that you might be expected of; this list will give you an idea of what a bridesmaid’s duties are.
Just follow your heart and the checklist and you are good to go!
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