Basics of Being a Bridesmaid

Being asked to be a bridesmaid for any one of the women you hold dear is an incredible honor – but is also a big responsibility. Sure, you’d be very happy to lend a hand in planning certain aspects of the wedding, but taking on the bridesmaid role means you’ll have to commit to certain duties and, yes, expenses. It’s not all that bad, though, since you’ll not only be doing it for an awesome friend, but you’ll also be having loads of fun before and even during the wedding.

For those who have yet to experience their first stint as a bridesmaid, here are some of the basics you’ll need to remember:

 

1. Attend parties you’re invited to in the bride’s honor.

As part of the wedding party, you’ll most likely be invited to the parties that other friends and family members throw in the bride’s honor, not to mention planning one yourself with the other members of the bridal party. Try to make time to attend as many of these as you can. Not only is it a way of showing support to the bride, but it’s also an opportunity to have fun with everyone. Gifts are usually optional for these kinds of parties, but you can, of course, prepare smaller gifts such as bridal party robes for the wedding party to wear while preparing on the day of the wedding.

Monogrammed Robes from Wedding Prep Gals

 

2. Offer to help in small yet time-consuming pre-wedding tasks.

Things like printing out the addresses for their invites, or even picking up a gift for the mother of the bride such as tennis bracelets or stud earrings, can be time-consuming for the engaged couple. Offer to help out in little tasks that may take up too much of the bride and groom’s time. This way, you can ease their burdens and stress a little as they see to other aspects of the wedding preparations that need their attention.

 

3. Lend emotional support.

It goes without saying that the bridesmaids are usually some of the bride’s closest friends, so your role as someone to lend emotional support is expected. Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and it can get too stressful for the bride and groom, so try to be a crying shoulder or sounding board for the bride whenever she needs one.

 

4. Assist the bride as necessary during the wedding day.

Bridesmaids are typically always around the bride during the wedding day to offer assistance as necessary, whether it be by helping her fix her make up before proceeding to the reception, or helping her gather her train as she goes up and down the stairs. It’s bridesmaid etiquette to be there for the bride for whatever assistance she may need on the day of the wedding.

 

5. Be a trooper, not a downer.

Yes, bridezillas do exist, those brides that seem to find fault in something as little as her lace being tied incorrectly. But even if your friend happens to be one herself, that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit and be a bridesmaid nightmare yourself. Be a trooper, even in the most stressful of instances during the wedding as that will help in bringing up the mood of everyone around you as you celebrate such a joyous occasion.

There really isn’t any clear cut set of rules when it comes to what bridesmaids should and shouldn’t do, but the bottom line is that you’re there as one of your best friend’s favorite girls. As such, that means being there both physically and emotionally for her on her special day.