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Bridesmaids play an integral part of any wedding.
They're on
hand to comfort, console, multitask, and party hearty at
all bridal event(s). Whether it's your first bridesmaid
gig or your 50th, here's a cheat sheet of your to-dos.
·
Offer to help with pre-wedding tasks. Be specific
when you volunteer. Say, "Would you like me
to help you shop for bridesmaid dresses? Stuff
invitations? Pack for the honeymoon?" instead of
"What can I do?"
·
Scout out
bridesmaid dresses,
shoes, jewelry, and other accessories. Pay for the
entire ensemble. (Try to break in your shoes before the
wedding day -- this will minimize any slipping or blisters
from occurring.)
·
Help to plan, co-host, and pay for the shower and
bachelorette party
with other bridesmaids.
· If the
maid/matron of honor isn't already handling this task, keep a record of all
the gifts received at various parties and showers (so
that the bride/couple can write thank-you notes);
maintain RSVP lists.
· Attend the ceremony rehearsal and
rehearsal dinner. (Stay on top of all pre-wedding
parties, and go to
as many as possible.)
·
Offer to run any last-minute errands. On the day of the wedding, be
on hand to confirm flower delivery times, meet and greet
the ceremony officiant, or assist with guests.
·
Stand in the receiving line per
the bride's request.
·
Serve as auxiliary hostess at the reception by
introducing guests, making sure they know where the bar
is located, and inviting them to sign the guest book.
· Hit the dance floor when the
music kicks in. Dance with groomsmen during the formal
first-dance sequence. Be on the lookout for toe-tapping guests who might need
some encouragement and/or a dance partner.
· Give the maid/matron of honor a
break by helping to carry the bride's train whenever
necessary. Bustle the train before dancing begins, and
be ready to help fix it if it comes unhooked. Accompany
the bride on visits to the restroom, if asked.
·
Purchase a wedding present perhaps with one or several
of the other bridesmaids. This provides more buying
power, and two heads are better than one when it comes
to gift ideas. Sometimes the entire bridesmaid troupe
pitches in for one knock-her-socks-off wedding gift.
·
Be supportive, no matter how stressful the event
becomes. Try not to complain about the bridesmaid dress
-- even if the color is horrible against your
complexion. Be gracious and
tactful.
·
Provide plenty of emotional support during the planning
and on the wedding day.
~ photo
courtesy of Tonesha Housen
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Bridesmaid
Duties
