Being asked to be a bridesmaid at your friend or loved one’s wedding is a beautiful and exciting honour! While you’ll be in charge of keeping the wedding spirits high and basking in the enjoyment of the celebrations, there are several tasks that may fall under your responsibility. Here are our top 16 bridesmaid duties to remember:
Pre-wedding duties
There are countless details that need to be organised prior to the wedding. Here are a few you can help out with:
Bridesmaid’s Dresses — Your bridesmaid’s dress is, of course, an essential piece of the wedding puzzle. Bridesmaids are historically responsible for purchasing their gowns and accessories in the bride’s desired colour palette, style, and overall wedding theme. The bride may allow you to choose a dress in the same colour but different style as the other bridesmaids to create harmony while respecting everyone’s individuality. Some brides may also chip in or pay for the dresses themselves, but it’s always a lovely gesture to offer as a bridesmaid.
Hen’s Party — Planning the bride’s hen’s party is one of the most exciting tasks. While this usually falls under the maid of honour’s duties, all bridesmaids can assist in planning and paying for the event. You can enjoy the creative freedom of finding an experience or activity that the esteemed guest of honour would love – whether traditional and wild or modern and intimate.
Emotional Support — One of the greatest gifts you can give the bride before the big day is your unwavering support, kindness, and understanding. Planning a wedding can come with a few curveballs and stresses, so it’s essential you let the bride know you’re there for them — whether they need a listening ear, a fun day away from wedding planning, or just a few encouraging words.
Attend Pre-Wedding Events — Prior to the wedding, there are several events you may need to attend, including an engagement party, a wedding rehearsal, a rehearsal dinner, and even wedding planning catch-ups.
Wedding Gifts — It’s tradition for the bridesmaids or wedding party to give the happy couple a gift. You and the other bridesmaids can pop on your creative caps and hunt down a gem you know the couple would adore. Sticking to a budget to avoid overspending is ideal.
Help with the Wedding Planning — If the bride asks for assistance with invitations, decorations, cake tasting, or other tasks associated with the wedding planning, be sure to show your excitement and willingness with each. It’s important, however, to ensure you don’t overcommit yourself if you don’t have the time or capacity. While the bride will appreciate the assistance, she won’t want you burning yourself out either.
Pre-Wedding Logistics — There are several technical aspects to consider before the wedding day, including where you’re going to stay, who’s bringing what, and how long it takes to get to each wedding location. While these logistics may already be organised by others, knowing your role and where you’re expected to be is essential.
During the wedding
Help the bride glow with confidence, grace, and ease with the following duties on the wedding day:
Know the Schedule — To ensure the happy couple remains calm and organised on their wedding day, you should know the day’s running sheet. If you understand the flow of events, it’ll be easier to manage everyone else around them.
Emergency Kit — Bringing along an emergency wedding kit is a stellar idea as you never know what will be needed on the day. The emergency kit may contain make-up for any necessary touch-ups, dental floss, safety pins, bandaids, deodorant, and other essentials to help the bride in a flash if required.
Ensure the Bride is Well-Fed — It’s so easy for the happy couple to get lost in the excitement, the conversations, and the general buzz of their wedding day. While the bride may want to mingle with every guest, it’s important she keeps her energy up by staying hydrated and well-fed. She’s probably planned a delicious wedding meal — so make sure she enjoys it.
Dance — One of the best parts of a wedding is letting your hair out at the reception and having some fun. While most of the guests have the option to dance, as a bridesmaid, there is an expectation that you are one of the upbeat party people. So don’t be afraid to get out on the dancefloor and encourage others to do so.
Be the Bride’s Personal Mirror — Throughout the course of the wedding day, the bride will be meeting and greeting many people, taking photos, and dancing the night away. She may forget to check her makeup, hair, and teeth amongst all the fun. As a bridesmaid or maid of honour, you are responsible for ensuring the bride looks and feels her best.
Designated Bathroom Buddy — Going to the bathroom in a wedding gown isn’t always the easiest task. If no one has volunteered, you may want to put your hand up as a ‘designated bathroom buddy’ to ensure the bride has all the support and help she needs.
After the wedding:
Gifts — The newlyweds may assign this duty to someone else — but as a bridesmaid, you may be responsible for gathering all of the wedding gifts and taking them either to the newlywed’s home or an alternative location for safe keeping until they return from their honeymoon.
Clean-Up — In some cases, the wedding party may need to stay after the reception to help clean the venue and do a final sweep to ensure nothing has been left behind. Verify with the couple before the wedding day if this will be required of you. Some venues have a clean-up crew, so you may not need to stay back. If, however, it’s a DIY venue, every bit of help is much appreciated.
Share The Post-Wedding Excitement and Photos — After the wedding, the couple will most likely share their wedding photos and videos with their friends and family and would love for you to do the same. Let the world know how spectacular, romantic, and magical their wedding day was.
There are several tasks and duties that may fall under your responsibility as a bridesmaid. The ultimate goal is to help the bride feel and look her best on her wedding day. Offer your support, understanding, stellar organisational skills, kindness, and killer dance moves before, during, and after the big day!
