Questions and Answers - The Bridesmaids

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The Bridesmaids

Being a bridesmaid is not just having to wear a dress and stand up in the front with the Bride at her wedding. Bridesmaids are very helpful to the Bride and the Maid of Honor with planning the wedding and all the ceremonies in-between. Every situation is different and some couples do not follow tradition. The following are suggestions of how the bridesmaid can do her part to help the Bride on her special day.

A Junior Bridesmaid is a young lady between the ages of 9 and 16 who is too young to be a regular bridesmaid and too old to be a flower girl -- and someone the bride wants to be part of her entourage. It is considered to be a great honor to be chosen as a junior bridesmaid. The dress and accessories for the junior bridesmaid is often paid for by the bride's family but, in some cases, the parents of the junior bridesmaid may wish to pay for it as a gift to the bride.

What are the "duties" of a Bridesmaid?

Good bridesmaids take their commitment to the Bride seriously and offer support to the Bride and Maid of Honor with many tasks during the planning stage as well as the actual ceremony. A good Bridesmaid will be on time for all functions and ceremonies and be positive and a joy to be around. She should spread cheer in the face of what is usually a very crazy time to the Bride and Maid of Honor. She's moral support!

Help the Bride and Maid of Honor whenever asked to do so and offer help when not asked.
Be involved with the Bachelorette Party. Do more than attend it.
The Maid of Honor is usually the one to lead the bachelorette party planning. As a bridesmaid it is your duty to help with the arrangements and help send invitations, etc. A good bridesmaid will help with cost of the party whether it's for a limo or the cost of the food and beverages. More about the Bachelorette Party...
Be involved with the Bridal Shower.
Take your cue from the Maid of Honor and help out wherever possible with the planning and execution of the bridal shower. Help with the food and decorations and also chip in with the cost. More about the Bridal Shower....
Be the cheerleader.
By the time the wedding finally rolls around the bride's and many times the maid of honor's nerves are worn thin. Tempers flare and things go wrong. As a bridesmaid you should be as cheerful as possible to help them get through it.
Wear the dress without complaining.
Keep your mouth shut if you don't care for the style of dress you are to wear. The Bride has taken a lot of time and a lot of thought was put into the dress choice. Although many brides will pay for the dress do not assume that she will (or can in some cases). Offer to pay for the dress, shoes and lingerie yourself. It's actually very common for bridesmaids to pay for their own.
Bring "supplies" to the wedding.
Be the thoughtful one and bring emergency supplies in case other ladies in the wedding party, including the bride, forget something. Bring extra bobby pins, safety pins, hairspray, lotions and sample toiletry items. Have an extra pair of pantyhose in the bride's size just in case she gets a run in hers. Bring an emergency sewing kit and nail clippers and file.
Involve the Guests at the Reception.
Guests may be hesitant to get up an dance during the reception. Start by dancing with the members of the wedding party then move to the guest tables and invite everyone who will come with you to the floor. Begin a conga line and pull people up from their seats to join. During the reception the Best Man will be the first to toast the new couple, often followed by the Maid of Honor, Parents of the bride and groom, and close family members. Volunteer your own toast and encourage others to do the same. Mingle with the guests and encourage them to socialize.