Your best friend and her beau are tying the knot, and you’ve been asked to stand alongside them at the altar. While saying ‘yes’ to your BFF may be easy, we know there are lots of bridesmaid responsibilities that aren’t always so clear. Before they say ‘I do’, make sure you know what to do (and not to do) in the days leading up to and on their big day.
DO:
- Cover your Expenses
As a bridesmaid you should expect to cover the costs for wedding attire, lodging, salon services and pre-wedding events. Make sure to budget accordingly.
- Be Available
The months leading up to the wedding may be a bit emotional for the bride. Make sure to stay in touch throughout the planning process and make yourself available when you can. A text or a call just to see how she’s doing can go a long way.
Image source: Degroot Film Co.
- Offer Assistance
Weddings require a lot of work and attention. While the bride may promise you she has everything under control, see if there are little things you can do to help lessen her to-do list. Offer something simple like, mailing the invites. Or offer to go to vendor appointments with her if she needs support.
- Be Positive
Weddings are not only expensive and stressful for the couple, but for the bridal party members as well. Do your best to keep out of any bridal party drama, stay quiet about the unflattering bridesmaid dress, and remain positive! The bride will be thankful for you.
Image Source: Harper and Brothers Images
- Drink Responsibly
We get it, open bar + wedding = good time! Try to be conscious about how much you’re drinking, not only at the wedding but at the pre-wedding events as well. You’d hate to do something embarrassing (though we don’t know anything about that) that might ruin the experience for other guests or the couple.
DON’T:
- Make the day about you
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the emotions of a wedding. Whether you’re frustrated because your plus one can’t attend, or your salon styled curls are falling flat—make sure the focus is on the bride or the couple. Try to set your problems aside. At the very least, keep your worries out of earshot of the bride.
- Be late
The day of the wedding especially will have a strict timeline of events. Make sure you arrive to appointments and events before the start time to ensure you’re ready. This will alleviate stress from the bride and other bridesmaids when they’re not wondering where you are.
Image source: Degroot Film Co.
- Force your opinion
If the bride asks for your opinion, tread lightly. While it is important to talk her off a ledge every now and again, be mindful of how your opinion may impact her decisions. Offer kind suggestions while making sure her voice is still heard.
- Be a Party-Pooper
You weren’t asked simply to show up (you’re more than a guest)—you need to bring your ‘A-Game’. This means staying out late for the bachelorette party (even though you’d love to catch up on some Z’s), playing silly bridal shower games, and dancing your butt off to cheesy DJ-jams.
Image Source: Harper and Brothers Images
- Overstep
As a bridesmaid, you will have plenty of opportunities to be involved in the wedding. If the bride is having issues with a vendor, family member, or anything else…unless asked, don’t step in to save the day. Overstepping your boundaries can not only put the bride and couple in an awkward situation but a lot of times can make things worse. Ask if you can support her, otherwise try to keep a distance in these situations.
At the end of the day, no one gives our lives a dose of sunshine quite like a friend does. Your bride couldn't do this without you, so be the rockstar you know she needs!
