Congrats, you are getting married and choose your bridal party OR Congrats, you have been chosen to be a part of someone’s big day! No matter how you have landed here, we are glad that you did.

Planning a wedding can be stressful along with everyday life.  You may have chosen and invited your bridesmaids to stand beside you on your special day, exciting and but now you have lots of questions. If you are looking for guidance on how to handle your bridesmaids or if you have been asked to be a Maid of Honor or Bridesmaid here are the 3 P’s to follow to be an amazing Bridesmaid.

PAY 

It is not uncommon for a bridal party to have financial responsibilities when it comes to being in a wedding. Unless stated otherwise, it is safe to assume you will have to (gasp) budget for certain things. 

• Your wedding day outfit. 
  • Dress, shoes and accessories (unless stated otherwise and this is part of the bride’s gift to you)
• Any travel accommodations including your flight and hotel stay
• Bridal Shower: this includes, but not limited to; decor, activities and food/beverage
• Bachelorette Party: the cost of the party will be split between all Bridesmaids. 
• Hair and make-up on the big day (some brides give this to their Bridesmaids, plan for this expense just in case). 

PLAN 

Of course, planning requires, well, planning. There are aspects of the bride’s engagement journey that bridesmaids will plan and take care of.    

Bridesmaids are usually the charge of pre-wedding celebrations such as the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party.   As we talked about it earlier, make sure to allocate some of the budget to this as well.   Generally, bridesmaids pay for these expenses.  

Photo Credit: Andre Brown Photography  | Cain’s Camera Photography 

PREPARE

Now that you have ordered your attire and have planned the pre-wedding celebrations it is time to prepare for wedding weekend duties.  These are typical duties for the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids. 

This list below is inclusive but does not limit any other designated duties. Remember to check with the Bride for anything else she may need assistance with (especially if she doesn’t have a planner):

• If the bride is including DIY projects for the wedding, be prepared to help assemble and transport to the ceremony/reception site.
• Be of immediate and complete assistance to the bride, especially if she doesn’t have a planner.
• Maid/Matron-of-Honor, be prepared to hold the bouquet for the bride during the ceremony. If the bride forgets to take it back after it’s okay, find a safe place for her to retrieve later.   
• Stay close to the Bride & Groom during formal and family portraits (assist in gathering family members if asked by the photographer).  Maid/Matron-of-Honor offer to stay with the couple during “Couples” portraits.
• Maid/Matron-of-Honor – prepare a speech. The Bride will love to hear a few words from you during the toast at the reception.  
• Emergency Kit –  if the Bride has a planner she will have an emergency kit full of “Just-in-Case” items. If she doesn’t have a planner, assist the Bride in preparing a kit that has some emergency items (etc..white nail polish, tide to go, hair ties/bobby pins, feminine products and other hygienic items)
• Prepare to make sure that the Bride is eating when she needs to. If she has a planner, you typically just need to keep track of breakfast and maybe lunch but if no planner is detected, be prepared to make sure all meals are consumed. It is okay to let guests know that the bride and groom need a second to eat during dinner. Often guests are excited to see them and anxious to talk to them but it will be a long day. 
• Be the life of the party. After all, we are all here to celebrate and being a bridesmaid still has fun and games. Sometimes you have those guests that need a little extra push to get on the dance floor. That is your cue!
• Assist with gathering all personal items at the end of the night and make sure they get to the designated person or location. 
• Collect cake topper and to-go box from the cater at the end of the night 
• Assist with reception breakdown (if Bride doesn’t have a planner) 

Photo Credit: Fotos by Fola | Paige Molina Photography

Being a bridesmaid is more than parties and standing at the altar in a pretty dress.  You have a list of tasks and responsibilities to your close friend or sibling that will aid them in having the best day ever, all while celebrating with them. This list is not comprehensive; it is a guide check with the Bride she may add or delete items. 

If you have any other questions, whether you are a Bride or a Bridesmaid, please feel free to contact us. Who knows, maybe we could add another “P”.  HAPPY PLANNING!