Your role will require you to help with tasks you may not be considering. Here's the t-do list.
CREDIT: BUTLER WEDDING AT JEKYLL ISLAND, SARAH INGRAM PHOTOGRAPHY
Being a bridesmaid is an honor and fun. It is a lot more than showing up and looking pretty. Honestly, it can be hard work. Your best friend just asked you to be her bridesmaid. You know you are excited but really, what are you supposed do? Ask anyone whose been one and they'll let you know that it's more than a fancy dress and a smile. There's to-dos! I've rounded up a little list of duties you'll be responsible for on the wedding day.
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Be Prepared to Pay the Price
You'll be expected to pay for your dress, shoes, accessories, hair, make-up and travel. It can be glamorous and fun to be a bridesmaid but it does come at a price. A lot of brides try to pitch in like for hair and make up, food or accommodations. Be thankful if she is!
CREDIT: LAUREN + AUSTIN MONTALUCE WINERY WEDDING, HANNAH FORSBURG PHOTOGRAPHY
Choosing The Wedding-Day Attire
It is common for brides to want help choosing the dresses. Be prepared to talk about dress styles, textures and colors. Bridesmaids often join the bride for shopping trips to try on and look at dresses.
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Day-of Wedding Help
On the day of the wedding the bride may need help getting in and out of cars and down stairs. Fix her dress and veil throughout the day especially when posing for photos or when she's atop the aisle. Her bouquet will need to be taken to the ceremony and the cans on the get-away-car need to be put on the vehicle. Other things you can help with the day of the event are rounding up family members for photos, paying suppliers and helping her go to the bathroom. It's a good idea to bring along an emergency kit and be prepared to make a speech her honor.
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Keep Your Calendar Open for Parties
It is your responsibility as a bridesmaid to attend parties throughout the engagement and especially the engagement party. Yes, that means bridal showers and the bachelorette party. At the parties you may be asked to take care of things like buying favors, keeping track of who gave what, or pitching in for a gift, etc.
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Buying a Gift
Bridesmaids are expected to give a gift for bridal showers and the wedding. Sometimes wedding parties will join forces and surprise the bride or couple with a group present instead of giving individual gift.
Offering a Hand on Wedding-Related Tasks
As mentioned above, you are expected to help in day-of tasks. Keep mind that It is important that you also offer a helping had on wedding related projects throughout the planning process. This might mean things like meeting with the florist, choosing stationary, stuffing invitations, or putting stamps on envelopes.
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Participating in the Wedding Ceremony
One of the most obvious bridesmaid duties is participating in the wedding ceremony. Typically the bridesmaids process down the aisle with the groomsmen before the bride's entrance.
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Grabbing Snacks
This is a super important task that can be overlooked. Avoid the grumpiness brought on by a hangry bride by tucking in a munchaules and lots of water. This also helps everyone from getting too tipsy on any pre-ceremony cocktails! You may be surprised at how many times a bride will forget to eat because of nerves, time shortage or being rushed. You need to bring goodies for yourself, the bride and other maids to have while getting ready and throughout the event.
CREDIT: THIS JEKYLL ISLAND WEDDING IS GIVING US BUTTERFLIES, STYLE ME PRETTY, SARAH INGRAM PHOTOGRAPHY
Final Thoughts on Bridesmaid Duties
There's no doubt that being a bridesmaid can be a lot of work but it is a big honor that is important. Although bridesmaid duties can vary depending on the bride's personality and style of the wedding be prepared with a proper to-do list that will have her covered. It is hard but it's so much fun that it feels easy. You'll be supporting the bride throughout her engagement and the memories will last a life time. Enjoy it!
CREDIT: A CLASSIC SOUTHERN WEDDING AT MUSGROVE PLANTATION ON STYLE ME PRETTY, THE HAPPY BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHY