The Evolution Of Bridesmaids: Their Historical Origin Explained

The tradition of bridesmaids has evolved over time, with the role of the bridal party changing significantly since its ancient origins. In modern times, bridesmaids are typically chosen from the bride's close friends or relatives, with their main duties being to assist the bride with wedding planning and provide support on the big day. However, the history of bridesmaids goes back much further and serves a much different purpose.

Bridesmaids dressed like the bride to confuse evil spirits

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids dressed like the bride to confuse evil spirits. Brides were thought to be particularly vulnerable to attack by highwaymen, bandits, or rival suitors, and it was believed that evil spirits would descend upon weddings. With the bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride, it was harder to identify her, thus protecting her from harm.

This tradition also has roots in ancient China during the feudal era. Brides were susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans, so dressing the bridesmaids like the bride lowered the risk of her being identified and taken.

In Roman weddings, there was a legal requirement for ten witnesses to be present, and these were usually friends of the bride and groom, thus forming the bridal party. In both ancient Rome and China, bridesmaids and brides wore the same outfits, including veils to mask their faces, making it even more difficult to identify the bride.

The tradition of bridesmaids dressing like the bride continued into the Victorian era. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, her twelve bridesmaids wore matching white dresses to complement the Queen's satin gown. This began the tradition of royal brides wearing white instead of silver.

Today, bridesmaids' dresses are often chosen to avoid upstaging the bride, but the tradition of wearing matching outfits has its roots in the belief that it would protect the bride from evil spirits and those wishing to cause harm.

The biblical origin of bridesmaids

The origin of the Western bridesmaid tradition likely arose from a combination of factors, including socioeconomic class, family size, socialisation standards, and religion. One of the most well-known origin stories comes from the Bible. In the Book of Genesis (29:24, 46:18), Jacob marries Leah and Rachel, and each of his two wives brings her own "maid". These women were handmaidens (servants or slaves) rather than social peers. They were personal servants who catered to the bride's every need during the wedding day.

In ancient times, bridesmaids were not chosen because of their close relationship or friendship with the bride. Instead, they were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age, who were often domestic workers. Bridesmaids were also tasked with protecting the bride from evil spirits or bandits. In many cultures, brides presented their grooms with a dowry of money, furniture, and other riches, which made them targets for robbers. Bridesmaids served as "decoys", so bandits wouldn't know who the actual bride was.

The maid of honour, or chief bridesmaid, was the bride's "favourite", and she was at the bride's beck and call in the weeks leading up to the wedding. She was also responsible for carrying the monetary portion of the bride's dowry, which put her at great risk. In modern times, the maid of honour's duties are much less dangerous, including planning pre-wedding parties and serving as a point person on the wedding day.

In the past, bridal showers were a way for less well-off brides to collect dowry money from loved ones. These days, bridal showers are much more lighthearted affairs.

Bridesmaids as bodyguards

Bridesmaids have served as bodyguards and protectors of the bride throughout history. In ancient Rome and feudal China, brides often had to travel long distances to their grooms' towns, making them vulnerable to attacks by bandits, highwaymen, or rival suitors. Bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride, serving as decoys and making it difficult for ill-wishers to identify the bride. This practice also extended to veiling the faces of the bride and her bridesmaids.

In addition to protecting the bride from physical harm, bridesmaids also played a role in safeguarding her from evil spirits or supernatural entities that might wish to harm the newlyweds. This belief in the supernatural is reflected in the tradition of carrying bouquets, which were originally not just about aesthetics but also served a functional purpose. Bridesmaids carried fragrant herbs and even garlic to ward off evil spirits and perhaps to mask their body odour in ancient times when bathing was not a daily practice.

The role of bridesmaids as bodyguards and protectors of the bride has evolved over time. In modern times, bridesmaids are more likely to be chosen based on their close relationship and friendship with the bride rather than their ability to serve as decoys or body doubles. While the physical dangers may have diminished, the emotional support and practical assistance provided by bridesmaids remain important aspects of their role.

The evolution of the role in modern times

The role of the bridesmaid has evolved significantly over time, with modern bridesmaids enjoying a much less risky and demanding role than their historical counterparts. In the present day, bridesmaids are typically chosen based on their close relationship and friendship with the bride, rather than their employment by her. They are there to provide emotional and logistical support to the bride, helping with anything from calming pre-wedding nerves to holding the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.

In modern times, the bride chooses the number of bridesmaids she has, with no minimum or maximum. This is in contrast to the past, where the number of bridesmaids was closely calculated to be appropriate to the family's social status, with a large group of bridesmaids acting as a display of wealth.

The duties of the bridesmaid have also changed. While they were once expected to protect the bride from evil spirits or bandits, today they are more likely to be involved in planning pre-wedding events and parties, such as bridal showers and bachelorette parties. These events are now much more lighthearted than in the past, when they served as a way for less well-off brides to collect dowry money.

The role of chief bridesmaid, or maid of honour, has also evolved. While she was once expected to be at the beck and call of the bride in the weeks leading up to the wedding, today she is more likely to be responsible for leading the other bridesmaids and providing practical and emotional support to the bride.

In terms of attire, while bridesmaids historically wore identical outfits to the bride to confuse evil spirits, modern brides are more likely to allow their bridesmaids to choose their own dresses. However, the tradition of matching colours or styles for the bridal party has persisted, with the primary goal now being to ensure the bridesmaids do not outshine the bride.

The tradition of wearing matching colours

The tradition of bridesmaids wearing matching colours or dresses to the bride's can be traced back to ancient Roman times. Bridesmaids would dress identically to the bride to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors who might try to harm the couple. In ancient Rome, Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding, and these witnesses would usually be friends of the bride and groom. This is thought to be a sort of proto-wedding party.

In ancient China, brides were susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans, so dressing the bridesmaids like the bride lowered the risk of her being identified and taken. This custom was also practised in ancient Rome, where the bride would have to travel many miles to her groom's village, making her vulnerable to attack by highwaymen and rival suitors.

In the Victorian era, bridesmaids wore matching white dresses to complement the bride's gown. This trend was started by Queen Victoria, who wore a long white wedding dress, and her bridesmaids matched the colour of her gown.

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