Bonding Bridesmaids: Creating A Sisterhood Before The Big Day

Being a bridesmaid is an honour, but it can also be stressful. One of the biggest challenges for bridesmaids is getting to know each other before the big day. After all, the bridal party can be made up of friends, family, and acquaintances from different stages of the bride's life, and they may not all know each other. So, how can you bring your bridesmaids together? Here are some tips to help everyone feel comfortable and ensure your wedding day goes smoothly.

Help your bridesmaids get to know each other

There's a good chance your bridesmaids don't know each other, and there may be some drama between them (there usually is!)! To lessen the drama, it's a good idea to help your bridesmaids get to know each other before the wedding weekend and build relationships. Here are some suggestions:

• Hold a bridesmaids' weekend.
• Start a bridesmaids Facebook group.
• Invite your bridesmaids to the wedding several days early so you can all spend time together.
• Go out to eat, get manicures and pedicures, go to a spa, sample wine and cheese, or go shopping.
• Set up a group text, email, or Facebook page. If your bridesmaids are spread out across the country and it's too much to coordinate a trip, a pre-wedding get-together may not be possible. A Facebook group, group text, or email thread can be a great outlet for advice, catching up, and keeping up with wedding details.
• Embrace the group mentality. Send a group email with everyone's name, role, email address, and phone number so they can contact one another. Make sure your maid of honour has all the important contact information they might need.
• Create a Guesterly Book. Ask each of your bridesmaids to answer a short questionnaire on Guesterly.com. Put their photo and information together in a cute booklet and share it with your bridal party so they can learn a little more about each other before the big day.
• Try to set up an in-person meeting. If some (or all) of your bridal party are local, get everyone together in person. There's no better way to form a bond! Invite them over, meet for brunch, or take a class together.

Set up a group text, email or Facebook page

Setting up a group text, email, or Facebook page is a great way to bring your bridesmaids together, especially if they are spread out across the country and it's too difficult to coordinate a trip or pre-wedding get-together. This method can be an excellent outlet for advice, catching up, getting to know each other, and keeping up with wedding details. It can also be a great way to initiate conversations and spark friendships, as they will likely friend and follow each other on various social media platforms.

To get started, create a wedding Facebook group and invite all of your bridesmaids to join. Alternatively, you can start a group text or email thread with everyone's contact information. If you choose to create a Facebook group, you can make it a private group so that only your bridesmaids can access it. This will allow them to chat, share photos, and get to know each other in a more relaxed and intimate setting.

In your initial message or post, introduce everyone and include their names, roles, and any other relevant information. This will help your bridesmaids put names to faces and feel more connected to one another. You can also encourage them to share a little bit about themselves, such as how they know the bride, their hobbies, or their favourite things to do in their free time.

Throughout the planning process, use this platform to share updates, ask for input, and create excitement for the upcoming wedding. For example, you can post about dress fittings, bachelorette party plans, or even just fun wedding-related content that you think your bridesmaids would enjoy. By creating a space for your bridesmaids to connect and engage, you'll be fostering a sense of community and helping them form bonds that will make your wedding day even more special.

Remember, the goal is to create a sense of camaraderie and friendship among your bridesmaids, and a group text, email, or Facebook page can be an excellent way to achieve that, especially if meeting in person is not feasible.

Make the introduction

Making the introduction is an important step in bringing your bridesmaids together. Here are some tips to help you facilitate this process:

Embrace the Group Mentality:

It's your responsibility as the bride to ensure your bridesmaids get to know each other. Avoid relying solely on your wedding website for introductions. Instead, take a more proactive approach by sending a group email introducing each bridesmaid by name, along with their role, email address, and phone number. This way, they can easily connect and communicate with each other.

Set Up a Group Text, Email, or Facebook Page:

If your bridesmaids are spread across different locations, consider creating a dedicated Facebook group, group text, or email thread to bring them together. This virtual space can be used for advice, catching up, getting to know each other, and staying updated on wedding details. They are also likely to connect on social media, which can further foster conversations and build excitement for your big day.

Encourage Conversations and Autonomy:

While you'll want to be part of certain conversations, such as choosing attire or scheduling hair and makeup, it's important to give your bridesmaids the space to connect and plan without you. Trust that they will handle the necessary tasks and be prepared for some pleasant surprises!

Create a Guesterly Book:

Consider creating a booklet that includes fun information about each of your bridesmaids. Ask them to fill out a short questionnaire and include their photo and responses in the booklet. Share this with your bridal party so they can learn more about one another before the wedding. This can be a great icebreaker and help foster a sense of familiarity.

Suggest In-Person Meetings:

If some or all of your bridesmaids are local, encourage them to meet up in person as soon as possible. Suggest brunch at your favourite restaurant or plan an activity that will help them bond. The more they interact and create shared experiences, the closer they will become.

Create a Guesterly book

Creating a Guesterly book is a fun and unique way to bring your bridesmaids together. It's like a yearbook for your bridal party! Here's how you can create one:

Step 1: Choose a Platform

Start by choosing a platform like Guesterly.com, which offers an easy and simple process for creating your Guesterly book. This platform allows your bridal party to upload photos and answer questions about themselves.

Step 2: Design Your Look Book

The next step is to design the look and feel of your Guesterly book. You can choose the questions you want your bridesmaids to answer, and also select a theme or style that reflects your wedding aesthetic.

Step 3: Invite Your Bridesmaids to Contribute

Once you've set up the framework, invite your bridesmaids to participate. They will receive a request to upload a photo and answer the questions you've prepared. This process should only take a few minutes for each person, and it's a fun way to get everyone involved.

Step 4: Compile and Share the Book

After you've gathered all the content, it's time to compile it into a cute booklet. You can either print the Guesterly book or opt for a digital version. Share the final product with your bridal party so they can learn more about each other before the big day.

Step 5: Distribute the Booklet

Ideally, you should distribute the Guesterly book to your bridesmaids 7-10 days before the wedding. This timing ensures that everyone has a chance to read about each other and feel more connected when they come together to celebrate your special day.

Creating a Guesterly book is a wonderful way to foster a sense of camaraderie and friendship among your bridesmaids. It's a keepsake that they can cherish long after the wedding, reminding them of the fun and special moments shared with your bridal party.

Try to set up an in-person meeting

If some or all of your bridesmaids live locally, it's a good idea to get everyone together in person as soon as possible. Meeting in person is the best way to form a bond and get everyone comfortable with each other. You could invite them over, meet for brunch, or try one of these fun get-together ideas:

Learn Something Together

Take a class together. This is a great way to get your bridal party comfortable with one another, and it gives you something to chat about and bond over. If you're getting married on the beach, you could take surfing lessons. Or, if you want to get in the kitchen, try a group cooking class. You'll learn some new skills and be able to entertain in the future.

Find Common Interests

If you and your folks love wine, consider a winery tour and tasting. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, and your bridal party will get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also pick up some skills to show off at your menu tasting.

A Dinner Tour

For a local group, organise a dinner at some of your favourite spots. Move on to different locations for each course: appetizers, mains, and dessert. Get your bridal party involved by asking them to recommend spots for each stop, and share your favourite hidden gems.

Become Master Mixologists

If you're serving a signature cocktail at the wedding, invite your bridesmaids over to help you decide on the final recipe. Pick your favourite liquors, mixers, and garnishes, and spend an evening testing combinations. Then, take suggestions for the perfect name. Don't forget to write down the recipe!

Do a Unique Activity

Relationship advice expert and author April Masini recommends inviting your bridal party out to lunch and having a psychic do short readings. This will break the ice and create a shared memory.

Frequently asked questions