Make Non-Bridesmaids Feel Special With These Creative Gestures

Planning a wedding without bridesmaids is becoming an increasingly popular choice for brides. While it may be a non-traditional decision, there are several benefits to skipping the bridal party, such as avoiding the stress of choosing between friends and family and saving money on the costs associated with a bridal party. However, not having bridesmaids means missing out on a time-honored tradition and built-in support system on your wedding day. So, how can you make non-bridesmaids feel special? There are several ways to involve your closest friends and family members in your wedding celebrations, such as inviting them to take part in a photoshoot, doing a reading during the ceremony, or helping with the planning and preparations.

Invite them to a special dinner or day out

There are many ways to make non-bridesmaids feel special, and one of them is to invite them to a special dinner or day out. Here are some ideas to do it in style:

Rehearsal Dinner

Traditionally, the bridal party is included in the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. You can invite your nearest and dearest friends to join you for dinner and speeches. This is a great way to make your friends feel special and included in your big day.

Brunch or Lunch

If a dinner doesn't suit your schedule, you can opt for something more casual and informal, like a wedding morning brunch or lunch ahead of the wedding. This is a great opportunity to catch up and spend quality time with your friends in a relaxed setting.

Cocktail Evening

For a more sophisticated affair, invite your friends to an evening of craft cocktails and canapes. You can either host this at your favourite local cocktail bar or make it an at-home affair with a hired bartender. This option allows you to combine fun and celebration with the honour of requesting their presence at your wedding.

Boozy Brunch

If you want to incorporate some bubbles, plan a boozy brunch with mimosas and your friends' favourite breakfast dishes. This is a great way to combine fun and celebration while popping the question to your friends.

Coffee Date

For a more intimate setting, organise a special coffee date with each friend at one of your favourite coffee shops. You can even ask the barista to write the question on the cup instead of your friend's name. Just make sure they read it before they finish their drink!

Themed Movie Night

Host a movie night with a twist! Gather your crew at your place for a night of popcorn, candy, and wedding-themed films. As the credits start rolling, make your announcement and pop the question, referencing a character or scene from the movie.

Spa Day

If you're looking for a relaxing option, plan a spa day at your local spa for your friends. If you're on a budget, you can always host this at your home with face masks, eye cream, and champagne. This is a great way to unwind and connect with your friends while making them feel special.

Delegate traditional duties to them

One of the best ways to make non-bridesmaids feel special is to delegate traditional bridesmaid duties to them. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Planning and Hosting Duties

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so why not delegate some planning duties to your non-bridesmaid friends? They can help with organising pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party. They can also lend a hand with wedding planning tasks such as stuffing envelopes, alphabetising escort cards, or even making trips with the bride to pick out rentals or attend hair and makeup trials. By involving them in the planning process, you'll make them feel valued and included.

Emotional Support

Ask your non-bridesmaid friends to provide emotional support to the bride in the lead-up to the wedding. They can check in with her, offer a listening ear, and help alleviate any stress or worries she may be experiencing. They can also be there for moral support and spend time with the bride, whether it's meeting for coffee or enjoying a spa day together. This will help take some pressure off the bridesmaids and make your non-bridesmaid friends feel important.

Wedding Day Duties

On the wedding day itself, there are several duties that can be delegated to non-bridesmaids. They can assist with the bride's preparation, such as helping her into her dress, fixing her hair, or providing last-minute touches to her makeup. They can also ensure the bride stays hydrated and has something to eat during the busy day. Additionally, they can act as a point of contact for guests and vendors, directing them to the right places and answering any questions they may have. This will free up the bridesmaids to focus on their specific duties while still making your non-bridesmaid friends feel included.

Post-Wedding Assistance

Even after the wedding, there are plenty of tasks that non-bridesmaids can help with. They can assist with returning rentals, writing thank-you notes, or organising miscellaneous wedding items. They can also check in with the couple after the honeymoon to offer continued support and friendship. By delegating these post-wedding duties, you'll not only make your non-bridesmaid friends feel special but also provide much-needed assistance during the busy post-wedding period.

Transportation and Accommodation

Another practical way to involve non-bridesmaids is by asking them to take care of their own transportation and accommodation for the wedding. They can book their travel and hotel reservations early, ensuring they are conveniently located for all the wedding events. This will take a burden off the bridesmaids and make your non-bridesmaid friends feel useful and included in the wedding festivities.

Include them in the ceremony

There are several ways to include non-bridesmaids in the wedding ceremony. Here are some suggestions:

Usher

A role traditionally performed by groomsmen, assigning the role of usher to a non-bridesmaid is a great way to include them in the ceremony. They can help to greet and seat guests, and it's a simple task that doesn't require too much responsibility. This role is perfect for outgoing friends or family members who want to feel involved.

Reading or Poem

Asking a non-bridesmaid to do a reading or perform a poem during the ceremony is a wonderful way to include them. It's an honour to be asked, and it adds a personal touch to the ceremony. This role is ideal for those who are comfortable with public speaking and want to contribute to the wedding in a meaningful way.

Officiant

If you have a friend or family member who is a good public speaker and knows the couple well, why not ask them to be the officiant? This role is usually filled by a religious figure or a legally ordained individual, but it can be a wonderful way to include someone special in the ceremony. It adds a deeply intimate and personal touch to the wedding.

Musician or Singer

If you have musically inclined friends or family members, why not ask them to perform during the ceremony? They can provide prelude music as guests arrive or perform during the ceremony itself. This role is a beautiful way to showcase their talent and make them feel valued.

Candle Lighter

Lighting the candles at the altar is a traditional role that can be assigned to a non-bridesmaid. It is often given to younger siblings or cousins and is a great way to involve younger family members in the ceremony.

Ring Bearer or Flower Person

While traditionally performed by children, there's no reason why a close friend or family member can't fill these roles. It's a fun and lighthearted way to include someone in the ceremony, and it adds a touch of whimsy to the proceedings.

Get ready together

Getting ready for the wedding with your closest friends and family is one of the most cherished parts of the wedding day. Although this tradition is often associated with bridesmaids, there is no reason why you can't include your closest friends in this special moment.

If you have friends who are not bridesmaids, but who are staying at the same hotel as you, or who have travelled long distances to be at your wedding, you may want to invite them to get ready with you, your bridesmaids, and your mom. It's a great way to spend more time with them and have fun hanging out and drinking mimosas together.

However, it is important to consider the logistics of this arrangement. For example, if you and your bridesmaids are having your hair and makeup done professionally, it could be awkward for your non-bridesmaid friends to just watch or do their own. In this case, you could offer to cover the cost of their hair and makeup, or let them know that they are welcome to join you, but that they will need to arrange their own hair and makeup. Being upfront about the arrangements will help to avoid any potential awkwardness.

Additionally, if there is a significant amount of time between when you finish getting ready and the start of the wedding, your non-bridesmaid friends may feel obligated to participate and then have a weird window of time to kill. To avoid this, you could invite them to join you towards the end of the getting-ready time, for the dress reveal and photos.

If you're unsure about how your non-bridesmaid friends would feel about being invited to get ready with you, you can always ask them casually, letting them know that they are welcome to join, but that you understand if they would prefer to sleep in or do their own thing. For example, you could say something like, "Hey, you're welcome to stop by and hang out with us while we're getting ready if you want! I'd love to spend more time with you, but if you'd feel awkward or want some time to yourself, that's totally fine too."

Ultimately, it's your wedding day, and you can do whatever you want! If you want to get ready with your non-bridesmaid friends, go for it! Just be sure to communicate clearly and consider their feelings to ensure that everyone has a positive and enjoyable experience.

Take a special photo

Capturing beautiful photos with your bridal party is a must on your special day. Here are some tips to make sure you get those perfect shots with your non-bridesmaids:

Getting Ready Photos

Include your non-bridesmaids in the morning preparations. Get everyone together for a fun photo in their morning outfits, whether it's cute matching PJs or glamorous robes. Pop open a bottle of bubbly and capture the candid moment of the pop. Wait until hair and makeup are done so everyone looks their best, then get a photo of the entire bridal party with their bouquets.

Goofy and Fun Photos

Encourage everyone to let loose and be themselves. A recent trend is a pre-dress dance party, where the bridal party, clad in their robes, dances to their favourite tunes. This creates a lively atmosphere and results in vibrant, energetic photos that capture the joy of the moment. Another fun idea is to have the bridal party wave their bouquets in the air, adding extra energy to the shot.

Sentimental Photos

Capture the love and support of your non-bridesmaids with sentimental photos. A simple shot of them helping you with your veil or giving you a hug can speak volumes. A close-up photo of their hands fastening your veil is a sweet moment to cherish. You can also get a photo of them helping you put on your dream dress or adjusting your jewellery.

Creative Poses and Angles

Play around with different poses and angles to add a bit of creativity to your photos. Try a side angle shot with pretty parasols for a feminine, romantic vibe. Get a photo from behind, with the bridal party under your veil. Or, for a playful shot, have them line up behind you for a silly photo op.

Scenic Backdrops

Utilise the unique features of your venue for stunning backdrops. If you have a waterfront wedding, find the nearest dock for a natural, carefree photo. Stagger the bridal party in the pews of the church for a shot that lets the bride take centre stage. Scout out amazing spots at your venue, such as a staircase for a glamorous cast photo or a scenic view for a picturesque background.

Frequently asked questions