Bridesmaids: One Word Or Two? Wedding Lingo Explained

A bridesmaid is a young woman who attends the bride at a wedding ceremony. She is often a close friend or relative of the bride and helps with the wedding preparations and provides emotional support. The term bridesmaid can be found in various forms, such as bride's maid or bride-maid, but the most common spelling is bridesmaid, as a single word.

'Bridesmaid' spelling

The word "bridesmaid" refers to a woman who attends to the bride on the day of a wedding or marriage ceremony. The word is a combination of "bride", "'s", and "maid", and was first recorded in the English language between 1545 and 1555. The plural form of the word is "bridesmaids".

The role of a bridesmaid is to provide support and assistance to the bride before and during the wedding. They may also be involved in planning wedding-related events such as bridal showers or bachelorette parties. In some cultures, bridesmaids were traditionally chosen from unmarried young women of marriageable age, though in modern times, the bride may choose any woman to be her bridesmaid, regardless of age or marital status.

The principal bridesmaid, sometimes known as the chief bridesmaid, may also be given the title of "maid of honour" if she is unmarried, or "matron of honour" if she is married. In the United States, the maid or matron of honour and the best man are typically the official witnesses for the wedding license.

The male equivalent of a bridesmaid is a "groomsman", also known as an "usher" in British English.

Who can be a bridesmaid?

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some Western traditional wedding ceremonies. A bridesmaid is typically a young woman and often the bride's close friend or relative.

In the past, bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age. However, this is no longer the case, and a bride can choose to have married friends as bridesmaids. Bridesmaids can be of any age, and it is common for brides to include their siblings in their wedding party. If they are very young, they may serve as flower girls or junior bridesmaids.

When choosing bridesmaids, it is important to consider reliability, personalities, and budgets. It is also worth thinking about how many bridesmaids to have and who to include to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. Bridesmaids are usually expected to help with some aspects of wedding planning and may be asked to spend a significant amount of money on travel, gifts, and pre-wedding parties.

Bridesmaid duties

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some traditional Western wedding ceremonies. The role of a bridesmaid is to support the bride and be by her side on her wedding day.

• Plan the hen party
• Create a WhatsApp group with the bride and all the bridesmaids
• Check in with the couple regularly and offer practical help
• Be specific about what needs to be done
• Visit the wedding venue and help make decisions on layout and decor
• Meet the wedding coordinator and offer yourself as a point of contact on the day
• Help with any wedding DIY sessions
• Make yourself available for wedding dress shopping and fittings
• Listen to any wedding planning woes and be supportive and enthusiastic
• Book some pre-wedding pampering
• Make sure your room is booked if you're staying at the venue
• Take a couple of days off work before the wedding to help out
• Attend any beauty appointments
• Help shop for and organise the wedding bathroom baskets
• Help with transport, last-minute errands, and wedding set-up
• Make sure you have the shoes, accessories, and underwear you need
• Help the bride to pack
• Prep an on-the-day emergency kit
• Prep a wedding morning playlist and buy some bubbly
• Help diffuse any pre-wedding stress or tensions
• Get a list of the couple's suppliers and their contact info for the day
• Get a copy of the wedding timeline and familiarise yourself with it
• Attend the ceremony rehearsal
• Attend the rehearsal dinner
• Wake up early and be on time
• Help keep the atmosphere in the room upbeat
• Make sure the bride eats breakfast
• Ensure hair and makeup appointments are running on time
• Introduce yourself to key people, like the photographer, videographer, or florist
• Keep an eye on the time
• Field any questions from guests and suppliers, and keep any issues away from the couple
• Make sure the prep room doesn't get too hot or crowded
• Help the bride into her dress, and assist with shoes and jewellery
• Help her in and out of cars or down stairs
• Fix her dress and veil throughout the day
• Take her bouquet for the ceremony
• Arrange for cans or a 'Just Married' sign to be on the back of the wedding car
• Help round up family members for photos
• Pay any suppliers you've been asked to pay
• Carry an emergency kit and the bride's lipstick, and let her know if she needs touch-ups
• Assist her when going to the bathroom, if required
• Keep the bride hydrated and fed
• Assist with little members of the bridal party
• Make a speech
• Encourage guests to sign the guestbook or visit the photo booth
• Help the bride into her second dress if she has one for dancing
• Be first on the dance floor and encourage others to keep it filled for the night
• Arrange for candles, rose petals, and bubbly in the bridal suite
• Help with any send-offs the couple have planned, such as a sparkler exit
• Take the wedding bouquet and put it in water for preserving
• Tip any staff the couple wants to tip
• Help the bride out of her dress and pack it up so it doesn't get damaged
• Make an effort to be down for breakfast with the couple
• Collect any cards from the venue's safe for the couple
• Ensure any flowers and decor are packed and moved for day two celebrations or transport home
• Box up keepsakes such as framed photos, the guestbook, and photo booth snaps
• Offer to do the bride's hair and makeup for her day two celebrations

Bridesmaid expenses

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it can also be a major financial commitment. While many exceed the minimum, the bridesmaids' required duties are very limited. They are only required to attend the wedding ceremony and assist the bride on the day of the wedding. However, bridesmaids are often expected to help the bride with planning the wedding and a wedding reception, as well as participating in planning wedding-related events, such as a bridal shower or bachelorette party.

Budgeting for Bridesmaid Expenses

It is important to have open and transparent communication about finances to alleviate financial stressors. Bridesmaids should be honest about what they can realistically afford, and brides should be clear about their expectations to allow bridesmaids to plan and budget accordingly.

Outfits and Accessories

Bridesmaids are typically expected to pay for their own outfits and accessories. The bride usually has a specific vision for what the bridesmaids will wear, but the method of choosing and purchasing the outfits varies. Some brides may request that all bridesmaids wear the same outfit, while others may allow individuals to choose their own within a certain colour or style.

Bridal Showers and Wedding Showers

The bridal shower is usually one of the main duties of the maid of honour, but bridesmaids may also be expected to help plan and pay for the event. The host often foots the bill, but extra costs for food, decor, and activities may be split among the bridesmaids.

Bachelorette Parties

Bridesmaids typically plan and pay for the bachelorette party, covering their own costs at a minimum. Sometimes, bridesmaids may cover the entire trip for the bride, including travel, lodging, decor, and activities. It is important to have a group discussion beforehand to decide on a system that works for everyone, especially if it is a destination celebration.

Wedding Day Hotel and Travel

Traditionally, bridesmaids are responsible for their own travel and accommodations for the wedding. Some brides may offer to split the costs or set up hotel room blocks at discounted rates.

Wedding Gifts

Although it is a further expense, bridesmaids are usually expected to give a wedding gift to the couple. This could be something small from the couple's registry or a group gift with other bridesmaids.

Pre-Wedding Events

There are often other pre-wedding events such as engagement parties, which require great outfits, so bridesmaids should be prepared to add these to their list of expenses.

Wedding Day Essentials

Bridesmaids are also responsible for bringing their own wedding day essentials, such as toiletries, medicine, touch-up makeup, and a change of clothes.

Hair and Makeup

The topic of bridesmaid hair and makeup is open for discussion and depends on the couple's budget. If the bride wants bridesmaids to have their hair and makeup professionally done, they may cover the bill as a gift. Otherwise, the responsibility falls to the bridesmaids.

Flowers

The bride and her family are expected to pay for the bridesmaid bouquets and other floral accents, such as corsages, as they are considered part of the wedding decor.

Transportation

Traditionally, the bride and her family are responsible for coordinating and covering the cost of day-of wedding transportation for the entire wedding party.

Accommodations

If the bride wants to spend the night before the wedding in a shared hotel suite with bridesmaids, she is expected to cover the costs. Otherwise, bridesmaids are responsible for covering the cost of their own accommodations.

Getting Ready Outfits

If the bride wants the bridesmaids to wear specific outfits while getting ready on the morning of the wedding, such as robes or matching pyjamas, she is responsible for buying these as gifts for the bridesmaids.

The term "bridesmaid" refers to a single member of the bride's party, while "bridesmaids" is the plural form of the word, referring to multiple attendants.

Bridesmaid in different cultures

The term "bridesmaid" refers to a woman who attends the bride at her wedding. Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some Western traditional wedding ceremonies. A bridesmaid is typically a young woman and often the bride's close friend or relative.

Bridesmaids in Different Cultures:

Western Culture

In Western culture, bridesmaids are typically young, unmarried women who are close friends or relatives of the bride. They attend to the bride on the day of the wedding and may also help with planning and logistics. The principal bridesmaid, or chief bridesmaid, may be called the "maid of honor" if she is unmarried or the "matron of honor" if she is married. The number of bridesmaids chosen by the bride can vary depending on her preferences and family size.

Biblical Culture

In the Biblical story of Jacob, his two wives, Leah and Rachel, were escorted to the wedding by their own servants, who were likely handmaidens or slaves rather than social peers. This is cited as one of the possible origins of the bridesmaid tradition.

Ancient Rome

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids wore similar outfits to the bride to confuse evil spirits or bandits, as it was believed that bad spirits would descend upon weddings.

Feudal China

During the feudal era in China, bridesmaids dressed like the bride to protect her from being identified and kidnapped by rival clans or hooligans.

Victorian Era

In the Victorian era, both male groomsmen and female bridesmaids wore white, a trend set by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert, and her bridesmaids matched the color of her gown.

Frequently asked questions