Bridesmaids And Bride: Similarities And Differences Explained

A bridesmaid is a member of the bridal party and is usually a close friend or relative of the bride. Bridesmaids are typically young women and are often unmarried. They assist the bride on the wedding day and may also help with planning the wedding and other pre-wedding events. The maid of honor, on the other hand, is the chief bridesmaid and the bride's right-hand woman. She has more responsibilities and is expected to be more involved in the wedding planning process. The maid of honor is usually unmarried and may be the bride's sister or closest friend. While there can be multiple bridesmaids, there is usually only one maid of honor.

The bride chooses her bridesmaids

The bride choosing her bridesmaids is an important part of the wedding planning process. Bridesmaids are typically close friends, sisters, cousins, or other female relatives of the bride, who hold a special place in her life. While in the past, bridesmaids were expected to be unmarried, this is no longer a strict requirement. The number of bridesmaids chosen is dependent on the bride's preferences, the size of her family, and the number of attendants her partner would like to have.

When selecting her bridesmaids, a bride should consider the relationships, reliability, and availability of her candidates to ensure a supportive and harmonious group. Bridesmaids should be individuals who care about the bride and will help her celebrate this special moment in her life. They are there to provide emotional and practical support to the bride and ensure her wedding day is as smooth and joyful as possible. In the lead-up to the wedding, they can help with various tasks such as addressing invitations, going dress shopping, and creating decorations for the reception. On the wedding day itself, they support the maid of honor in looking after the bride, help with any junior attendants, and ensure guests feel included.

The main difference between a bridesmaid and a maid of honor is that the maid of honor is the bride's right-hand woman and typically her closest friend or sister. She has more responsibilities than the bridesmaids and is expected to be more involved in the wedding planning process. The maid of honor is responsible for helping the bride with last-minute details, ensuring the wedding runs smoothly, and providing emotional support. She may also be responsible for helping the bride choose her wedding dress and with other pre-wedding tasks.

In conclusion, the bride's choice of bridesmaids is an important decision that should be made carefully, considering the relationships and availability of candidates. Bridesmaids play a crucial role in providing support and ensuring the wedding day is joyful and stress-free for the bride.

The role of the maid of honour

Before the Wedding

The maid of honour is expected to:

• Lend a helping hand and listening ear to the bride during the wedding planning
• Attend wedding dress shopping and fittings
• Lead the bridal party and ensure all the bridesmaids know their roles and are on schedule
• Assist the bride in choosing the bridesmaids' dresses and ensure they are ordered in a timely fashion
• Be a point of contact for guests and the bridal party
• Host or co-host the bridal shower
• Plan the bachelorette party
• Attend pre-wedding events such as the engagement party, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, the maid of honour's duties include:

• Getting dressed with the bridal party and bride
• Acting as a messenger between the couple if they are exchanging notes or gifts
• Preparing and bringing an emergency kit for the bride
• Having all vendors' contact information on hand
• Keeping the bride calm and ensuring the bridal party is on schedule
• Walking down the aisle before the flower girl and ring bearer
• Arranging the bride's train and veil upon her arrival at the altar
• Holding the bride's bouquet during the exchange of rings
• Holding the groom's ring if there is no ring bearer
• Signing the marriage license as a witness
• Standing next to the groom in the receiving line (optional)
• Entering the reception with the best man
• Helping to bustle the bride's train and assisting her in using the restroom if her dress is cumbersome
• Answering guests' questions and directing them during the reception
• Dancing with the best man
• Ensuring the bride stays stress-free and is well-fed and hydrated
• Giving a toast after the best man
• Collecting wedding gifts if necessary
• Helping the couple post-wedding and during their honeymoon

The history of bridesmaids

Ancient Rome and China

According to some sources, the tradition of having bridesmaids originated in ancient Rome, where it was believed that evil spirits would target weddings. Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride to confuse these spirits and protect the bride from harm. This tradition was also practised in ancient China, where brides were vulnerable to kidnapping by rival clans or suitors. By dressing like the bride, bridesmaids helped to conceal her identity and reduce the risk of abduction.

Biblical Roots

Another origin story for bridesmaids comes from the biblical story of Jacob, who had two wives, Leah and Rachel. In the Book of Genesis, it is mentioned that both wives brought their own maids with them when they married Jacob. These maids were likely servants or slaves, not social peers, but their presence may have contributed to the concept of "bridesmaid duties".

Socioeconomic Factors

In addition to spiritual and protective purposes, the presence of bridesmaids also served socioeconomic functions. In ancient times, it was customary for a bride to have a large entourage of bridesmaids to showcase her family's social status and wealth. The size of the bridal party was carefully calculated to match the family's standing, and a large group of bridesmaids was seen as a sign of prestige.

Evolution of the Role

Over time, the role of bridesmaids has evolved from servants or protectors of the bride to close friends or family members who provide emotional support. While the specific duties may vary, bridesmaids are typically expected to assist the bride before and during the wedding, as well as participate in wedding-related events such as bridal showers or bachelorette parties.

In modern times, the tradition of having a bridal party has become more inclusive, with couples choosing their attendants based on their relationships rather than adhering to strict gender norms. Bridesmaids are no longer restricted to being only women, and individuals of any gender identity can be included in the bridal party.

Bridesmaids' duties

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some traditional Western wedding ceremonies. They are typically close friends or relatives of the bride and are there to support her on her big day.

Before the Wedding

• Help plan (and pay for) the bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Attend any other pre-wedding events, such as an engagement party or couples' shower
• Book travel and hotel reservations for the wedding weekend
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Provide emotional support to the bride
• Help with wedding planning tasks, such as addressing invitations or setting up decorations
• Buy a wedding present for the couple

On the Wedding Day

• Get ready with the bride and assist her with any last-minute details
• Provide snacks and drinks for the bridal party while they get ready
• Participate in the ceremony and be photo-ready
• Mingle with guests, sign the guest book, and participate in other guest-related activities
• Help the maid of honor with any tasks she may need assistance with
• Assist with the send-off, such as gathering items that need to be transported out of the reception venue

It's important to note that the duties of a bridesmaid may vary depending on the bride's preferences and expectations. It is always a good idea to communicate openly and honestly about responsibilities and financial commitments to ensure everyone is on the same page.

The bride's right-hand woman

The maid of honour, or the bride's right-hand woman, is a crucial role in any wedding. She is usually the bride's closest friend or relative and has a variety of duties to fulfil.

The maid of honour is responsible for providing practical and emotional support to the bride in the lead-up to and on the big day. She may be involved in helping the bride choose her wedding dress and keeping her calm and relaxed. She also ensures the wedding runs smoothly and may be in charge of organising pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and hen's night.

On the wedding day, the maid of honour may be responsible for helping the bride get dressed, ensuring she eats, and holding her bouquet and veil during the ceremony. She is often one of the official witnesses to the marriage, signing the marriage licence. She may also be asked to make a speech or a toast at the reception.

The maid of honour is the chief bridesmaid and has a more involved role than the other bridesmaids. She acts as the leader of the bridal party and coordinates with them to ensure everyone is on the same page. She communicates important dates, responsibilities, and expectations to the other bridesmaids.

The maid of honour is also the bride's confidante and provides a calming presence on the wedding day. She helps to calm any pre-wedding jitters and ensures the bride remains relaxed and happy. She may also be involved in decision-making processes and handling any challenges that arise during the planning process.

Overall, the maid of honour is an essential role in the wedding party, providing practical, emotional, and logistical support to the bride. She is the bride's go-to person and ensures that the day runs smoothly and joyfully.

Frequently asked questions