Rhiannon Hendricks
Being a chief bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. From planning the hen party to ensuring the bride stays relaxed and happy on her big day, the role of chief bridesmaid is a busy one.
The role usually goes to the bride's closest friend or family member, and it's their job to organise the other bridesmaids and take the lead on planning the hen do.
On the day itself, the chief bridesmaid should make sure the bride is drinking water, has eaten, and is as relaxed as she can be. They should also ensure hair and makeup appointments are on track and help the bride and other members of the party get dressed.
The chief bridesmaid should also be on hand to help with any makeup or hair touch-ups and assist the bride when she goes to the bathroom—wedding dresses can be tricky to manage!
Other duties include signing the wedding register as a witness (although this is now usually the couple's choice), fluffing the bride's train and smoothing her veil, and making sure she looks picture-perfect.
The chief bridesmaid might also be asked to give a speech or reading during the ceremony.
In the lead-up to the wedding, the chief bridesmaid can expect to go dress shopping with the bride and other bridesmaids, taste cakes, and offer emotional support.
It's a big job, but one that plays a vital role in supporting the bride throughout her wedding journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-wedding | Plan and attend pre-wedding parties, help with wedding planning tasks, be emotionally supportive, help with shopping for wedding attire, attend fittings, attend rehearsals and meetings, be a point of contact for RSVPs and gift enquiries, manage the invites spreadsheet, coordinate or do some DIY, buy gifts for flower girls or page boys, make friends with the best man, be ready for any outfit emergency, offer to make a speech/read in church, be available for pre-wedding events, introduce yourself to the wedding planner or venue coordinator, arrange emergency kits, collect supplier phone numbers, help the bride choose music, attend a bridal fair, taste cakes, make sure the bride has wedding-free days, participate in beauty regimes the bride organises, keep things smooth and easy with the other bridesmaids, collect the bride's bouquet |
| Wedding day | Get ready with the bride, assist the maid of honour, provide getting-ready snacks, be the 'bride tribe', participate in the ceremony, be photo-ready, be model guests, maintain a stress-free send-off, get the bride to the bathroom, assist the best man with gifts and cards, gather family for photographs, look after the bride's whims, help with make-up and hair touch-ups, assist with the bride's dress, veil and shoes |
| Post-wedding | Help gather personal items, transport gifts, participate in post-wedding events like a next-day brunch, offer to help take leftover items back to the hotel, return any rentals to the vendor, create a digital collection of any photos and videos taken by the wedding party |
What You'll Learn
Organise the hen party
Organising the hen party is one of the chief bridesmaid's most important duties. Here are some ideas and tips to help you plan:
Discuss the Bride's Preferences
Firstly, find out what the bride wants to do for her hen party. It's her special send-off, so it's important to plan something she'll enjoy. Ask her about her preferences, and if there's anything she definitely doesn't want to do. This will give you a good starting point for planning.
Choose a Date and Location
Pick a date and location that works for the bride and all the invited guests. If guests are travelling from far away, you may want to give them plenty of notice. Consider the bride's preferences and personality when choosing a location. For example, if she loves the beach, plan a beach getaway. If she prefers city breaks, book a fun weekend in a nearby city.
Create a Guest List
Work with the bride to create a guest list. Usually, the hen party includes the bride's closest female friends and family members. Once you have a guest list, create a group chat to keep everyone informed about the plans.
Plan Activities
Plan a range of activities that the bride and guests will enjoy. This could include games, spa treatments, a fun night out, or an outdoor adventure. Consider the bride's interests and try to incorporate her favourite things into the itinerary.
Handle the Logistics
Take care of the practical details, such as booking accommodation, transportation, and any necessary reservations. Create a schedule for the hen party to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Decorations and Favours
Add some special touches to the hen party with decorations and favours. This could include balloons, banners, goodie bags, or personalised items for the guests.
Keep the Bride Relaxed
On the day of the hen party, ensure the bride is relaxed and having fun. Help her with anything she needs, and make sure she stays hydrated and well-fed.
Remember to communicate with the bride and the other bridesmaids throughout the planning process, and don't be afraid to ask for help if needed. With some organisation and creativity, you can plan a memorable hen party that the bride will cherish!
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Help with wedding planning tasks
As a chief bridesmaid, you will be expected to help with various wedding planning tasks. Here are some ways you can help:
Help with Planning
You can help the couple with specific tasks that match your interests, skills, and talents. For example, if you are good at crafts, you could help with DIY wedding favours, or if you have a knack for design, you could assist with the wedding stationery. You may also be asked to sort through RSVPs, categorise menu choices, or offer opinions on wedding suppliers. Remember to let the couple take the lead in how much involvement they want from you.
Plan the Hen Party
Planning the hen party is typically the responsibility of the maid of honour, but as the chief bridesmaid, you can offer to take on certain tasks to assist her. For example, you could organise hen party dares, contact the partner for answers to a Mr and Mrs Quiz, or put together party bags.
Help with Shopping
Chief bridesmaids should be the voice of reason and help the bride make wise decisions on everything from favours to flip flops. Be prepared to go shopping with the bride and offer honest feedback on her choices. Remember to always let her make the final decision.
Attend Bridal Fairs
If the bride wishes to attend a bridal fair, the chief bridesmaid should accompany her. Bridal fairs and open days are best attended with best friends and are super fun.
Help with Beauty Regimes
The bride may organise beauty regimes such as weight loss, spa days, skin peels, or fake tans. As the chief bridesmaid, you should offer support and participate in these regimes, even if you are not taking part yourself.
Keep Things Smooth with the Bridesmaids
As the chief bridesmaid, you should use your diplomatic skills to ensure any frazzle is kept to a minimum, and all the duties are followed.
Be Ready for Outfit Emergencies
The chief bridesmaid should be prepared for any outfit emergencies, such as issues with shoes, jewellery, or the need for a seamstress. Quick thinking and great Google skills will be a lifesaver if something goes amiss.
Help with Music Selection
The chief bridesmaid can help the bride choose music for the wedding. They can compile lists of their top choices for the processional, recessional, reception entrance, dinner, and more.
Assist with the Wedding Registry
The chief bridesmaid can help the bride select gifts for the flower girls or page boys from the wedding registry.
Assist with the Rehearsal Dinner
The chief bridesmaid should be present at the rehearsal dinner to support the bride and ensure she is relaxed and well-prepared for the big day.
Introduce Yourself to the Wedding Planner
It is important for the wedding planner to know who the chief bridesmaid is and have her contact details.
Create Emergency Kits
The chief bridesmaid can put together emergency kits for the wedding day, including items such as plasters, tissues, headache pills, and bobby pins.
Collect Supplier Phone Numbers
The chief bridesmaid should collect the phone numbers of all the wedding suppliers and be a point of contact for them on the big day.
By taking on these tasks and providing support to the bride, the chief bridesmaid plays a crucial role in ensuring the wedding planning process runs smoothly.
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Support the bride emotionally
As a chief bridesmaid, also known as a maid of honour, it's your duty to provide emotional support to the bride. Here are some ways to ensure you're supporting the bride emotionally:
Be a Source of Calm and Comfort
It's important to be a calming presence for the bride, especially if she's feeling tense or anxious. Offer reassurance and comfort, and help her feel relaxed and celebrated. This can be done by keeping her smiling and laughing, and ensuring she stays hydrated and well-fed throughout the day.
Provide Practical Support
The chief bridesmaid should also provide practical support, such as answering any incoming calls or texts, keeping hair and makeup appointments on track, and assisting with the bride's dress, shoes, jewellery, and veil. You may also need to help her with bathroom breaks, as wedding dresses can be challenging to manage in a toilet cubicle.
Offer Emotional Check-Ins
Throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself, regularly check in with the bride. Ask what she needs and how she's feeling, and be sensitive and thoughtful in your support.
Help Manage Stress
Wedding planning can be stressful, so it's crucial to help the bride manage this stress. This might include giving her wedding-free days where you do fun, non-wedding-related activities together, like watching movies, going to yoga, or clubbing.
Be a Sounding Board for Decisions
The bride may value your opinion when it comes to choosing her wedding dress, flowers, or other aspects of the wedding. Be honest and provide constructive feedback when requested, but always let her make the final decision.
Keep the Bride on Schedule
On the wedding day, ensure the bride stays on schedule. This includes keeping hair and makeup appointments on track and making sure everyone is ready and on time for the ceremony.
Be a Point of Contact
Serve as a point of contact for guests and vendors if needed. This can take some pressure off the bride and ensure she isn't bothered with logistical questions on her special day.
Assist with Bathroom Breaks
As mentioned earlier, assisting the bride with bathroom breaks is a practical yet important task. This may involve helping her manoeuvre her dress in the restroom and ensuring she doesn't get it caught on door handles or toilet stalls.
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Quick thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for a chief bridesmaid. Be prepared to handle any last-minute emergencies, such as a missing item or a torn dress, with your excellent Google skills and resourceful nature.
Remember, the most important aspect of being a chief bridesmaid is to be there for the bride emotionally and provide a supportive and positive presence throughout the entire process.
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Assist with the bride's hair and makeup
Assisting the bride with her hair and makeup is a crucial part of the chief bridesmaid's duties. Here are some detailed tips to ensure you provide the best support in this area:
Before the Wedding
As the chief bridesmaid, you should accompany the bride to hair and makeup trials. Offer honest feedback on the looks she tries out. If a particular style or makeup look suits her, let her know, and if it doesn't, gently provide your opinion. Remember, honesty is the best policy here! Ultimately, let the bride make the final decision on her preferred look.
On the Wedding Day
On the morning of the wedding, the chief bridesmaid is expected to assist the bride in getting ready. This includes helping with any hair and makeup touch-ups that may be needed. Ensure you have the necessary tools on hand, such as a clutch bag with makeup essentials for touch-ups.
Keep an eye on the time to ensure the hair and makeup schedule is on track. Help the bride stay relaxed and calm, and make sure she has eaten and is well-hydrated.
Throughout the day, be attentive to the bride's needs. She may need further touch-ups, especially if there are tears of joy or emotional moments. Be prepared to step in and help at any moment!
Practical Considerations
Discuss with the bride whether she will require you and the other bridesmaids to have your hair and makeup done professionally. If she requests a specific look that is not easy to achieve on your own, she should ideally cover the cost of professional services for you.
If you are doing your own hair and makeup, ensure you have all the necessary tools and products well in advance. Practice your chosen look to ensure you are confident in achieving it on the day.
Post-Wedding
Even after the wedding, your duties may not be over! If the couple is heading off on their honeymoon, the chief bridesmaid might be expected to ensure everything is packed, including the bride's beauty essentials.
So, when assisting the bride with her hair and makeup, remember to be organised, honest, and attentive to her needs. Your support will help ensure she looks and feels her best on her special day!
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Be the point of contact for guests and vendors
Being the point of contact for guests and vendors is an important duty of the chief bridesmaid. Here are some ways to fulfil this role:
Before the Wedding
As the chief bridesmaid, you can be the main point of contact for guests and vendors in the lead-up to the wedding. This may include:
- Being the go-to person for any guest queries, such as travel logistics, accommodation, or the schedule of events.
- Communicating with vendors on behalf of the bride, such as the dress shop, hair and makeup artists, or the wedding venue.
- Keeping track of RSVPs, gift enquiries, and managing the guest list spreadsheet.
- Assisting with the planning and execution of pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower or bachelorette party, and being a point of contact for other bridesmaids and guests during these events.
On the Wedding Day
On the day of the wedding, your duties as the point of contact may include:
- Welcoming guests and helping them navigate the venue, such as directing them to parking areas, bathrooms, or the reception area.
- Being a liaison between the wedding party and vendors, such as the photographer, caterers, or wedding planner.
- Assisting the best man with gathering gifts and cards, and coordinating with family members for photographs.
- Helping to ensure the bride's comfort and needs throughout the day, including makeup and hair touch-ups, and assisting her with using the bathroom, as wedding dresses can be cumbersome.
- Being mindful of the timeline and schedule, and keeping the wedding party and guests on track.
Remember, the role of the chief bridesmaid is crucial in providing support and ensuring the smooth running of the wedding. By being an effective point of contact, you can help create a memorable and enjoyable experience for the bride, wedding party, and guests.
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Frequently asked questions
On the day of the wedding, the chief bridesmaid should ensure the bride is relaxed, well-hydrated, and has eaten. She should also help the bride and other members of the bridal party with their hair, makeup, and dressing. The chief bridesmaid should also assist the best man with gifts and cards and help gather the family for photographs.
Before the wedding, the chief bridesmaid should go dress shopping with the bride, plan the hen party, and attend any fittings and rehearsals. She should also be a point of contact for RSVPs, manage the invites spreadsheet, and coordinate any DIY projects.
At the wedding venue, the chief bridesmaid should ensure that all members of the wedding party and special family members have their personal flowers. She should also help guests navigate the venue by directing them to parking areas, bathrooms, and the bar or refreshment station.
During the wedding ceremony, the chief bridesmaid should be in place at the venue, hidden out of sight, and ready for her cues to walk down the aisle. She should also hit her rehearsed mark and fulfil any other assigned roles during the service.
After the wedding, the chief bridesmaid can help gather personal items, transport gifts, and participate in post-wedding events like a next-day brunch. She can also offer to help take leftover items back to the hotel or return any rentals to the vendor.
