Lyla Dejesus
Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour and a chance to make lifelong memories with your closest friend as they get married. But what does a bridesmaid do on the wedding day?
On the wedding day, bridesmaids are there to support the bride and ensure everything goes smoothly. This involves helping the bride get ready in the morning, and staying by her side throughout the day. They may also be asked to assist young bridesmaids and flower girls with getting ready, and supervise them during the ceremony.
Bridesmaids are also there to socialise with guests and make sure they feel happy and comfortable. They may be asked to give a reading during the ceremony, or sign the register as a witness. After the ceremony, they can help the bride and groom with clearing up and returning hired items.
Overall, the role of a bridesmaid is to be there for the bride and make sure her day is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Emotional support | Providing emotional support to the bride and helping to keep her calm |
| Planning | Planning the hen party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party; assisting with wedding planning tasks and DIY; organising the hen night |
| Paying | Paying for bridesmaid attire, bridal shower, bachelorette party, travel and hotel reservations, and a wedding present |
| Attending | Attending the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and pre-wedding events; being ready on the wedding morning and getting ready with the bride |
| Assisting | Assisting the maid of honour, providing snacks, helping the bride get ready, and assisting her throughout the day (e.g. with her dress, shoes, jewellery, veil, bouquet, etc.) |
| Coordinating | Coordinating with other bridesmaids, the wedding planner, and suppliers |
| Socialising | Socialising with guests, signing the guestbook, visiting the photo booth, giving speeches, and leading the dancing |
| Clean-up | Helping with clean-up after the reception, taking down decorations, returning hired items, and taking wedding gifts home |
What You'll Learn
Help the bride get ready and travel with her to the venue
As a bridesmaid, you will likely be expected to help the bride get ready on the morning of the wedding and travel with her to the venue. Here are some tips on how to do this:
Before the Wedding Day
It is a good idea to establish your role in the bride's preparations and travel arrangements in advance. Discuss with the bride, the maid of honour, and the other bridesmaids what tasks need to be done and how you can help. For example, you could be in charge of bringing an emergency kit, which typically includes safety pins, fabric glue, bobby pins, a full makeup kit, bandages, tweezers, a sewing kit, hairspray, nail files, feminine products, scissors, anti-static spray, deodorant, breath mints, a stain remover pen, blister balm, dental floss, a lint brush, and pocket mirrors. You could also be responsible for ensuring the bride eats and stays hydrated, helping her into her dress, shoes, and jewellery, and keeping her calm and relaxed.
On the Wedding Day
On the day of the wedding, arrive early at the designated getting-ready location with all your gear. Help the bride with any last-minute tasks, such as answering incoming texts and calls, and ensure she stays hydrated and has eaten something. Pour celebratory bubbly for everyone to enjoy and keep hair and makeup appointments on track. Help the bride into her dress and assist with her shoes, jewellery, and veil. Keep the atmosphere upbeat with some music and introduce yourself to any key people, such as the photographer, videographer, or florist, so they know you are a point of contact. Keep an eye on the time to ensure everyone is ready and the bride arrives at the ceremony on schedule.
During the Ceremony
As a bridesmaid, you will likely play a role in the wedding ceremony. This could include making a toast, being a witness to the couple signing the register, or giving a reading. You will also need to be in place at the ceremony venue on time, hidden out of sight, and ready for your cue to walk down the aisle. Keep chatter to a minimum and be respectful of the planner, officiant, or whoever is running the show. During the ceremony, hit your rehearsed mark and fulfil any other assigned roles.
After the Ceremony
After the ceremony, you may need to help the bride with her dress and veil as she poses for photos. Take her bouquet for the ceremony and arrange for cans or a 'Just Married' sign to be on the wedding car. Help round up family members for photos and keep the bride hydrated and fed throughout the day. You may also be expected to make a speech, encourage guests to sign the guest book or visit the photo booth, and be the first one on the dance floor to get the party started!
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Assist with the bride's dress, hair, makeup and accessories
On the morning of the wedding, bridesmaids should get ready with the bride, helping her with her dress, hair, makeup, and accessories. This might include keeping her calm, ensuring she eats and stays hydrated, and making sure hair and makeup appointments are running on time.
Bridesmaids should also assist the bride with her shoes, jewellery, and veil, and help her in and out of cars or down stairs if she needs assistance. Throughout the day, they should fix her dress and veil, take her bouquet for the ceremony, and assist her with going to the bathroom if required.
Bridesmaids are also responsible for making sure the bride has everything she needs for her photos, such as lipstick for touch-ups, and keeping track of smaller items like her phone. If the bride's dress is a ball gown, she may need help manoeuvring it in the restroom and bustling it during the reception. If she changes outfits, she may need help getting out of one dress and into another.
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Support the bride emotionally throughout the day
Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important duties is to provide emotional support to the bride throughout the wedding day. Here are some ways to ensure you're supporting the bride emotionally:
Before the Wedding
Being emotionally supportive starts long before the wedding day. Wedding planning can be stressful, so it's important to check in with the bride regularly and ask what she needs. Be there for her when things get tough, and provide a calm and caring presence. Offer to help with any tasks or decisions that she may be struggling with.
On the Wedding Day
The morning of the wedding can be hectic, so it's crucial to maintain a positive and upbeat atmosphere. Keep the bride smiling, laughing, and relaxed. Make sure she eats a good breakfast and stays hydrated. Keep an eye on the time and the hair and makeup schedule to ensure everything runs smoothly.
During the Ceremony
The bridesmaids often walk down the aisle with the bride, providing moral support and sharing this special moment. The bridesmaids may also be asked to give a reading during the ceremony or sign the register as a witness.
After the Ceremony
The bridesmaids should socialise with the guests and help everyone feel comfortable and happy. They can also assist the bride with practical tasks, such as going to the bathroom if her dress is unwieldy, or ensuring she stays hydrated and well-rested throughout the day.
During the Reception
The bridesmaids should continue to be the bride's emotional rock during the reception. They can help diffuse any tensions or emergencies, such as mix-ups with the seating plan or arguments between guests. They can also ensure the bride takes breaks, eats, and stays hydrated.
After the Wedding
Even after the wedding day, the bridesmaids can continue to provide emotional support. They can help gather personal items, transport gifts, and participate in post-wedding events like a next-day brunch. They can also create a digital collection of photos and videos taken by the wedding party while the couple waits for their official photos.
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Be the point of contact for guests and vendors
Being a point of contact for guests and vendors is an important duty of a bridesmaid. Here are some ways you can be of service:
Before the Wedding
As a bridesmaid, you are expected to be a key point of contact for guests and vendors in the lead-up to the wedding. You can be a go-between for the couple and the vendors, ensuring that all the details are taken care of and that everything runs smoothly. Offer to be a person of contact at the venue for any issues that may arise. This will help take some of the stress off the couple, allowing them to focus on their special day.
On the Wedding Day
On the wedding day itself, you will be the go-to person for any questions or concerns that guests or vendors may have. Introduce yourself to key people, such as the photographer, videographer, or florist, so they know who to turn to if they need anything. You can also help direct guests, such as showing them where to park, where the bathrooms are, or guiding them to their seats. If there is a gift table, guest book, or wedding favours, you can facilitate guests' participation and make sure everything runs according to plan.
After the Wedding
Your duties as a point of contact don't end when the ceremony is over. You can help the maid of honour, wedding coordinator, or the couple's parents with the logistics of packing up and transporting items from the reception venue. This includes making sure that all the wedding cards and gifts make it into the right vehicle and that the couple's overnight bags get to their wedding night hotel room. You can also assist with making sure all the guests find their way out safely and that they get onto the right shuttle buses or find their cars.
Being the point of contact for guests and vendors is a crucial role that helps ensure the wedding runs smoothly and that the couple can focus on enjoying their special day.
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Help with the setup and cleanup of the venue
Setting up and cleaning up the venue is an important part of being a bridesmaid. Here are some detailed instructions for how to help with these tasks:
Before the Wedding
It is common for bridesmaids to be asked to help set up the venue the day before the wedding. If this is the case, you may be asked to:
- Place decorations and affix chair covers
- Put up any other necessary items, such as tablecloths, centrepieces, and floral arrangements
- Ensure the wedding cake, flowers, and other items are delivered to the venue (if they are not being delivered directly)
- Help with any wedding DIY projects, such as easy crafts or projects
On the Wedding Day
On the wedding day, your focus will be on supporting the bride and ensuring everything runs smoothly. This may include:
- Helping the bride get ready, including assisting with her dress, shoes, jewellery, and veil
- Ensuring the bride eats and stays hydrated throughout the day
- Helping the bride with bathroom breaks, especially if she has a large or unwieldy dress
- Fixing her dress, hair, and makeup throughout the day, such as before walking down the aisle or during photo ops
- Supervising and looking after any junior bridesmaids and flower girls
- Walking down the aisle with the bride
- Participating in the ceremony, such as by giving a reading, signing the register, or witnessing the signing of the marriage license
- Socialising with guests and helping them feel comfortable
- Leading the dancing during the reception
- Assisting with any emergencies or unforeseen situations, such as mix-ups or arguments
- Keeping an eye on the bride to ensure she is eating, drinking, and resting
After the Wedding
Once the party is over and most guests have left, it's time to assist with the clean-up:
- Help the bride and groom with clearing up the venue, including taking down decorations and general tidying
- Take the wedding gifts home and store them until the couple returns from their honeymoon
- Return any hired or rented items, such as tablecloths and chair covers, to the suppliers
- Box up keepsakes, such as framed photos, the guest book, and photo booth snaps
- Create a digital collection of any photos and videos taken by the wedding party
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Frequently asked questions
On the morning of the wedding, bridesmaids should wake up early and get themselves ready. They should also help the bride to get ready, keep the atmosphere upbeat, ensure she eats breakfast, and keep an eye on the time.
Bridesmaids are usually asked to walk down the aisle during the ceremony. They may also be asked to give a reading, sign the register as a witness, or hold onto the bride's bouquet.
During the reception, bridesmaids should socialise with guests, help everyone find their seats, and lead the dancing. They should also make sure the bride is eating, drinking, and resting when she needs to, and assist her with going to the toilet if she has a large or unwieldy dress.
