Bridesmaids' Duties: Supporting The Bride, Before And After The Vows

Bridesmaids are typically the bride's closest friends and/or family members, and they play a significant role throughout the planning process and the wedding day. While the role can be confusing, the main responsibility of a bridesmaid is to assist the Maid of Honor and offer help to the bride as needed. This can include providing emotional support, helping with planning and paying for pre-wedding events, keeping records of gifts, and offering a pair of extra hands for DIY favours and place cards. Bridesmaids are also expected to purchase their own gowns and accessories, and attend all fittings. In the lead-up to the wedding, bridesmaids can expect to shell out around $700, not including travel costs or costs associated with hosting a shower or attending the bachelorette party. While gifts are expected from bridesmaids, these don't have to be expensive – it's the thought that counts.

Offer to help with DIY favours, place cards, etc

Bridesmaids can offer to help with DIY favours and place cards, as well as other items for the wedding. This can be a fun and creative way to support the bride and Maid of Honor. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Offer to help with crafting: If you're good at DIY and crafting, put those skills to use! Offer to help with assembling favours, creating place cards, or making decorations for the wedding. This can take a lot of pressure off the bride and Maid of Honor, who may not have the time or expertise to do it all themselves. You could suggest a craft night with the bridal party to make these items, which can also be a fun bonding experience.

Suggest creative ideas: If you have a knack for creativity, offer your ideas and suggestions for the DIY items. Brainstorm with the bride and Maid of Honor to come up with unique and personalised favours, place cards, or other wedding details. For example, you could suggest a theme for the favours or a creative way to display the place cards.

Help with the execution: Once the DIY plans are in place, offer to help with the execution. This could include shopping for supplies, cutting, gluing, or assembling the items. Make sure to be reliable and committed to the task, as the bride and Maid of Honor will be relying on your help.

Personalise the items: Adding a personal touch to the DIY items can make them even more special. Offer to help with customising the favours or place cards, perhaps by adding the couple's names, wedding date, or a meaningful quote. This can make the items more memorable and meaningful for the happy couple and their guests.

Be mindful of the budget: DIY projects can sometimes end up being more expensive than expected. When offering to help with DIY favours and place cards, be mindful of the bride's budget and try to suggest cost-effective options. Look for ways to save money without sacrificing quality and style.

By offering to help with DIY favours, place cards, and other wedding items, bridesmaids can play a crucial role in bringing the bride's vision to life. It's a great way to contribute your talents and creativity to the wedding and create lasting memories with the bridal party.

Help the bride get ready on the morning of the wedding

As a bridesmaid, you can help the bride get ready on the morning of the wedding by assisting with the following:

• Offer emotional support to the bride.
• Help the bride with her hair and ensure her veil is straight.
• Check that the bride is wearing all her accessories and hasn't forgotten anything.
• Assist with any last-minute decorations at the venue.
• Help with communications on the day, such as liaising with vendors and guests.
• Keep a record of gifts at the bridal shower so the bride knows who to thank for what.
• Offer to run any last-minute errands.
• Help the Maid of Honour with any tasks she needs support with.

Keep a record of gifts at the bridal shower

As a bridesmaid, you can expect to be busy with many responsibilities and expenses. One of these responsibilities is keeping a record of gifts at the bridal shower. Here are some tips to help you with this task:

Before the Bridal Shower:

Firstly, it is essential to understand the importance of your role as a gift recorder. The bride will be busy during the bridal shower, and it is easy for her to get caught up in the excitement and miss out on who gave what gift. As a bridesmaid, your role is to support the bride and ensure that she can focus on enjoying the moment. By keeping a record of the gifts, you are helping her to relax and be fully present, knowing that she will be able to send out thank-you cards later.

During the Bridal Shower:

On the day of the bridal shower, ensure you have a pen and paper or a gift log sheet to record the gifts. Position yourself near the gift table so you can easily jot down the information. When the bride opens a gift, make a note of the item, who it is from, and any other relevant details, such as the giver's relationship to the bride or a unique story associated with the gift. If the bridal shower has a theme or colour scheme, you can also match your record sheet to the theme for added fun!

After the Bridal Shower:

Once the bridal shower is over, your work is not quite done yet! Review your gift log and ensure that all the details are accurate and legible. If there are any unclear or missing pieces of information, reach out to the other bridesmaids or the maid of honour to fill in the gaps. Your collective efforts will ensure that the bride has a comprehensive list to work with when writing her thank-you cards.

Additional Tips:

• If you are tech-savvy, consider using a spreadsheet or a gift-tracking app to record the gifts. This method can make it easier to sort and filter the data, especially if the bridal shower is large and the number of gifts is extensive.
• Take photos of the gifts, especially if they are unique or handmade. This will help the bride visualise the gifts again when writing her thank-you notes.
• Offer to help the bride with addressing, sealing, and stamping the thank-you cards. This additional support will be much appreciated!

Assist with decorating at events

As a bridesmaid, you can assist with decorating at events such as engagement parties, bridal showers, and the reception. Here are some ways you can help:

Planning and Setup:

• Work with the bride and maid of honor to bring their vision to life. Discuss the theme, color scheme, and any specific decorations they have in mind.
• Create a checklist of all the decorations needed and assign tasks to each bridesmaid to ensure everything is covered.
• Source decorations, either by purchasing them or making DIY options. This could include centerpieces, backdrops, table settings, balloons, flowers, or lighting.
• If the event has a specific theme, ensure the decorations align with it. For example, if it's a rustic-themed wedding, you might use decorations like mason jars, burlap, and twine.

On-the-Day Setup:

• Arrive early at the event venue to help with the setup.
• Hang banners, string lights, or any other decorations that need to be installed.
• Place centerpieces and other table decorations, ensuring they align with the seating plan.
• Create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for guests by adding final touches like candles or flower petals.

Post-Event Cleanup:

• Help with the cleanup and breakdown of decorations at the end of the event.
• Carefully pack away any decorations that the couple may want to reuse or keep as souvenirs.
• Dispose of or recycle any waste responsibly, ensuring the venue is left clean and tidy.

Remember to communicate closely with the bride and maid of honor throughout the process to ensure your efforts align with their vision and that you're providing the support they need.

Give the bride a thoughtful gift

As a bridesmaid, you can give the bride a thoughtful gift to show your love and appreciation for your relationship. Here are some ideas for thoughtful gifts that are sure to make the bride feel special:

Sentimental Gifts

Sentimental gifts are a great way to show your love and appreciation for the bride. These gifts can be personalised or chosen specifically for the bride's hobbies and interests. Here are some ideas:

• A custom-illustrated card: Get a physical card with a custom illustration of you and the bride. It's a thoughtful gift that will surely be treasured.
• Birthstone jewellery: Gift the bride a piece of jewellery with their birthstone. It's a unique and personalised gift that they can wear on the wedding day and beyond.
• Embroidered pyjamas or a robe: Get the bride a comfortable robe or a pair of pyjamas with their name or initials embroidered on them. It's a practical gift that they can use while getting ready on the wedding day and lounging afterwards.
• A wellness journal: Help the bride prioritise self-care with a wellness journal. This gift will allow them to track goals, jot down feelings, and express gratitude. You can even customise the cover with their name to make it extra special.
• A custom hanger: Get the bride a custom hanger to display their wedding gown. It can feature their wedding date and new last name, making it a memorable gift.
• A ring dish: Gift the bride a ceramic ring dish to store their wedding ring safely when it's not on their finger. It can be customised with their new last name or a wedding-related message.

Practical Gifts

Practical gifts are always appreciated, especially those that can be used during the wedding weekend and beyond. Here are some ideas:

• A travel jewellery case: A vegan leather jewellery case will keep the bride's accessories untangled and scratch-free while travelling. You can even get it foil-debossed with their name for a personalised touch.
• A tumbler or water bottle: Hydration is important, especially during the busy wedding festivities. Gift the bride a tumbler or water bottle, perhaps personalised with their name, to ensure they stay hydrated throughout the celebrations.
• A makeup bag: A makeup bag is always useful, and you can make it extra special by personalising it with the bride's initials or name. Go for a chic option like a monogrammed cosmetic bag or a fun canvas bag with a floral design.
• Coffee-themed gifts: If the bride is a coffee lover, gift them a coffee-themed gift set or a personalised iced coffee cup. It's a practical gift that will give them the energy boost they need during the wedding festivities.
• A spa gift card: After all the wedding planning and celebrations, the bride will appreciate some relaxation and pampering. Gift them a spa gift card so they can treat themselves to a day of self-care.

Unique Gifts

Unique gifts will truly surprise and delight the bride. Here are some ideas to make the bride feel extra special:

• A custom canvas: Get a mini canvas hand-painted with a meaningful location or something special to the bride, like their favourite food, animal, or quote. It's a thoughtful gift that they can display and cherish forever.
• A zodiac-themed gift: Anything astrology-related is fun, and you can gift the bride a book about their zodiac sign or a custom zodiac candle. It's a unique way to celebrate their personality and interests.
• A personalised beach towel: If the wedding has a tropical theme or is taking place on a beach, gift the bride a personalised beach towel. It's a fun and practical gift that they can use during the wedding and on future beach trips.
• A custom flask: Get the bride a shiny gold flask with their name, wedding title, and special date engraved on it. It's a unique and memorable gift that they can use during the celebrations and keep as a memento.

Frequently asked questions