Bridesmaids' Duties: A Uk Wedding Guide

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. From offering emotional support to the bride, to planning the hen party, there are many duties that a bridesmaid has to juggle. While the role of a bridesmaid in the UK tends to differ from those around the world, there are some tasks that you can almost guarantee will be on your list, such as getting ready with the bride on the morning of the wedding, walking down the aisle and giving a speech or wedding reading.

Planning the hen party

Choose a Venue and Book Entertainment

As a bridesmaid, you may be tasked with choosing a venue for the hen party and booking entertainment. Consider the bride's personality and preferences when making your selections. Does she prefer a lively night out or a more relaxed gathering? Work with the other bridesmaids to choose a venue and entertainment that everyone will enjoy.

Organise Refreshments and Decorations

Organising refreshments and decorations is another key aspect of planning the hen party. You may be in charge of booking caterers, mixologists, or bartenders, as well as organising games and activities to keep the party fun and engaging. Don't forget to discuss the budget with the other bridesmaids and ensure that your plans fit within it.

Invite Guests and Manage RSVPs

Creating a guest list and sending out invitations is an important step in planning the hen party. Work with the bride and other bridesmaids to finalise the guest list, ensuring that all the key people are included. Managing RSVPs can be a tricky task, so stay organised by creating a spreadsheet or using an online tool to keep track of responses.

Plan Travel and Accommodation

If the hen party involves travelling to a different location, it's the bridesmaids' responsibility to organise travel and accommodation. This may include booking transport, reserving hotel rooms, and coordinating with guests to ensure everyone has the necessary information.

Create a Fun Itinerary

Planning a fun and memorable itinerary for the hen party is essential. This could include a mix of activities, such as spa treatments, cocktail-making classes, outdoor adventures, or a night out on the town. Consider the bride's interests and create a schedule that will make her feel special and celebrated.

Manage the Budget and Chip In

As a bridesmaid, you are usually expected to contribute financially to the hen party. Work with the other bridesmaids to establish a budget and ensure that everyone is comfortable with the cost. It's important to be mindful of everyone's financial situation and plan an event that is enjoyable yet affordable for all.

Remember, the key to successful hen party planning is communication and organisation. Work closely with the other bridesmaids, delegate tasks, and don't be afraid to ask for help if needed. The most important goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience for the bride and all the attendees.

Emotional support

Bridesmaids should also be prepared to offer practical support. This could include attending dress fittings, offering opinions on the bride's attire, flowers, colour schemes, catering and decorations, and collecting items from stores. It's also a good idea to check in regularly and offer specific help where possible.

On the wedding day itself, bridesmaids are often called upon to help the bride get ready, and to assist with any outfit changes or bathroom breaks throughout the day. This might include helping the bride with their veil, train, jewellery, or bouquet.

Throughout the day, it's important to keep the bride hydrated and well-fed, and to be on hand to offer tissues or an encouraging smile if needed. Bridesmaids can also help to diffuse any pre-wedding stress or tensions, and keep the atmosphere calm and positive.

After the wedding, it's customary to attend any post-wedding events, such as a farewell party or brunch, and to help gather personal items and transport gifts.

Wedding day assistance

On the wedding day, the bridesmaids' duties are to help the bride get ready and support her throughout the day. This includes assisting with the bride's outfit, hair, and makeup, and ensuring she has eaten and is staying hydrated. Bridesmaids may also be asked to help younger bridesmaids and flower girls get ready.

The bridesmaids will then travel with the bride to the venue, with the maid of honour and the mother of the bride. They should arrive at the ceremony about 10 minutes before the bride to see her arrive. During the ceremony, the bridesmaids will walk down the aisle, either before or after the bride, depending on the couple's preference. They may also be asked to give a reading, sign the register as a witness, or hold the bride's bouquet.

Throughout the day, the bridesmaids should be on hand to assist the bride, such as helping her with her dress when she needs to use the bathroom or ensuring she has food and drinks. They may also need to help round up family members for photos.

At the reception, the bridesmaids will often be expected to socialise with the guests and help them feel comfortable. They may also need to help guests find their seats during the wedding breakfast and lead the dancing after the bride and groom's first dance.

At the end of the night, the bridesmaids should assist with tidying up and taking down decorations. If the couple is leaving for their honeymoon straight away, the bridesmaids may also be asked to take the wedding gifts home and store them until their return.

Help with wedding planning

Being a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it's also a big responsibility. The role of a bridesmaid is to support the bride and be there for her when she needs help. This includes providing emotional support and practical help with wedding planning.

• Offer your assistance throughout the planning process. Ask the bride what she needs help with and be there for her.
• Help the bride choose her wedding dress. Go with her to dress fittings and offer your opinion if she asks for it.
• Assist with choosing bridesmaids' dresses. Be there when the bride chooses the bridesmaids' dresses and model them for her. You may also need to organise alterations and collect your dress from the store.
• Coordinate with the other bridesmaids. Make sure your outfits complement each other and don't clash in photos. This may include discussing shoes, accessories, jewellery, hairstyles and makeup.
• Help with wedding logistics. This could include visiting the venue, helping to make decisions on layout and décor, and meeting the wedding coordinator.
• Assist with wedding DIY sessions.
• Be available for wedding dress shopping and fittings.
• Listen to any wedding planning woes and be supportive and enthusiastic.
• Create a WhatsApp group with the bride and all the bridesmaids to facilitate communication and planning.
• Check in with the couple regularly and offer practical help.
• Be specific about what you can help with rather than asking generally what needs to be done.
• Help the bride with any last-minute errands and wedding set-up.
• Help the bride pack for the wedding and the honeymoon.
• Help with transport and travel arrangements.
• Assist with choosing and booking beauty appointments for the bridal party.
• Help shop for and organise wedding bathroom baskets.
• Make sure you have all the necessary items for the wedding, such as shoes, accessories and underwear.
• Prep an on-the-day emergency kit for the bride.
• Help diffuse any pre-wedding stress or tensions.
• Get a list of the couple's suppliers and their contact info for the wedding day.
• Familiarise yourself with the wedding timeline.
• Attend the ceremony rehearsal so you know what to expect on the day.

Remember, the most important thing is to be supportive and proactive in offering your help. Wedding planning can be stressful, so your assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Post-wedding tasks

While the majority of a bridesmaid's duties will occur before and during the wedding, there are still some tasks to be done after the couple ties the knot. Here are some post-wedding tasks for bridesmaids:

The Day After the Wedding

• Make an effort to be present for breakfast with the couple—a full debrief of the day is in order, and bubbles are a must!
• Collect any cards from the venue's safe for the newlyweds.
• Ensure any flowers and decor are packed and moved for day-two celebrations or loaded into a car for transport home.
• Box up keepsakes such as framed photos, the guest book, and photo booth snaps.
• Offer to do the bride's hair and makeup for her day-two celebrations—she might be running low on energy.

Post-Wedding

• Offer to help take leftover items back to the hotel, or return any rentals to the vendor.
• Create a digital collection of any photos and videos taken by the wedding party while the couple waits for their official photos, which can take four to eight weeks to receive.
• Attend the farewell party or post-wedding brunch—it's expected of you as a bridesmaid, so be on time!
• Organise miscellaneous or leftover wedding items. If you helped take down decorations at the end of the wedding, or collected the couple's wedding gifts and cards during the reception for safekeeping, take time a few days after the wedding to organise these items so you don't forget (or worse, misplace them).
• Settle any outstanding payments and other bills. Don't wait too long after the wedding to close the loop on any remaining expenses that need to be split among the group.
• Check in with the couple after the wedding to see if there's anything else they need.

Frequently asked questions