Bridesmaids Brigade: Group Dynamics And Friendship

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some traditional Western wedding ceremonies. They are usually close friends or relatives of the bride and are there to support and celebrate with her throughout the journey from engagement to marriage. While there is no specific name for a group of bridesmaids, they are part of the wedding party or bridal party, which also includes the bride, groom, groomsmen, and parents.

Bridesmaids' duties

A group of bridesmaids is called a bride tribe. Now, that's a power group!

Pre-Wedding Duties:

Bridesmaids are expected to plan and attend pre-wedding parties, including the bridal shower and bachelorette party. They also need to book their travel and hotel reservations and be emotionally supportive of the bride. It is common for bridesmaids to help with wedding planning tasks and buy a wedding gift for the couple.

Wedding Day Duties:

On the wedding day, bridesmaids should get ready with the bride, provide snacks, and be a point of contact for guests and vendors. They participate in the ceremony, often walking down the aisle ahead of the bride, and ensure the day goes smoothly for the bride and maid of honor.

Post-Wedding Duties:

After the wedding, bridesmaids often help with gathering personal items, transporting gifts, and participating in post-wedding events like a next-day brunch. They may also offer to return any rentals and create a digital collection of photos and videos taken by the wedding party.

Remember, each bride is different, and her expectations of her bridesmaids may vary. It is essential to have honest conversations about responsibilities and be mindful of financial constraints.

Group chat names

A group of bridesmaids is often referred to as a bridal party. Here are some fun, cute, and unique name ideas for a group chat with bridesmaids:

Funny Group Chat Names

• Wedding Hotline Bling
• Chat's Got a Ring to It
• You Can't Sit With Us
• We're Ready to Paaaarty

Cute Group Chat Names

• Kiss the Miss Goodbye
• [Bride's name]'s Angels
• We Understand the Assignment
• Running Down the Aisle
• Enchanted to Marry You

Unique Group Chat Names

• It's a Love Story, Baby She Said Yes
• Nacho Average Bridal Party
• Aisle Be There For You
• Wine-derful Bridesmaids
• The One Where We're Her Bridesmaids
• The Other Loves of Your Life
• Pop The Bubbles Crew, She's Saying I Do
• #TwinningIn [Dress Color]
• Champagne Security Squad
• After All Is Wed and Done
• We'll Brie Your Bridesmaids
• Harbingers of Wedding Cheer
• [Number of Bridal Party] Rings and a Dress
• Knot the Average Bridesmaids

Dress and travel expenses

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some traditional Western wedding ceremonies. They are usually close friends or relatives of the bride and are often expected to pay for their dresses and accessories, as well as travel and accommodation.

Dress Expenses

Bridesmaids are typically expected to pay for their own dresses and accessories, such as shoes, jewellery, and nails. The bride usually has a specific vision for what her bridesmaids will wear and will communicate instructions on style, fit, and colour. The cost of a bridesmaid dress can vary depending on the region, with dresses on the West Coast of the US costing more, on average, than those in the Midwest. On average, a bridesmaid dress costs between $130 and $150, but they can cost as much as $300 or more. It is important to consider the cost of alterations, which can range from $30 to $100.

Travel Expenses

Bridesmaids are usually responsible for their own travel and accommodation for the wedding night or weekend. This can be a significant expense, especially for destination weddings or if the bridesmaids have also travelled for a bachelorette party. Travel costs can include flights, gas, or other transportation to and from the wedding venue. In addition, bridesmaids may be expected to pay for 1-2 nights in a hotel, which can be more expensive for big cities, holiday weekends, or tourist destinations.

Other Expenses

In addition to dress and travel expenses, bridesmaids may also be expected to contribute to or pay for other pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower or engagement party. They may also be expected to purchase gifts for the bridal shower and wedding. Other potential expenses include hair, makeup, and nails, although the bride may cover these costs as a gift.

It is important to note that the costs of being a bridesmaid can vary widely depending on the bride's expectations and the location of the wedding. It is encouraged to have honest and transparent conversations about finances to avoid misunderstandings and resentment.

Number of bridesmaids

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some Western traditional wedding ceremonies. There is no right or wrong number of bridesmaids, and the final decision is up to the bride and her partner. The number of bridesmaids depends on the bride's preferences, the size of her family, and the number of attendants her partner would like to have.

According to The Knot Real Weddings Study 2023, the typical number of bridesmaids is four. However, this number can vary depending on the size and formality of the wedding. For instance, a black-tie wedding with more than 200 guests may have up to 12 attendants. Ultimately, the most important factor is choosing people the bride genuinely wants by her side on her wedding day.

Some brides may feel pressured to have a certain number of bridesmaids, especially if they want to match the number of attendants their partner has. However, it is not necessary to have an even number of attendants on both sides, and an uneven wedding party is still considered perfect.

It is worth noting that having more bridesmaids can lead to more opinions, schedules to coordinate, and expenses for gifts. Therefore, it is essential to consider logistical details and choose only those individuals who are genuinely close to the bride.

History of bridesmaids

The tradition of having bridesmaids at weddings dates back to ancient Roman times, when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. These witnesses were usually friends of the newlyweds-to-be, and thus the 'bridal party' was born.

In ancient Rome and China, the bride would have to travel a long way to her groom's village, making her vulnerable to attack by highwaymen and rival suitors. To protect the bride from these dangers, the bridesmaids and groomsmen would dress identically to the bride and groom, making it difficult to identify the couple. This practice was also believed to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors who might wish to harm the newlyweds.

In the Biblical story of Jacob, his two wives, Leah and Rachel, both brought their own 'maids' to their wedding. However, these women were personal servants rather than social peers.

In the feudal era in China, brides were susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans. The bridesmaids were dressed like the bride to lower the risk of her being identified and taken. As legal protections for marriage were established, the role of the bridesmaid became more symbolic.

In the Victorian era, white was the official colour for both male groomsmen and female bridesmaids. This trend was started by Queen Victoria, who had her bridesmaids dress in identical white gowns to match her own at her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840.

In modern times, the bride typically chooses the number of bridesmaids she wants to ask, and they are usually her close friends or relatives. The principal bridesmaid is called the maid of honour if she is unmarried, or the matron of honour if she is married.

Frequently asked questions