The Key Bridesmaid: Her Name And Role Explored

Bridesmaids are an important part of a wedding ceremony. They are usually the bride's close friends or relatives and are responsible for supporting the bride and helping to reduce her stress. The number of bridesmaids is not fixed and is often chosen based on the bride's preferences, family size, and the groom's preferences. The principal bridesmaid is called the chief bridesmaid, and if she is unmarried, she is called the maid of honor, and if she is married, she is called the matron of honor. The maid of honor has a leadership role and is responsible for guiding the bridesmaids and being the bride's primary go-to person.

The role of the maid of honour

Before the wedding, the maid of honour typically takes the lead in organising events such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party, handling logistics, and rallying the bridesmaids. She may also help the bride with other aspects of wedding planning, such as addressing invitations, choosing attire, and selecting flowers. It is important for the maid of honour to be emotionally supportive of the bride and provide a calm and caring presence during the stressful time of wedding planning.

On the wedding day, the maid of honour has several key duties. She may hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony, sign the marriage license as a witness, and help the bride with her dress, veil, and train. She also ensures the bride stays hydrated and fed throughout the day and provides practical and emotional support.

After the wedding, the maid of honour often continues to provide support by helping to gather personal items, transport gifts, and participate in post-wedding events like a next-day brunch.

Bridesmaids' duties

Bridesmaids are members of the bride's party at some traditional Western wedding ceremonies. The role of the chief bridesmaid, or maid of honour, is the most important bridesmaid role.

The duties of a bridesmaid can be split into tasks that occur before the wedding, and on the day itself.

Before the Wedding:

• Plan and attend pre-wedding parties, such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
• Help with aspects of the wedding planning, such as addressing invitations.
• Book travel and hotel reservations.
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Provide emotional support to the bride.
• Help with small wedding planning tasks, such as stuffing envelopes.
• Buy a wedding present.
• Shop for and pay for bridesmaid attire.

On the Wedding Day:

• Get ready with the bride, helping her to stay calm and collected.
• Assist the maid of honour.
• Provide snacks and drinks for the bridal party.
• Act as a point of contact for guests and vendors.
• Participate in the ceremony, processing down the aisle and fulfilling any other assigned roles.
• Be photo-ready and mingle with guests.
• Help with the send-off, ensuring items such as gifts and cards are transported out of the venue.

Alternative names for bridesmaids

The role of a bridesmaid is to support the bride and be by her side on her wedding day. However, the term 'bridesmaid' is sometimes seen as outdated and even possessive. Here are some alternative names for bridesmaids:

Attendants and Attendants of Honour

The role of a bridesmaid is to attend to the bride and support her, so 'attendant' is a fitting alternative. This can also be adapted to 'attendants of honour' if you want to distinguish them from other wedding guests or wedding party members.

Guests of Honour, Best Woman/Women, Woman/Women of Honour

These names emphasise the importance of the bridesmaids and their closeness to the bride. 'Best woman' or 'best women' are great gender-inclusive alternatives to 'maid of honour'.

Wedding Party

If you want to avoid giving your bridesmaids a specific title, you can simply refer to them as part of your 'wedding party'. This is a good option if you want to avoid hierarchy and keep things casual.

Entourage

Your bridesmaids are there to support you, so why not refer to them as your 'entourage'? This name is fun and light-hearted and avoids the more traditional, stuffy-sounding alternatives.

Bride's Women

This name is simple but effective, and it makes the role and relationship to the bride clear.

Sisters

If your bridesmaids are your sisters, why not just call them that? It's a term of endearment that shows how important they are to you.

Best Ladies

This is another fun alternative that emphasises the closeness of the bridesmaids to the bride.

Bridespeeps

This is a playful alternative to 'bridesmaids' that still makes the relationship to the bride clear.

Bridesfolk

This name is gender-neutral and a little more unusual. It's a good option if you want to avoid gendered language.

Bride's Coven

This name is perfect for a bride who wants to embrace her magical side.

Bride's Gang

This alternative is bold and fun, and it shows that your bridesmaids are a force to be reckoned with!

Honour Guard

This name is powerful and emphasises the protective role of the bridesmaids.

Ladies-in-Waiting

This name is a little old-fashioned but charming. It suggests that the bridesmaids are there to serve the bride.

Adventuring Party

If you want your wedding to be an adventure, why not call your bridesmaids your 'adventuring party'? This name is fun and unique and will definitely get your guests talking!

I Do Crew

This name is light-hearted and modern, and it's a good option if you want to avoid gendered language.

These alternatives to 'bridesmaid' are creative and unique, and they're a great way to shake up the traditional wedding party dynamic.

Choosing bridesmaids

When choosing bridesmaids, it is essential to consider the bride's preferences, the size of her family, and the number of attendants her partner would like to have. Some couples opt to have a mixed-gender wedding party or no wedding party at all. It is also becoming more common to use alternative titles such as "attendants", "wedding attendants", "bridesmate", "honorary bridesmaid", "bride tribe", "bride squad", or "I do crew".

The number of bridesmaids is also variable and dependent on the bride's preferences and family dynamics. In the past, the size of the wedding party reflected the family's social status and wealth, but today it is more about personal choice.

The principal bridesmaid is often called the maid of honor or matron of honor, and she has additional responsibilities, such as leading the bridal party and organising pre-wedding events. She is typically the bride's closest friend or sister.

When asking friends or family members to be bridesmaids, it is important to communicate honestly and set clear expectations about responsibilities and financial commitments. Being a bridesmaid can be expensive, so it is common for the bride to give gifts to her bridesmaids as a token of gratitude.

Ultimately, the choice of bridesmaids is a personal one, and the bride should choose individuals who will provide support, positivity, and practical help throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself.

The history of bridesmaids

Bridesmaids have been part of the wedding tradition for centuries, with evidence of their presence in ancient Roman times, when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. These witnesses were usually friends of the couple, and thus the 'bridal party' was born.

In ancient Rome and China, the bride would have to travel a long distance to her new husband's village, making her vulnerable to attack by highwaymen and rival suitors. To protect her from this danger, the bridesmaids would dress identically to the bride, making it difficult to identify her. This custom continued into the Victorian era, when brides and their attendants wore white, a trend set by Queen Victoria and her bridesmaids.

In the feudal era in China, brides were also susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans. The bridesmaids' matching outfits served to protect the bride by confusing her abductors.

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

In modern times, the role of the bridesmaid has evolved. They are typically chosen from the bride's close friends and relatives, and their main duty is to support the bride in the lead-up to, and on, her wedding day. The principal bridesmaid, or 'maid of honour' if she is unmarried, or 'matron of honour' if she is married, takes on additional responsibilities, such as planning pre-wedding events and providing practical and emotional support.

The number of bridesmaids chosen can depend on various factors, including the bride's preferences, the size of her family, and the number of attendants her partner would like to have. In the past, the size of the bridal party reflected the family's social status and wealth, but nowadays, many couples choose to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen altogether, eliminating the associated expenses and logistical effort.

Frequently asked questions