The Historical Roots Of Bridesmaids

The tradition of bridesmaids has a long and surprising history. The custom, which is observed in some Western weddings, has evolved over time, with bridesmaids going from being the bride's servants to her closest friends. The origin of the Western bridesmaid tradition likely has roots in socioeconomic class and status, family size, socialization standards, and religion.

One of the most popular origin stories for bridesmaids comes from the Bible. In the Book of Genesis, Jacob marries two wives, Leah and Rachel, who both bring their own servants to the wedding. These servants are believed to be the first bridesmaids, catering to the brides' every need on the wedding day.

In ancient Rome, Roman law required ten witnesses to be present at a wedding, which is thought to be the origin of the bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed identically to the bride and groom to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors who might wish to harm the couple.

Bridesmaids' duties

The tradition of bridesmaids can be traced back to ancient Roman times, when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. These witnesses were usually friends of the bride and groom, and thus, the 'bridal party' was born.

Pre-Wedding

• Plan and attend pre-wedding parties, such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party
• Support the bride emotionally throughout the planning process
• Help with wedding planning tasks, such as addressing invitations or choosing attire
• Buy a wedding gift for the couple
• Book travel and hotel reservations for the wedding weekend
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

On the Wedding Day

• Get ready with the bride and provide practical and emotional support
• Assist the bride with her dress, shoes, jewellery, and veil
• Provide snacks and drinks for the bridal party while they get ready
• Participate in the ceremony and be photo-ready
• Mingle with guests, enjoy the food and drinks, and participate in guest-related activities
• Help the maid of honour with any last-minute tasks or logistics
• Assist with the send-off and ensure the bride has everything she needs for her departure

Post-Wedding

• Help gather personal items and transport gifts
• Create a digital collection of photos and videos taken by the wedding party
• Participate in post-wedding events, such as a next-day brunch

The role of the maid of honour

The maid of honour has various duties and responsibilities, and the specific tasks depend on the couple's needs and the size of the wedding party. The role includes offering emotional support to the bride, leading the bridesmaids, and helping with wedding planning and organisation.

Before the Wedding

The maid of honour's duties before the wedding include:

• Organising the engagement party and helping with wedding planning and enquiries.
• Going wedding dress shopping with the bride and providing support and a positive attitude.
• Helping to choose the bridesmaid dresses and organising shopping trips and fittings.
• Organising the bridesmaids—introducing them to each other and keeping them informed of the schedule and what they need to bring.
• Planning the hen party—taking the lead in organising the event, consulting with the bridesmaids, and keeping budgets in mind.
• Providing emotional support to the bride and organising non-wedding activities to give her a break from wedding planning.
• Finalising details with vendors and guests—collecting hired items, setting up the reception room, and attending beauty appointments with the bride.

On the Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the maid of honour's duties include:

• Helping the bride get ready—assisting with hair, makeup, and getting into the wedding dress.
• Ensuring the bride has eaten and is hydrated.
• Helping the mother of the bride—offering support with hair, makeup, and refreshments.
• Keeping the couple separated before the ceremony if they are following this tradition.
• Holding the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
• Being a point of contact for vendors and guests—fielding questions and dealing with any last-minute changes.
• Standing in the receiving line at the reception and greeting guests.
• Ensuring the gift table is organised and that cards and gifts are not misplaced.
• Giving a speech or a reading during the ceremony.
• Helping the bride in the restroom—assisting with her dress, heels, and hair.
• Returning hired clothes and storing the wedding dress if the couple goes on their honeymoon straight after the wedding.

After the Wedding

After the wedding, the maid of honour may be asked to:

• Help with thank you notes for guests.
• Return hired items and help remove decorations and gifts from the venue.
• Attend the couple's farewell party.
• Ensure wedding cards and gifts are delivered to the couple.

History of the Role

The tradition of bridesmaids and maids of honour also has roots in the Bible. When Jacob married Leah and Rachel, each brought her own "maid". These women were personal servants rather than bouquet-holding bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids' attire

The role of a bridesmaid has evolved over the years, and while it remains an honour to be selected as a bride's attendant, the duties are less dangerous than they once were.

Ancient Times

Bridesmaids have been a part of wedding ceremonies since ancient Roman times, when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. Bridesmaids, along with groomsmen, would dress identically to the bride and groom to confuse vengeful spirits or jealous suitors who might wish to harm the newlyweds. In ancient China, bridesmaids also acted as decoys, dressing like the bride to protect her from robbers or exes as she travelled to her groom's town.

Biblical Roots

Another origin story for bridesmaids is found in the Bible. When Jacob married Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29, each bride was accompanied by her own "maid". However, these women were servants rather than friends, and their duties were likely more practical than symbolic.

The Victorian Era

In the Victorian era, bridesmaids' attire was influenced by Queen Victoria, who had her bridesmaids dress in matching white gowns to complement her own white wedding dress. This began the tradition of brides wearing white, and while the bride's attendants no longer have to match the bride, they typically still wear similar outfits to each other.

Modern Times

Today, bridesmaids' attire is much more flexible, and it is common for the bride to allow her attendants to choose their own dresses or to provide a colour palette for them to choose from. While it was once customary for bridesmaids to wear hats, gloves, puffy sleeves, and shiny satin, modern brides often opt for more stylish options. It is also no longer necessary for bridesmaids to be unmarried women, and the bride may choose her closest friends or family members to stand by her side, regardless of their marital status or gender.

In conclusion, the attire of bridesmaids has evolved from matching the bride to complementing her, and from ancient times to the present day, the role of the bridesmaid has become less about protection and more about emotional support and practical assistance for the bride.

Bridal showers

The tradition of having bridesmaids is believed to have originated in ancient Rome, when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. Bridesmaids were typically chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age. They were usually friends of the bride and groom and dressed identically to the couple to confuse vengeful spirits or jealous suitors who might try to harm them.

The original purpose of a bridal shower was to provide financial assistance and gifts to ensure a wedding could take place, especially in cases where the bride's family could not afford a dowry or the father refused to provide one due to disapproval of the marriage. In these situations, friends of the bride would gather and bring gifts to compensate for the missing dowry, thus enabling her to marry the man of her choice.

In the United States, bridal showers became common in urban areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mainly among the upper-middle classes. By the 1930s, the tradition had spread to rural America and other social classes. While the format of bridal showers has evolved, gift-giving remains the central aspect of the celebration.

The gender of the bridal party

The bridal party is a given at nearly all weddings, but the tradition of bridesmaids has evolved over time. The role of bridesmaids originated in ancient Roman times when Roman law required 10 witnesses to be present at a wedding. These witnesses were usually friends of the bride and groom, and thus the 'bridal party' was born. Bridesmaids were typically young, unmarried women of marriageable age, and often relatives or close friends of the bride.

In ancient times, bridesmaids dressed identically to the bride and each other to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors who might wish to harm the newlyweds. This practice was also used to protect the bride from being identified and kidnapped by bandits or rival clans, especially when she had to travel long distances to the groom's village. In some cultures, it was customary for bridesmaids to be small girls rather than grown women.

In modern times, the bride chooses the number of bridesmaids, and they are selected based on their close relationship with the bride, rather than their social status or ability to fend off evil spirits! The gender of the bridal party is no longer restricted to women, and couples are choosing wedding party members based on their relationships, not outdated rules. Bridal parties can now consist of bridesmaids, bridesmen, maids of honour, and men of honour, with the principal bridesmaid, or 'maid of honour', typically being the bride's closest friend or sister.

The male equivalent of a bridesmaid is a groomsman, also known as an usher in British English. In some cultures, the bride's attendants are called bridesmen and the groom's attendants are called groomsladies. Ultimately, the gender of the bridal party is a personal choice for the couple, and traditions that discriminate by gender are becoming a thing of the past.

Frequently asked questions