The bridesmaid is an integral part of any wedding, on hand to
comfort, console, multitask and spread the joy at all bridal events.
Whether it's your first bridesmaid gig or your 50th, here's a cheat
sheet of your to-dos.
- Offer to help with prewedding tasks.
Try to be specific when you volunteer: Instead of just, "What can I do?"
say, "Would you like me to help you shop for bridesmaid dresses/stuff
invitations/pack for the honeymoon?"
- Scout out bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry and other wedding accessories. Pay for the entire ensemble. (Break in your shoes before the wedding day—that will minimize slipping, blisters and aching feet.)
- Help plan, co-host and pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette party with the other bridesmaids.
- If
the maid or matron of honor isn't already handling this task, keep a
record of all the gifts received at various parties and bridal showers
(so that the bride/couple can write thank-you notes); maintain RSVP
lists.
- Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. (Keep abreast of all prewedding parties, and go to as many as possible.)
- Run
last-minute errands. On the day of the wedding, be on hand to confirm
flower delivery times, meet and greet the ceremony officiant, or satisfy
junk food cravings.
- Stand in the receiving line at the bride's request.
- Serve
as auxiliary hostess at the reception by introducing guests, making
sure they know where the bar is located, and inviting them to sign the
guest book.
- Hit the dance floor when the music kicks in. Dance
with groomsmen during the formal first-dance sequence. Also, be on the
lookout for toe-tapping guests who might need encouragement and/or a
dance partner.
- Give the maid of honor a break by helping to
carry the bride's wedding gown train whenever necessary. Bustle the
train before dancing begins, and be ready to help fix it if it comes
unhooked. Accompany the bride on visits to the restroom, if asked.
- Purchase
a wedding present. Go in with one or several of the other bridesmaids
for more buying power. Sometimes the entire bridesmaid troupe pitches in
for one knock-her-socks-off wedding gift.
- Be a trooper, no
matter how stressful the ordeal becomes. Don't complain about the
bridesmaid dress—even if the color is horrendous, it's not your day (but
one day, it could be! So treat the bride with the respect you'd like at
your wedding). Be gracious and tactful.
- Provide plenty of emotional support during the planning and on the wedding day.
