Congrats on being a bridesmaid! Not exactly sure what the task entails? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers to common questions about the duties and responsibilities of a bridesmaid. This can be a significant time commitment, so be prepared before you say yes to the role. Despite the time, being a bridesmaid can be rewarding, and you’ll participate in one of the biggest moments in your friend or family member’s life.
What Does a Maid of Honor Do?
A maid of honor has a wide variety of responsibilities before the wedding, the day of the wedding, and even post-ceremony. Above all, the maid of honor should support the bride. Planning a wedding is an enormous task, and you’re here to make things a little easier.
On the day of the wedding, be ready to escort guests and answer any of their questions. You may also help the bride as she gets her hair and makeup ready. During the ceremony, the bride can ask you to prepare a toast. Then, get guests energized by joining them on the dance floor!
Despite the long list of duties, if you’re the maid of honor, don’t worry. Other bridesmaids should also be willing to pitch in where they can, and bridesmaids and family members can help plan events, like the bridal shower.
If there are any obligations you aren’t able to fulfill, let the bride know early in advance. Together, you can figure out what works best for the both of you in terms of planning and responsibilities. That being said, the maid of honor is an important role, and this position shows just how much the bride values you! With your support, the wedding’s sure to be a wonderful day for the happy couple and all their guests.
What Does a Bridesmaid Do?
Bridesmaids have many of the same roles and responsibilities that the maid of honor has. If you’re intimidated by all the tasks, remember that you have other bridesmaids, friends, and family members to pitch in their time and skills.
We’ve broken down the most important things a bridesmaid should do as well as answered some common questions about finances and who pays for what.
Support the Bride
As a family member, friend, or loved one of the bride, one of the most essential tasks is to support her as she gets ready for her wedding day! Between touring venues, finding a dress, booking vendors, and more, the bride will need emotional support and potentially help with the planning process itself.
Sometimes, the bride might just need a few minutes to vent or complain about any difficulties that pop up, and you can always be there to listen or soothe her fears.
Assist with Wedding Planning
Though most of the wedding planning will fall on the happy couple, there are minor tasks that you can assist with, especially if you see that the bride feels overwhelmed. Offer to send out invitations to the wedding or pick up some of the decor for the wedding venue. Join the bride as she shops for her wedding dress, and if she asks, give your input.
Since this is her wedding, let her take the lead when it comes to planning; the bride may have specific tastes, and you should not impose your own vision on the wedding. Plus, wedding planning is hard work, and bridesmaids aren’t expected to book a venue or find vendors. However, there are certainly places where you can alleviate some stress off the bride, so offer up some help when possible.
Organize and Attend the Pre-Wedding Events
From the bridal shower to the engagement party and the rehearsal dinner, there can be what seems like an endless list of events even before the big day. As a bridesmaid, it’s your job to attend all of these events or organize them.
The bridal or wedding shower is likely the one you’ll have to do the most planning for, but by dividing up the work between bridesmaids and family members, it becomes a much more simple task. At the rehearsal dinner, be sure to ask any questions you have about the wedding day itself, whether it’s when you’re walking down the aisle to what time the photoshoot is.
Beside the bridal shower, bridesmaids can play an important role in planning the bachelorette party! This should be a fun and exciting time for the bridesmaids and bride to celebrate the wedding as well as a chance to blow off some steam. Plan a fabulous girls’ night out that you know your bride will love, and tie it all together with the perfect bachelorette party hashtag.
Day of the Wedding
On the big day, you’ll need to support the bride more than ever. Between hair and makeup, photoshoots, putting on her gorgeous wedding gown, and the ceremony and reception, it’s going to be a hectic day. Be there to listen to the bride and take care of any minor tasks that need to get done. This might include meeting any caterers and picking up flowers or being there for the delivery.
When it comes to assisting the bride herself, help her as she’s getting ready. Packing an emergency kit with lipstick, makeup remover, bobby pins, and other beauty or sewing products may come in handy here. Plus, packing some snacks is also a great idea; between all the activities, the bride (and bridesmaids) will need plenty of energy.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, be on time and have your hair and makeup ready for any photoshoots. Time can be tight, and a smooth and easy photoshoot gives everyone time to get to the ceremony. Before the ceremony, know your role and when you walk down the aisle.
At the reception, interact with the guests and introduce them to one another. Welcome them to the reception and thank them for attending the ceremony. You may also need to direct guests to their seats or show them around the reception venue if it’s large. After the first dance, grab a partner or some friends and join the newlyweds. Once guests see a crowd on the dance floor, they’ll join in on the festivities.
When the reception ends, help clean up and make sure the couple has all of their things. If there’s a wedding after-party, make sure guests have transportation to the right location. The bride may ask you to help her give tips to the caterers and other vendors. Finally, send off the happy couple on their way to their honeymoon!
What Do Bridesmaids Pay For?
Between the dress, shoes, and events, being a bridesmaid means you’re going to have to spend some of your own money. Besides your outfit, be ready to also pay for a hotel room and for travel expenses to get to the wedding.
Who pays for the bridal shower?
Planning a bridal shower is certainly a team effort. While the maid of honor might take the lead on the bridal shower, bridesmaids should lend a hand. The bride’s family and her mother may also want to help with the planning and co-host the party. Whoever hosts the bridal shower is often the person who pays for it as well, but be prepared to chip in if multiple people host. This is especially important if the bridal shower is a collaboration between the bridal party.
Bridal showers don’t necessarily have to be a huge cost, especially if the bride and the host prefer a simple event. To save on costs, you can always DIY decorations since there are endless tutorials and suggestions on Pinterest. However, as a bridesmaid, you should still bring a gift to the bridal shower. While you don’t have to go all out on a gift for the shower, showing up empty-handed is not an option. You can order off the registry or choose something more personal.
Who pays for bridesmaid dresses?
Although the bride picks the dresses for her bridesmaids, it’s still your responsibility to pay for your attire. This also includes your shoes and potentially your hair and makeup. The bride may cover hair and makeup, but ask if you’re unsure.
Bridesmaid dresses usually cost around $200, but the price can vary based on the style and designer. If the bride gives you a color scheme, then you can hunt for a dress at a lower price that won’t require any alterations. If you have any issues with paying for your bridesmaid dress, communicate with the bride beforehand. The bride may be able to pay for or chip in for the cost, but you should be ready to pay the full price of the gown.
Do bridesmaids give a wedding gift?
Bridesmaids should absolutely give a wedding gift to the happy couple. You can choose something of the couple’s registry, or you can purchase a larger group gift with the rest of the bridesmaid crew. Since you and the other bridesmaids are close friends and family members, you know the bride and her partner well, so feel free to personalize your gift and go off the wedding registry. The bride is sure to appreciate all the help you’ve given during the wedding planning process, and this gift just shows all your love to her as well!
Final Thoughts on Bridesmaid Duties
Yes, being a bridesmaid can be a lot of work, but it’s also a huge honor and such an important role. Bridesmaid duties and responsibilities can vary depending on the bride and wedding. Overall, you will support the bride, pitch in with smaller planning details, and attend events like the bridal shower. Through this journey, you’ll make memories with the bride that will last a lifetime.
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