The Ultimate Bridesmaid Duties List: 12 Things That Are Expected From You

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This post shows you the ultimate bridesmaid duties list.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is such a great honor and privilege.

However, being a bridesmaid also comes with a lot of responsibilities, or as we called them the bridesmaid duties.

A bridesmaid is usually expected to support, help, and advice throughout the wedding planning process.

Not only you will be wrapped in all the pre and post-wedding celebrations, but there is also a bit of work and financial commitment involved for anyone in a wedding party.

There are many different bridesmaid duties according to the wedding party planned by the couple.

However, there are some general bridesmaid duties that are common to most weddings.

In this article, we will be elaborating the list of bridesmaid duties into tasks that occur before, during, and after the big day.

Maid of Honor vs Bridesmaid Duties

Before we get into the details of the bridesmaid duties, let’s get one thing straight.

Are the duties of maid of honor and bridesmaids the same?

Maid of Honor and bridesmaid are two essential roles of the bridal party in a wedding.

While the bridesmaids are usually cousins, sisters, or close friends that serves as the bride’s attendant, the Maid of Honor could be a sister or a very close friend, that acts as the chief bridesmaid.

There is typically more than one bridesmaid with one Maid of Honor.

The Maid of Honor will help the bride get ready, make sure she eats and drinks before and during the big day, and takes charge in any moments that need a soothing hand.

Meanwhile, the bridesmaids’ responsibilities are to be supportive and help as needed before and during the wedding.

Pre-Wedding Bridesmaid Duties

Bridesmaids are needed not only during the big day but also way before the event.

The bride usually needs their help planning a bachelorette party, a bridal shower, shopping for their bridesmaids’ attires, and attending other pre-wedding events.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Shop Bridesmaids’ Attires

As a bridesmaid, you are expected to visit a bridal shop to try on and select dresses together.

Usually, the bride already has something in her mind about the colors and the design of the dresses because they need to match the overall theme of the wedding.

However, each bridesmaid may be asked to do her own shopping or send her measurements to the bridal shop.

If you are told to shop individually, be sure to follow the bride’s plans and wishes.

Meanwhile, if the bride already picks something for you and you find the dress too uncomfortable (i.e. something too revealing or too low cut), just tell the bride about it.

In addition, provide supportive and sensitive feedback on the choice of bridesmaid attire only when requested.

Lastly, be prepared to pay for your own bridesmaid dress, shoes, jewelry, and even makeup.

2. Help Plan Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties

Bridal showers are usually for the family of the bride and groom and other close friends.

The bridesmaids are expected to, at the very least, attend the shower and help plan the event.

However, this is not necessary. Meanwhile, bridesmaids can get creative and take charge of bachelorette parties.

For the bachelorette parties, you can help secure travel plans, book tickets and accommodations, plan the activities, and manage the finances between each bridesmaid so the bride’s expenses are covered.

bridal shower duties bridesmaid — Source

3. Help With The Wedding Tasks

One of the main duties of a bridesmaid is to help the couple out with various wedding tasks.

Depending on each of your individual interests, skills, and talents.

For example, if you are good at crafts, the couple might ask you to help with DIY wedding decorations.

You might also be asked to sort through RSVPs and guest lists and help with menu choices, layout, and décor.

When working on the wedding tasks, it’s possible that conversations between the bridesmaids could get misconstrued, or personalities may clash.

Bridesmaids can be from the same friend group, but seldom not all of the bridesmaids will know each other.

Play nice, be kind, and don’t complain to each other or the bride!

4. Book Tickets and Hotels

If the wedding reception is held somewhere out of town, quite far from your house, or even abroad, bridesmaids are expected to take care of their own transportation and accommodations.

Some couples provide them, but most of them don’t. Hence, it’s a good idea to book them early.

Several platforms usually offer good deals if you buy them weeks or a month before the departure date!

5. Be Emotionally Supportive

Lastly, it is essential to be there for the bride emotionally.

Wedding planning can be very stressful and daunting, so it is important to ensure you can be there whenever the bride needs you.

Well, you don’t have to be present physically all the time, but it’s nice for the bride to know that her bridesmaids are there for her as her best supporters.

Wedding Day Bridesmaid Duties

6. Talk With The Planner

During the big day, it’s important for the bridesmaids to talk with the wedding organizer and understand your role with them.

Bridesmaids usually are given direction from the planner or organizer at some point during the wedding activities.

The plan and timeline of the wedding are usually shared prior to the wedding day.

Be mindful of their schedule and make sure you do whatever is asked to ensure that everything goes smoothly!

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7. Get Ready Together With The Bride

Bridesmaids can’t be late to the wedding, so make a plan to show up at the designated getting-ready location on time.

Bring all your things, such as attire, shoes, jewelry, makeup, etc, to the place and make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

However, besides getting ready, you also need to accompany the bride during this time.

Keep her calm and collected, make sure she eats something, help her into her dress (if needed), assist her with her shoes, jewelry, or veil, and help set the mood.

bridesmaid tasks before wedding — Source

8. Walk The Aisle

One of the few bridesmaid duties during the wedding is walking the aisle.

The order in which you walk during the ceremony will depend on which entrance style the couple has chosen.

The most popular American way is for the bridesmaids and the rest of the wedding party to walk the aisle first, and the bride will come last.

However, this might be different if the couple has another idea for how they want to enter their ceremony.

9. Being The Support Crew

Bridesmaids are expected to be the support crew for the bride and the maid of honor during the wedding.

You can help by double-checking all the vendors to ensure everything goes as planned, helping guests navigate the venue, and standing near the gift table or guest book to help direct and facilitate the guests’ participation.

Besides the guests, bridesmaids should be available to assist the bride.

Perhaps the bride needs to touch up her makeup or help her go to the bathroom if she has a particularly cumbersome dress.

Also, keep an eye out to make sure the bride always has something to drink and food as the event goes on.

10. Prepare For Photos

What’s a wedding party without a proper bridesmaids photo with the couple?

Typically these group photos occur right after the ceremony, or some couples do it before.

Ensure with the planner or the photographer when the photo time is so that you can stick together and be ready to follow the photographer’s commands.

Post-Wedding Bridesmaid Duties

11. Help With The Returns

If you have anything to return, such as attire, shoes, jewelry, etc, always offer to help return any rentals.

This will help the newlywed because they might be very tired after a long wedding day.

Along with the maid of honor and the planner, assemble any items that need to be transported out of the reception venue at the end of the night and return the rentals to the vendors.

12. Help Clean Up The Venue

There’s nothing wrong with helping the couple, and their families clean up the venue after the wedding reception, especially if they have the wedding without the help of a planner.

You have to pack or clean up some items, such as unused ceremony programs or sparklers, leftover alcohol, any decor or signage, wedding cards, and gifts, the guest book, and the bride/groom’s wedding attire if necessary.

Concluding

Being a bridesmaid is not just about wearing a pretty dress and standing by the bride’s side on her big day.

It’s a role filled with love, support, and commitment.

From helping with wedding preparations to being there for the bride on the wedding day, and even extending your support after the celebration, the duties of a bridesmaid are meaningful and impactful.

Remember, you are playing a crucial part in creating beautiful memories that the couple will cherish forever.

So embrace your role, shower the bride with love and assistance, and relish in the joy of being a bridesmaid as you contribute to the magical journey of love and happiness.

The Ultimate Bridesmaid Duties List: 12 Things That Are Expected From You

Maid of Honor vs Bridesmaid Duties