It’s such an honour to be asked to be someone’s bridesmaid. You’ll be bursting with excitement and ready to talk all things weddings at the drop of the hat.
But if you’re a first-time bridesmaid, it can also be a bit nerve-wracking. It’s only natural that you want to help make sure the brides wedding day as brilliant as can be, and that all begins with being a good bridesmaid yourself. Here’s some top tips on how to be just that 😊
Be there to listen.
Wedding planning brings all sorts of stresses especially these days, so you need to be the calm in the midst of the madness. Be the bride’s confidante, let her vent if she needs to and try to help her see the fun side if she’s starting to get overwhelmed
Help her find her frock
More and more brides are opting to keep their dresses a secret from everyone so she can do a big reveal on the day.
But if not, part of your job will be to help her find her dream dress. This is an exciting part of planning but with so many dresses to choose from, it can also get a bit overwhelming. Be honest with the bride if theres a dress that you genuinely think doesn’t suit her but rather than be completely negative, turn it into a positive by suggesting alternatives that you know are more flattering and show off her best features. At the end of the day however, its the brides decision and if she absolutely falls in love with a dress then support her 100%.
Be honest about your dress (within reason)
At the end of the day all brides have a look in mind for their bridal party so please try accommodate her wishes as much as you possibly can. However, uncomfortable bridesmaids do not make for happy photographs so if theres something that you know you just cant wear then say it. The mix and match bridesmaids look is really popular at the moment and might be the way to go if you can’t decide on dresses that everyone likes.
DO NOT fight with other bridesmaids
You’re a team, so make sure you act like it! Your number 1 priorty is to support the bride so regardless of differences of opinions put on a united front.
Help the bride
Don’t just say, “Call me if you need a hand!” If you know something needs to be done then offer to take that specific task off her hands. Asking for help can be difficult for some brides, so if you take the lead, it removes one more thing from her to-do list.
Plan the Best Hen Party EVER!
Every bride deserves an amazing hen party but be sure to organise something that you know the bride will enjoy. It can be a tricky to navigate but ask her upfront if theres something that she definitely doesnt want and go from there. Remember that her Mum and possibly the Grooms Mum might be there so keep the really embarrassing stories to a minimum.
Missing guests
This is especially lovely at the moment with so few guests allowed…
Organise messages from friends and family who are unable to attend the wedding. Be it in the form of emails that can be read out during the speeches or maybe get the guests to send a photo of themselves with a message written on the back. The bride and groom will absolutely love it!
Dress fittings
Its also a good idea to be there for the brides fittings if possible. Some dresses can be tricky to close so learn how to help her into it. And pay special attention on how to tie up the bustle, if there is one.
On the day
Fingers crossed everything runs smoothly on the day itself , but it’s always possible that a couple of things might go wrong, if possible try and resolve any issues without telling the bride. She doesn’t need to know about little things that can easily be fixed.
The morning of the wedding is going to be a full of excitement and it can be easy to fall behind, so make sure to keep things moving. The makeup artist and hairstylist will most likely have given a rota so give everyone their time slots and avoid confusion, drama or delays.
Keep an eye on the brides makeup and lipstick all day. It’s up to you to let the bride know if she’s got lipstick on her teeth, mascara smudged under her eyes or if she’s looking a wee bit shiney. The makeup artist will have recommended products for top ups so make the bride has them with her.
Have an emergency kit ready to go on the day full of safety pins, needle & thread, tissues, mints, plasters etc Believe me, you’ll be glad of it.
Stay close by for photos. Not only will you be needed for bridal party shots, the bride might need help adjusting her dress or someone to hold her bouquet! You’re also probably going to need to help round up guests for the various group pics.
Depending on the brides dress, she might need help going to the loo and if thats the case then your on bathroom duty for the day!
Finally, be first on the dance floor (after the bride & groom of course) and encourage others to keep it filled for the night!
P xx
