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Behind the Bouquet: 5 Essential Duties Every Bridesmaid Should Know!

Bridesmaids are not just pretty faces in elegant gowns, adding glamour to the wedding venue. They are usually those girls who are closest to the bride, such as her sisters, cousins or closest friends. She trusts, and more importantly, depends on them for making her lifetime event a memorable one.

Bridesmaids support the bride throughout her wedding, right from the planning stage to the wedding day and even afterwards. There are many wedding-related duties that are performed by the bridesmaids, and they have a huge role in making the wedding a success.

Of the several responsibilities to be handled by the bridesmaids, here are the 5 noteworthy tasks they can take charge of.

1. Help the bride make her big and small decisions

Your friend will have hundreds of things to do for her wedding, and she is banking on her team of bridesmaids to get everything in order, on time. If she has questions or concerns and you have suggestions, provide it. If not, try to help her find an answer. If she asks you for your personal opinion on anything, give her your honest take on whatever it is.

2.Arrange the bridal shower and bachelorette party

Every bride deserves a fantastic bridal shower and bachelorette party, and it is the bridesmaids who plan and organize it for her. This is one of your most important duties, and you should put in some effort to make it memorable. Keep the bride in mind and plan the events in a way that she will love. Come up with some creative games, stock up on innovative bridal shower favors and help your friend enjoy her last celebration before she gets married.

3. Help with the wedding duties

There are a hundred or more big and small jobs to be completed, prior to the wedding. You will have to handle some of the errands for the day, but as a good friend, volunteer to help before the wedding too. Offer to address some invitations, visit venues with her or if she needs help with deciding the décor, seating arrangement or planning the rehearsal dinner. Also, take care that your bridesmaids dress is purchased, altered and collected on time, so the bride doesn’t have to worry about it.

4. Help the bride prepare for the ceremony, reception and honeymoon

You can help the bride in organizing all her activities for her wedding day. Take charge of putting her packed bags in place, and making sure her emergency bridal kit is complete. Make arrangements to collect her bridal dress after the reception and put it away safely or send it to be preserved. Be available for any last minute emergencies, and help her cope with stress by being there for her.

5. Duties on the wedding day

Your important duties continue to the wedding day. You will have to be dressed in your bridesmaid dress on time and ready to run last-minute errands or collect deliveries. Assist the Maid of Honor and efficiently handle all the tasks delegated to you. Receive guests at the reception, direct them to the bar and get them to sign the guest book. Help with bustling the train, when it is time for the reception. Also accompany the bride on her restroom visits, should she require it.

For more valuable wedding-related tips and advice, visit Best for Bride.

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Tips to help you choose your Maid of Honor

via Wikipedia Commons

Some brides do not have to think twice about who is to be their Maid of Honor. For others, it is a difficult task, choosing between their favorite girls.

The Maid of Honor is not just a position of pride, it is also one of responsibility. The success of your wedding depends to a great extent on who you choose for the task. If there is more than one contender for the role, make sure you think it over and assign the position to the person who is best fit to handle the responsibilities that come with it.

What are her responsibilities?

Your Maid of Honor is the captain of your bridesmaids group. She will be hosting your bachelorette party as well as your bridal shower, and helping you with all your wedding day decisions. She should be with you throughout the wedding ceremony, be capable of handling wedding emergencies and take charge of your wedding dress soon after you change out of it.

This requires her to be efficient, organized and available. One important factor is that you should feel close to her, be free to discuss your decisions or concerns and share similar taste. So, the right choice would be someone who is neither overbearing, nor too shy. Your best friend or perhaps favorite cousin or sister would be the best candidate for the role, if they fit these requirements.

Choose supportive and practical over stubborn and dramatic

Wedding planning is stress-laden as it is, and you need all the support you can get. Your Maid of Honor should be able to handle her responsibilities without making a big deal of it, or worrying you over every detail. She should be capable of working with minimum supervision, co-ordinate the bridesmaids without difficulty and not add to your stress levels by worrying you with unnecessary details.

Someone who understands your likes and dislikes, and knows your taste would be a better choice than an irresponsible and dramatic friend who seems incapable of handling the job without your help at every step.

Pay attention to personal situations when choosing the person

Being sensitive to your dear friend’s situation will help you make a decision that is both sensible and well-intended. If the person you’ve always considered for your maid of honor has just had a baby, or is going through a financial crisis, don’t burden her further by thrusting this role on her. Or if you feel that she still ought to fill the position, make sure you check with her first and confirm she is interested in being your maid of honor, rather than assuming it on her behalf.

What if you can’t make up your mind between two women?

For those ladies who are unable to decide between two best friends who are equally close to you and capable too, you have two options. Either ask them how they feel about being co-maids of honor, or leave the decision to them. This way, you can take the pressure off yourself, while also feeling good about your choice.

For more wedding tips, advice and all your wedding shopping needs, visit us on Best for Bride.