Get ready to be the best bridesmaid ever with our list of roles and responsibilities every bridesmaid should know!

Always a bridesmaid…We’ve all heard the expression before, and chances are you will end up being a bridesmaid a few times in your life! So if you’re going to be a bridesmaid, you might as well be the best bridesmaid ever! We’ve completed a list of all the duties any great bridesmaid should be able to fulfill.

Photo by: Rebecca Hollis Photography

Before the wedding:

• Pay for dress, shoes, jewelry: The bride has a vision in mind of what she wants to look like standing next to all her closest ladies, so it’s your responsibility to make sure that happens, even if that means purchasing your own wedding garb. You should also definitely attend all dress shopping and fittings to make sure that you are prepared for the day of!
• Always offer a hand: The bride is going to have a million and one things to do, so chances are, she’ll turn to the Maid of Honor to help her with everything from envelope stuffing to party favor designing. It’s important that the MOH doesn’t get too bugged down with responsibilities, because after all, there’s definitely other people that can help! Make sure to stay in communication with both the bride and the Maid of Honor so you can help with anything you are able to.
• Help plan all pre-wedding parties: While the Maid of Honor is supposed to spearhead the planning of both the bridal shower and the bachelorette party, the bridesmaids are supposed to pitch in as well! Sit down with the MOH and the rest of the bridal party and dole out responsibilities. Planning a rocking party takes a team of people with a lot of different skills that can come together successfully, so use your talents and plan the best parties out there!
• Attend all pre-wedding parties: The more the merrier at bridal showers and bachelorette parties, so get excited about some fun events leading up to the wedding. It’s important that as a bridesmaid, you attend these events, so you can get to know the other bridesmaids and everyone else close to the bride, if you don’t already. That way, when the wedding day comes, you’ll feel like you’re at a big party with all your own family and friends. And if you have fun, the bride will have fun!
• Attend bonding activities: Chances are, you will not know every single member of the bridal party well. The pre-wedding outings such as fittings, brunches, tastings, etc are the perfect opportunity to form a close bond with the other girls the bride has asked to stand beside her at her big day! Even if the friendships only last for the duration of the wedding, it’s on you to make sure that you form a pleasant bond with all the members of the bridal party.

The day of:

• Stay organized: The last thing the bride wants is to have to worry about whether or not her bridesmaids have their flowers, shoes, dresses, jewelry, hair and makeup together. Take it upon yourself to stay very organized the day of the wedding, so that you have the most time possible to help the bride with whatever she may need! Know the timeline of the day and the days leading up to the wedding like the back of your hand, so you can keep yourself responsible and help out anyone else who might get any dates or times confused!
• Get the party going: Sometimes people are a little slow to get onto the dance floor at weddings! Grab your new group of bridesmaid friends and get the party started! The wedding should be a blast anyway, but it’s your responsibility to make sure that everyone is up and moving! Plus, this gives you a great opportunity to mingle and dance with that cute grandma who is sitting by herself.
• Take care of the bride: The bride is going to have so many things on her mind the day of her wedding, so it is your job as both a bridesmaid and as a friend or family member to ease her stress. Help in any way possible to make sure any burdens or stress of the wedding day do not fall on the bride’s shoulders!

And remember, the bride has chosen you to stand next to her on the biggest day of her life. It’s so important to remember the friendship that led to this opportunity at all times. The day is important for the bride, but it’s also a big day for you, as you’re seeing a friend or family member get married! Have a blast and keep your friendship at the heart of all your duties as a bridesmaid.

As always, if your bride needs help planning for her big day, Visions is available for everything from full planning to day-of help!