what do bridesmaids do?

Question

i've never been in a wedding before

Answer 1

Bridesmaids are there for moral support, assistance and the sharing of a very special time for the Bride. She'll be nervous, frustrated, stressed and exhausted. There's much to plan and do at a Wedding. She'll need all the helping hands that she can get, especially with getting ready, running errands, etc......The most important thing is to be someone she can lean on and depend on when the moment calls for it.

Answer 2

During the ceremony they process in ahead of the bride and then stand to one side. The maid of honor holds the bride's bouquet when she needs both hands free (as when she is exchanging rings, etc.) They then process out after the bride and groom this time on the arms of the groomsmen/ushers.

Before the ceremony they can help the bride get ready. One or more bridesmaids may be responsible for organizing a bridal shower or a bachelorette party.

After the ceremony they need to be available to pose for formal wedding pictures.

At the reception they stand in the receiving line and greet the guests. The maid of honor may propose a toast to the bride or respond on her behalf to someone else's toast. The bridesmaids and all other single women may assemble to catch the bride's bouquet. The tradition is that the one to catch it will be the next one to marry.

All of these duties depend on what the people organizing the wedding (bride, her mother) want. There are many traditions and no hard fast rules. But a bridesmaid's duty is mainly to help make sure that the bride has a wonderful experience at her wedding.

Answer 3

Depending on how many bridesmaids there are and whether on not you're the maid-of-honor you will basically host a number of events leading up to the wedding such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party. If necessary, ask the mother of the bride for help planning events, financing any purchases and allowing the shower to take place at her house. The bride-to-be may also want assistance in picking out her dress or at least shopping around. But don't hesitate to discuss any and all of this with the bride because her mother may be planning all of these events already or the bride may not want any of it at all.

Answer 4

Bridesmaids are chosen usually based on their close friendships with the bride, and/or are family members, often siblings.
They are financially responsible for purchasing their own dress and matching shoes, and in most cases paying for their own professional make-up and hair, unless they chose to do their own.
Sometimes the bride will purchase nice matching necklaces for each bridesmaid, as a gift.
The bouquet of flowers they carry down the aisle is furnished by the bride and groom, or their parents.
The Maid of Honor always takes the lead in looking out for the bride's needs, such as fluffing out her gown on the altar, holding her bouquet during the ring exchange, and assisting her with any other details on the wedding day.
The bridesmaids should also be attentive to the bride, and never try to overshadow her, since it is the bride's most important day.
It should be considered an honor to be chosen to be one of the bridesmaids or the Maid of Honor in a wedding.

Answer 5

Your bridesmaids are suppose to help with anything they can. Most people have the idea that you just show up the day of the wedding, and thats it. Well, If that's the case then y have them at all.

Help your bride out by asking what you can help with. Is there anything she wants you to do, or can you tag along with her to try on her dress or pick out the cake. Let her know that you are there for her, After all you are someone special to her because she asked you to stand up with her.

Answer 6

Bridesmaids were originally the servants of the brides. Some who were attendance at her birth. All whom were unmarried were matron of honor. Those that were allowed to marry and live out side the house were matrons. These unmarried women were in charge of everything about the wedding. I do mean everything about the wedding from candle making , dress fitting ,styling of the hair, decorating, food, ect.... . These ladies were also called upon to testify that she was a virgin. This was traditional.
Weddings were a size of ones fortune. Of course dresses were not white. Unless you were of the wealthy that could afford such dress.
Today just like in those days. Bridesmaids attend functions such has parties for the bride, Usually given by the bridesmaids. Most likely organized by the Matron of Honor. If a bride chooses a Matron of Honor that is married then she needs to take in to consideration that this woman has a family and sometimes can not attend or organize functions for the bride.
At rehersal the Matron of Honor does the brides walk. Usually the bride is exhausted by then. Rehearsal dinners the Matron of Honor and Matrons are to arrive before the bride. In tradtion most likely the bride would not have met the groom or his family so this was done in show of support of her family to make her more at ease.
Matron of Honor proceed the bride in progression. She is responsible for ring, dress at the halter, flowers, and her word that the bride is true to her vowel she is taken. Matrons take care of children in the progression . Like those that grow bored with the exchange of vowels.
Now days after doing many, many weddings I think it comes down to this. A bride who thought enough of you to ask you to be in her wedding and to share in her moment needs someone that calls her on a daily bases and ask," What can I do to help you today?" Or ask, " Is this something I can handle for you?" Dressing at the church bring an extra pair of hose for the bride. Try to keep all prying eyes out of the brides dressing room. If this means guarding the door. This includes Aunt Betsy with a walking cane. What Im going to say is going to sound rude but I'll say it none the less. If the bride wanted these people in her room while dressing she would have invited them to be in her wedding. Simple as that. Keep the door lock to the dressing room or the waiting room of the bride. This is where the term brides in waiting comes in. Bring little snacks, nothing messy. Bring differant shades of makeup. If there is not a wedding planner then gather gifts from family members and place them on a table away from the bride and groom .
Also a bride needs people to understand she is under alot of stress. Most likely exhausted. This is one of the most important decisions she will ever make in her life time. To sum this up make your self the brides maid to serve her during this time of her life is the highest calling of any womans life. God Bless

Answer 7

Wow..... What have you gone and gotten yourself into ---- nah only joking...... Been a bridesmaid should be one of the fun times in your life --- but then i guess it all depends on the bride if she is a BRIDEZILLA or not... But all in all i hope you have fun, just remeber whilst making sure you do everything your suppose to do, have fun doing it all and ENJOY yourself....

Now seriously, I have recently gotten married and i think this websites mite help you.... But just remember if in doubt ask the bride, because she may not expect as much as you think she does, and it maybe easier to get the list from her what she would like you to do... Also it maybe a idea to met up with the other bridemaides....

Best of luck with everything!!!!

Answer 8

Check out this book:

The Everything Bridesmaid Book
Cost: $9.95
ISBN: 1580629822

(I included the ISBN because it is the easiest way to search for books online or at the store.)

I got copies for all of my bridesmaids. It's fantastic, and covers everything! It is especially good if you end up with a Bridezilla who expects a lot out of you. I, along with most brides, just want them for moral support--but you never know!

Answer 9

you make sure her train doesn't get dirty and that her makeup isn't smudged. you might also help her do up her bustle, if she has the kind of dress where the train is pulled up. mostly, the "maid of honor" will be closest to her, but bridesmaids can help out too.

otherwise, you basically stand there holding flowers in a dress that you didn't pick out or particularly like but you don't mention it because she's your friend and you love her.

Answer 10

The bridemaid doesnt do anything but show up and make sure that you dont do anything to upstage the bride.