THE 8 BRIDESMAID DUTIES: A CLEAR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING ABOUT BEING IN THE WEDDING PARTY | PART 1

When you close your eyes and imagine your wedding day, you clearly see your partner. 

Who else is standing next to you? The people you’re dreaming of may very well be the people you should ask to be part of your most amazing day. 

But some of them may have never taken on the role of a bridesmaid/wedding party member before. So what are the bridesmaid duties they should expect? And how much does it cost to be a bridesmaid? 

I’m breaking it all down for you in this post so you can get a clear understanding of everything about being a bridesmaid! 

Bridesmaid Duties and Responsibilities: What Do the Members of Your Wedding Party Do?

A member of your wedding party does more than show up on your big day in the appropriate attire.

They’re there for you throughout your entire planning process! 

It’s important to know there are wedding party and bridesmaid responsibilities and duties leading up to your wedding and on the day itself.

Bridesmaid Duties: Before the Wedding Day

Yes, your wedding party often plans the pre-wedding events. But their duties also include making sure you have someone to talk to as you prepare for your big day. 

Here’s what the traditional wedding party and bridesmaid duties include: 

A Shoulder to Lean On

Planning a wedding is such an exciting time in your life. It’s the start of your marriage. And it’s a day to bring everyone you cherish together to celebrate your love story! 

But it can also have stressful moments. From organizing the logistics to managing other people’s expectations, you may feel frazzled from time to time. 

Your bridesmaids can help out there! Make sure you can lean on them, just as you always have before. 

Now, don’t get this confused with always having your bridesmaid “on-call.” You should still respect their boundaries. That being said, you can ask them if you can run certain things by them. Or you can ask her if she’d like to go to coffee or brunch to vent about the planning process. 

Helps Plan for the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party

It’s customary for the bridesmaid to help the maid or matron of honour/best person plan both the bridal shower and bachelorette party. 

These are often surprises for you, as the bride. And part of the traditional bridesmaid duties includes making sure you are taken care of for both. 

That means the bridesmaids’ responsibilities, typically, is to set up these pre-wedding events while covering your portion. 

It’s a sweet gesture for each of them to pitch in to make sure you don’t have to worry about any expenses for these occasions! 

Gives Their Opinion When Asked

You’ll have lots of decisions to make, even when you work with a wedding planner (although, they can guide you through every single one!). 

And your wedding party knows you almost as much as your partner does! So if you’re struggling to decide on certain aspects of your wedding day, you may want to ask for their opinion. 

As a member of your wedding party, it falls under “bridesmaid responsibilities” to give their opinion when they’re asked. But they should also know that it’s not their wedding - it’s yours. That means, even if you ask their opinion, you don’t have to take it. You can still make your own decision! 

I have no doubts your best friends standing next to you will understand that.

Skips the Drama

It’s not often you meet all of your wedding party at the same time in your life. One member of your party may be a friend from grade school. Another may be a wonderful co-worker that turned into an amazing friendship. 

If that’s the case, then chances are not all of your bridesmaids and members of your wedding party know each other. And that’s perfectly okay! 

It’s part of the bridesmaid duties to make sure they do their absolute best to get along with each other. While personalities may clash and not everyone will become immediate best friends, your bridesmaids should still work hard to make sure your pre-wedding events and your wedding day stay drama-free. 

Bridesmaid Duties:  On the Wedding Day

When people think of bridesmaid duties, they often only think of standing next to you at the altar. But the roles and responsibilities of your wedding party extend beyond that! 

Goes to the Rehearsal 

Your rehearsal is an important part of wedding planning! It’s where we run through each event on your ceremony itinerary. And it’s important for everyone who’s in the wedding to show up so they know what to expect on the day of, even those groomsmen!

Bridesmaid duties include going to the rehearsal, walking with their assigned escort without making a fuss, and paying attention so they’re well prepared for the day. 

Knows the Timeline

Your wedding day timeline will go out to your wedding party a week or two before the big day. 

Bridesmaid responsibilities do include reviewing the timeline to know how the day will unfold. They don’t have to memorize everything! But having a good understanding of what your wedding day will look like makes a world of difference on the day of. 

Makes Sure the Bride Is Taken Care Of

With all of the excitement of your wedding day, you might even forget to stay hydrated or fed! 

It’s normal, but it’s still necessary to address. Wedding party and bridesmaid duties involve making sure you’re taken care of! That means making sure you’ve had water throughout the day, making sure you’ve eaten something, and even helping you to the restroom if you need it. 

But, let’s be honest. With your best friends by your side, they’re going to take care of you anyway! 

Takes It to Anyone But You

There are plenty of moving parts on the wedding day. And, if we’re being realistic, there is the possibility of things getting off-track or not going exactly according to plan. 

Instead of coming to you to complain or to panic, bridesmaid duties mean taking it to anyone but you. 

They can talk to the wedding planner, they can talk to the maid or matron of honour or other bridesmaids. They can talk to their family after the wedding and reception are over. 

But what they shouldn’t do is pester or complain to you about things happening on your big day!

Overall, being a bridesmaid or a member of the wedding party comes with a few responsibilities. Between the energy and effort of fulfilling the wedding party and bridesmaid duties and responsibilities - it’s not an easy task to take on! 

But for those of your favourite people who can be there, it is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate such a major milestone. And most wedding party members agree it’s worth it to get to stand next to and support an incredible person in their life! 

Want to know more about planning for your big day?
Read the Lindsay Plank Event’s blog!