Thank you to our Guest Contributor Maggie Holmes for this wonderful article…
One of your close friends finally tying the knot is a happy occasion: you are probably just as excited as her for the big day. Being a bridesmaid, however, is not an easy job. If this is your first time in this position, you might feel overwhelmed and confused about what your duties as a bridesmaid are. In that case, here are a few tips that will help you navigate the preparations for this big event more easily!
Think about your budget
How much you as a bridesmaid are expected to chip in to things like the bridal shower, your dress and accessories is different for every wedding. Much of it depends on the age and financial status of the bride, but you should be prepared to set aside some money. In case you and the other bridesmaids are responsible for organizing things like catering for the bridal shower, make sure all of you are on the same page and be open about it if you are tight on money. The best way to go would be to set a budget in advance.
Be understanding and reliable
Wedding preparations are extremely stressful to brides, so you shouldn’t get annoyed when she comes to you to vent. After all, one of your responsibilities is to support the bride and help her make her decisions. So, when she emails you about something and asks about your opinion, try to give valuable feedback. Even if at times, the matter looks trivial to you, put yourself in her shoes and try to be understanding.
The notorious bridesmaid’s dress
Bridesmaids’ dresses tend to have a bad rap in media. However, things are a bit different today, so there is no reason to be stressed about it. Oftentimes, bridesmaids can choose their own dresses nowadays. In some countries, such as Australia, it is more common for the bride to pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, but in others, the bridesmaid is expected to cover the costs of her own gown. If the latter is the case, you can try to save some money by renting out a dress – it’s a totally viable option if you don’t plan on wearing the same dress in the future!
Hair and makeup
The bride might decide to pay for her bridesmaids’ hair and makeup expenses, but oftentimes, everyone will have to get this sorted out themselves. Since you will have a lot of responsibilities and your makeup will be the last thing on your mind, you could go for practical solutions that you won’t have to worry about lasting throughout the day. You could even get eyelash extensions and forget about mascara!
If things get tough
Organizing a wedding can get a little crazy, and the bride might expect you to help out with a lot of things. If it seems to be getting out of hand and you simply cannot spare enough time do it all, the best thing you could do is being straightforward with the bride. Your work and private responsibilities are still important so you shouldn’t feel bad about this. The bride will appreciate your honesty, and you can still offer to do one thing while she finds someone else to help out with the other.
Be prepared
When the big day arrives, come prepared for unforeseen circumstances. A little wardrobe malfunction might seem like the end of the world for the bride, so before she has a breakdown, whip out some safety pins and save the day. You should also have some snacks on hand as preparations for the ceremony can take a long time and no one wants to walk down the aisle with a growling stomach. All in all, be resourceful and prepared and everything will go smoothly.
Being able to help your bestie have the best day of her life is an amazing experience, but no one would deny that being a bridesmaid is indeed a stressful role. Hopefully, these tips will help you navigate this task easier!
About the Author
Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger keen on writing about beauty and fashion. Her hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MaggieH04666334
