A Guide to Bridesmaid's Duties: How to Make Your BFF's Wedding Day Flawless

So, brides, it's just days before your wedding and you're juggling last-minute fittings, relative drama, and finalising a million tiny details. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a solid support crew to help you navigate the chaos? That's where your bridesmaids come in!

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it's not just about matching outfits and Instagram moments. A good bridesmaid is ready to roll up her sleeves and take on essential duties to ensure the bride's big day is smooth and stress-free. From helping choose the perfect bridal wear collection to being the bride's emotional rock, here's the full scoop on how to be the most valuable member of the bride tribe.

Essential Bridesmaid Duties

Among the many duties, the maid of honour's duties play a key role in supporting the bride throughout her wedding journey.

Pre-Wedding Bridesmaid Duties

The wedding day may be the main event, but a bridesmaid's work begins way before the "I dos." Here are some key pre-wedding duties to keep in mind:

Bridesmaid Duty: Organising Bridal Showers and Hen Parties

Wedding planning can get intense with dance practices and decor meetings, so bridesmaids play a key role in organising pre-wedding celebrations to help the bride unwind. The bridal shower is usually a more intimate, family-friendly event, like a tea party or spa day with close relatives. The hen party, however, is all about letting loose with the bride tribe — whether it's a weekend getaway or a chic cocktail night, the goal is to create lasting memories.

Some key things to keep in mind when planning pre-wedding parties:

• Pick a theme that reflects the bride's personality and interests.
• Delegate tasks like decor, food, games, music etc. among the bridesmaids.
• Create a shared itinerary so everyone knows the plan for the day/night.
• Arrange transportation and accommodations if needed for out-of-town guests.
• Don't forget to capture all the fun moments with a hashtag or polaroid guestbook!

Wedding Day Bridesmaid Duties

The big day is finally here! As a bridesmaid, you'll be playing many roles - part coordinator, part confidante, part crisis manager. Here's how to handle all your wedding day duties like a pro:

Bridesmaid Duty: Assisting the Bride with Her Bridal Wear Collection

The bride may have spent months curating her dream wedding trousseau, but she'll rely on her BFFs to bring the looks to life. On the big day, help her stick to a timeline, steam outfits, organise accessories, and stay calm — while being prepared for any last-minute fashion emergencies with a stain pen, sewing kit, and makeup essentials.

Here's a handy checklist of things to help the bride with on the wedding day:

• Bridal lehenga/saree and all accessories laid out and ready to wear.
• Comfy robes, slippers, and undergarments to wear during getting-ready photos.
• Touch-up makeup kit with extra lipstick, compact, bobby pins etc.
• Stain removal pen and mini sewing kit for outfit emergencies.
• Snacks and water to keep the bride energised between events.
• Helping with outfit changes and holding the dupatta during photos.

Bridesmaid Duty: Ensuring the Wedding Day Runs Smoothly

On the wedding day, bridesmaids act as the bride's personal assistants and event coordinators. From managing vendors and herding guests for photos to keeping the timeline on track, your job is to handle the details so the bride can relax and enjoy the day. Be the go-to person for guest questions, and don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to others when needed.

Some tips for keeping things running smoothly:

• Make sure all the bridesmaids have a copy of the day-of timeline and contact sheet.
• Designate specific duties to each bridesmaid (e.g. one manages vendors, one is on guest duty, etc.)
• Have a wedding day emergency kit on hand with essentials like safety pins, band-aids, painkillers, and snacks.
• Keep the bride's phone and personal belongings safe and accessible.
• Run last-minute errands like steaming the veil or picking up the bouquet.
• Make sure the bride stays hydrated and eats something before the ceremony.
• Help bustling the lehenga before the reception or holding the dupatta during the vows.

Post-Wedding Bridesmaid Duties

You thought the work was over after the last dance? Not so fast! Here are a few post-wedding duties for the best bridesmaids:

• Help the bride pack for the honeymoon and make sure all her essentials are in order.
• Return any rented or borrowed accessories, outfits, or decor items.
• Coordinate with the newlyweds to collect wedding gifts and cards.
• Gather and share photos with the bride and other guests.
• Assist with any post-wedding events like a farewell brunch or gift-opening party.
• Check in with the bride after the honeymoon to see how she's settling into newlywed life.

And don't forget the most important post-wedding duty of all - reminiscing about all the epic moments and memories with your BFF bride over a glass (or three) of champagne!

Have You Been the Best Bridesmaid?

Being a bridesmaid is about more than just wearing a pretty lehenga and posing for pictures. It's a promise to be the bride's ultimate support system, cheerleader, and partner-in-planning through one of the most exciting (and overwhelming) times in her life.

From shopping for the perfect wedding wear to keeping the big day running smoothly, a bridesmaid's duties are varied and sometimes challenging - but always rewarding. The key is to stay organised, communicate openly, and never lose sight of what's most important.

And when the wedding planning gets stressful, just remember - there's nothing a little bridal party dance party and some retail therapy at Mohey can't fix!