Are you wondering what the bridesmaid duties are? If you’re asked to be a bridesmaid, but you’re unclear on your responsibilities, look no further! In this blog post, you’ll learn exactly what a bridesmaid needs to do leading up to and including the wedding day. There are 12 bridesmaid responsibilities that are essential to make sure the bride has a momentous big day and lasting memories leading up to it. The ultimate goal: make it as stress-free as possible.
Here is the bridesmaid duties list so you don’t forget a thing. I’m also including a short video to watch if you prefer. Let’s get started!
Here’s a short video answering the big question: what do bridesmaids need to do? Here’s a video outlining the bridesmaid duties every bridal party attendant needs to do.
And here’s the ultimate bridesmaid duties checklist.
What Do Bridesmaids Do: The Bridesmaid Duties List
1. Attend as many pre-wedding events as possible.
As a bridesmaid, one of your biggest tasks is attending pre-wedding parties and events. These may include the engagement party, the wedding shower, and the bachelorette party. If you live far away and cannot attend all of these, let the bride know as soon as possible.
2. Assist at wedding events if needed.
Assist in the planning or celebration if needed. One of the big bridesmaid duties is to assist in the bridal shower: offer your assistance to the host ahead of time, and if she requests it, assist in tasks such as setup of the shower, takedown of the event, or help out in other ways like purchasing the party game prizes, favors, food, cake, writing down gifts (who they’re from and what the item is) when the bride opens them, or helping out with bridal shower games.
It is a nice gesture to offer assistance to the host, but she may not need any help and that’s OK, too!
3. Help the bride with any errands.
If the bride needs assistance with any errands, it’s a great way to help the bride by doing it for (or with) her.
4. Purchase gifts for the wedding shower and the wedding day.
One of the bridesmaid’s responsibilities is to purchase a bridal shower gift and a wedding day gift. It doesn’t have to be elaborate (or expensive), but it should be meaningful. :)
5. Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
This is very important: makes sure you attend the rehearsal ahead of the wedding day and the rehearsal dinner that follows.
The rehearsal dinner is typically held the night before or 2 nights before the wedding. If you are traveling from out of town, you will need to hotel accommodations for those days, in addition to the wedding day itself.
6. Purchase your bridesmaid dress, shoes, and accessories.
The bridesmaid traditionally purchases her own bridesmaid dress, shoes, and accessories such as jewelry and an evening bag. (For more on this topic, read: Here’s EXACTLY What Bridesmaids Pay For.)
7. Support the bride.
Be supportive of the bride and be a good listener. If she’s feeling down or overwhelmed, lift her up and remind her how wonderful her wedding — and upcoming marriage — will be.
8. Arrive on time for the wedding day.
You may need to arrive very early in the morning on the wedding day for hair and makeup, so be sure to check with the bride to find out. Don’t be late!
9. Make sure your bridesmaid dress is wrinkle-free.
Purchase a fabric steamer if you do not have one. They are very affordable (this one is my favorite) and they will be helpful to have in your closet for years to come. Bring it with you on the wedding day to steam out any wrinkles in your bridesmaid dress. The bride may find this helpful, too, to have a steamer just in case! And other bridesmaids will be envious you brought one (and they’ll most likely ask to borrow yours!)
10. Walk in the ceremony processional and recessional.
One of the bridesmaid’s duties is to walk in the procession and the recession at the ceremony. You’ll walk down the aisle in a particular order, set by the couple, and practice the night of the rehearsal so you’ll be confident on the wedding day.
11. Dance and have fun at the wedding.
If you can… dance! Get out on the dance floor with the couple, the bridesmaids, and the wedding guests! If dancing’s not your thing, participate in other ways. Snap photos of the ceremony and reception and upload them here for the couple. Make sure guests are having fun. When it’s time to take photos, do so with a smile… as long and tiresome as it may be. :) Check in on the bride and see if she needs anything.
Most of all, have fun: it means a lot to the bride!
12. If anything goes awry, make sure the bride never finds out.
Ah, yes: the most important bridesmaid responsibility of all! If anything goes wrong at the wedding, ensure the bride never knows about it. :) Fix it, figure it out, and make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible.
Being a bridesmaid is an exciting time and can be a wonderful experience. If you plan ahead and manage the expectations, you will help the bride to have a smooth and memorable wedding day. Don’t forget to attend the wedding day events, help out as needed, and support the bride to make her wedding day extra special. I hope this list has given you a clear understanding of your duties as a bridesmaid so you can complete the job gracefully.
