The Duties of The Bridesmaids

Barbados Destination Weddings Onsite Magazine

The roles of the bridesmaids are very simple in today’s modern wedding but are a great honour which comes with responsibility. Basically it is the chief bridesmaid who bears the main brunt of the responsibility for the bride; the other maids are there to offer any assistance that either of them may need, in carrying out their duties.

On the wedding day bridesmaids provide colour, beauty and a unified support system for the bride. The bride will expect you to be gracious and at least get along to exemplify this strong unity.

They are usually selected from very special or meaningful friends or members of either family. A bridesmaid is usually in her late teens upwards.

A junior bridesmaid is a girl between the ages of about eight to fifteen who is too old to be a flower girl but a little too young to be considered a full bridesmaid.

WEDDING DUTIES

PRE - WEDDING

There are many things you can do as a bridesmaid to help the wedding process, like addressing invitations and helping physically with décor. The bridesmaids may receive a gift from the bride as a thank-you for their help and presence.

Helps to prepare and coordinate the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
Helps with the cost of the shower, bachelorette party and the bride’s gift along with the Maid of Honour
To attend all rehearsals, fittings and other pre-wedding occasions
To help the Maid of honour with any additional help she may need to carryout her duties for the bride
To offer assistance during the entire wedding planning process

WEDDING DAY

To help where needed on the wedding day
Stands in the receiving line with the rest of the wedding party
Stands in official photographs of the day
Is seated at the head table with the bride and groom if the seating arrangements allow
The bridesmaid now pays for her own outfit but if the bride requests a particular look or hairstyle, she may contribute
Participate and show good sportsmanship when the bride throws the bouquet
Helps the Maid of Honour to clean up at the end of the day

JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS

Dresses very similar to the full bridesmaids but in a more demure manner, respectfully in keeping with her age.
The parents are responsible for paying for her dress
Performs handy little help out tasks before the wedding but does not help in the planning of the shower
Attends all rehearsals and other pre-wedding occasions
Performs minor duties during the wedding like helping the Usher to seat guests or hand out programs
Will walk up the aisle like the other bridesmaids but goes up before them
She doesn’t usually stand in the receiving line unless she is a family member and the bride specifically requests it.
Her bouquet is less elaborate than the main bridesmaids
Doesn’t usually attend the bridal shower, depending on the nature of the celebration.
Doesn’t attend the bachelorette party.

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