Are Wedding Bells Ringing For You?
I’ve just been asked to be a bridesmaid, in a year’s time. It seems like a lot of people I know these days are planning for or recovering from wedding fever.
Even though I am not the one who will be taking her vows, the idea of this wedding is already starting to stress me out. Especially since this is the first time I have been in a wedding since I was a six-year-old flower girl. Now that I think about it, I don’t even know what a bridesmaid is supposed to do. Luckily I am on the Yahoo! Answers team, because without this web site I don’t think I would make it.
I have so many questions about what I am responsible for, and how much it will cost. I hope I don’t have to plan the shower — I like the idea of a wedding shower, but am not really one for coming up with girly party games. I am more of a bachelorette party-planning type of girl. Those are the fun, goofy types of games and charades that I can get into.
I am definitely going to need help when it comes to the wedding itself, though The first fear of any bridesmaid is the dreaded dress. I’ve known this girl since high school, but weddings can make anyone crazy, so I am crossing my fingers that I won’t have to wear pink taffeta. I think I will handle what to do during the ceremony when it gets closer to the date.
Are you in the midst of wedding fever? Has Answers helped you during your wedding? And more importantly, do you have any advice for a first-time bridesmaid?
Stephanie
Just ask the bride what you have to do and make sure you get details.. Usually bridesmaids help the maid of honour but I’m not sure because I’ve never been asked to do anything at a wedding except dance at the reception.
If the bride doesn’t mind who does what, you and the other bridesmaids should sit down together and work out what you’re going to divide between you. One of the other girls might want to plan the shower so she’ll do that while you obviously prefer to do the bachelorette party. I’m a bridesmaid in October and one of the girls is organising the logistics of the bachelorette party and I’m organising games to be played on the night in amongst the eating, drinking and dancing.
You might also get asked to help with invitations, table settings or other things that the bride might be too busy to do.
Only having ever been a groom, I can only offer limited advice. However, I think you’re stressing over nothing.
The best thing about being a bridesmad (and not the Maid of Honour) is that really nothing is expected of you except standing beside the bride on her wedding day. Sure, you’ll have to attend showers and bachelorette parties, but truthfully your only obligation is on the day of the event.
That having been said, there ARE a number of ways you can contribute if you want. Brides always have a million things they want for their wedding day (invitations, decorations, a ride…) so all you need to do is ask.
When my wife and I married 2 years ago, we had a list about an arm’s length of things to do the week before the wedding. It seemed that the more things we crossed off the list, the more things we ended up adding to it!
If you want to help out, ask the bride if there is anything you can help her with. Picking someone up from the airport is a huge help if you can do it. Or grabbing the flowers on the day of the wedding. Since you seem to already be in “party” mode, ask the Maid of Honour if she would like your help planning the bachelorette party. Don’t offer to take it over unless she’s really not into it… technically it is her responsibility.
Lastly, about the dresses. you might have to suck it up and just wear whatever the bride chooses. However, if she’s not completely neurotic, you might be able to get away with having a dress made if she chooses the fabric. My wife’s bridesmaids all had different styles of dresses, but they were each tailored to their body types so #1, they looked good, and #2 they would probably be worn again (unlike MOST bridesmaids dresses).
Don’t sweat it, though… even if you have to wear an ugly dress, just remember it is HER day and you’re doing this to make her happy. When you get married you can exact your revenge on her however you like!
DON’T GET MARRIED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DID IT ONCE AN REALLY. LOL
MY ADVISE: RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN AND KEEP RUNNINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. LOL
NOTE: Marriage is not for everyone !!
Hey just kidding…………
Hoping your special day; is everything you expect it to be and more.
There are lots of websites to choose from. If you go this route it’s eaesier to use a Canadian-base one such as http://www.weddingbells.ca they have a great set-up and everything is easy to read and follow and the website offers local vendor resource centre for Photography, cakes, accessories, dress’ etc. Have fun