HERE COME THE GIRLS

There’s more to being a bridesmaid than swilling champers on the hen do and walking down the aisle. From the lead-up to the big day, here are 25 key roles for your bride squad

words Becci Clubb

Naturally, you’ll want support in the lead-up to and throughout the wedding day. You’ll turn to your partner for the big things, but when it comes to the little details, you’re likely to want to turn to your besties for advice.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a great honour, but with it comes big responsibilities. Before you select your bridesmaids or bridesmen, make sure you have considered your decision. Think about what you expect from your bridal party and if the person you are thinking of asking will be able to meet these expectations. Once you have chosen your bridal squad, it’s time to get to work and start delegating!

Being a bridesmaid doesn’t just involve turning up and walking down the aisle. Your bridesmaids will be your go-to people for making the wedding planning fun and stress-free. From wedmin tasks to being by your side on the big day, here is how you can bring out the best in your bridesmaids…

1. If you know exactly who you want to walk down the aisle in procession with, you can ask your favourite people to be your bridesmaids early on in your engagement. The benefit? Your gang can help you to organise an engagement party. 2. Your spouse might not be interested in attending wedding fairs.

Step in the bridesmaids! Make a day of visiting a wedding show, stopping off for lunch and a debrief after spending the morning sourcing suppliers and inspiration. 3. Once you and your significant other have whittled your venue options down to one or two, arrange a site visit with your bridesmaids. These ladies are likely to know you inside out and will be able to help you make the right decision on where to wed. 4. Dress shopping! An obvious, but important, role for the bridesmaids. If you are sticking with tradition, your partner won’t see your outfit until the ceremony. Your bridesmaids can offer their advice as you search for your dream dress and all come together to agree on a shade and style for the bridesmaid dresses too.

5. Rope in the bridesmaids to address envelopes, post save the dates and track your RSVPs – many hands make light work! 6. You will have partied with your leading ladies many times, they know what music gets you on the dance floor. Ask them to find three evening entertainment options within your budget before you make the final choice. 7. One of the biggest roles for the bridesmaids is organising your dream hen party. Your bridal squad can take the reins in organising your last night of freedom, planning activities, sending invitations and collecting deposits. 8. Ask your girls for cost-saving ideas to help you stick to your budget. They might think of ideas you haven’t. 9. Plan a night in with the girls and get to work on DIY tasks. Enjoy a glass of wine while you make tassel bunting or fill glass jars with sweets for your candy cart. 10. Bridesmaids should be front and centre at the wedding rehearsal – whether a full rehearsal or a quick venue visit to practise walking down the aisle.

11. Enlist the girls to help you to find something borrowed, blue, old and new for good luck on your special day. 12. Do any of your bridesmaids bake amazing cakes or sing in your local bar? Ask them to use their talents on the wedding day; they’ll be honoured and it will be a meaningful part of the day for you. 13. Pack a bag of on-the-day essentials, including things like safety pins,

lip balm, plasters, tissues and a straw. Give it to one of your bridesmaids to look after in case of any emergencies! 14. In the morning, the bridesmaids should be on hand to field calls and deal with any last-minute issues, allowing you time to relax, sip champagne and be pampered. 15. If you’ve chosen a dry-hire venue, trust your bridesmaids to set up on the day, from arranging tables and putting out decorations to instructing suppliers on where to display things. 16. You will be busy all day so it’s the bridesmaids’ duty to make sure you have something to eat in the morning, to save you some canapés and to keep your drink topped up all day long (we mean water too!). 17. The girls will be there in the morning to help you get ready, from buttoning up your dress to helping you step into your shoes. 18. The girl gang should ensure everyone has everything they need before you all leave for the ceremony – including your bouquets and ceremony readings. 19. If you have a long train, the bridesmaids should fan out your dress before you make your entrance (and again at the end of the aisle) and be on hand if you need any assistance going to the toilet! 20. Along with the groomsmen, the bridesmaids should help organise group photographs to avoid you having to stand around for ages while your guests assemble. 21. Although not in the traditional line-up, bridesmaid speeches are becoming popular. Your girls might take to the mic to raise a toast to the newlyweds. 22. Ask your bridesmaids to look after the guests throughout the day – checking on elderly relatives, making sure no one misses the first dance and helping people navigate their way around the venue.

23. Whether they join you during the first dance or for the next song, the bridesmaids should lead the way onto the dance floor, encouraging other guests to do the same. 24. Just before the end of the night, your wedding party should head to your room and make sure it’s tidy after a busy wedding morning – they could even order a bottle of champagne for you to make a private toast to saying “I do”. 25. Your bridesmaids should be with you to offer you love, support and help you overcome any wedding nerves, ensuring you have the best day ever!

Planning a wedding is so much fun but it’s hard too. It comes with a whole host of potential stresses. Both in the planning and on the big day itself, surround yourself with the right people. The people that love you will be honoured to be included in your bridal party and happy to help you on such a monumental day. Your bridesmaids are your leading ladies, not just on the day but throughout your life too. So follow your instinct and pick the people you couldn’t live without.