Bridesmaids Guide

Fashion & Beauty

Bella Bridesmaids / Vow’d Weddings / Jewelsmith / Reign Beauty Folie à Deux Events / Heights House Hotel Photo by Jillian Knight Photography

Bridesmaids 101

By Kaylee Layman

NO. 1: ORDER YOUR DRESS EARLY Follow the celebrant’s suggestions in selecting your dress. Expect shipping delays due to the pandemic. Order your dress at least three months in advance if you anticipate alterations.

NO. 2: PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Wedding planning is stressful on an ordinary day; add in pandemic-related problems and the wedding boom, and you could have one anxiety-ridden marrier on your hands. Our advice? Be there when your friend or relative comes to you, and help out however you can.

NO. 3: PLAN PRE-WEDDING EVENTS Two of a bridesmaid’s biggest responsibilities are planning the shower and bachelorette party. Don’t leave the maid of honor hanging – be a team player.

NO. 4: ACCESSORIZE APPROPRIATELY Follow requests for selecting shoes, jewelry and a purse for the wedding. That includes color, size and style.

NO. 5: SKIN CARE IS SELF-CARE Make sure your skin looks and feels good for all those wedding photo shoots! If you have tan lines, try to find a self-tanning product to help you create a no-line look.

NO. 6: KNOW THE PLAN Talk to the celebrant or the maid of honor one week out to ensure that you are prepared. Triple check the day, time, location and transportation for each event.

NO. 7: SCHEDULE A SPA DAY Get mani-pedis, facials or even waxed with the entire “I do” crew to look and feel your best on the big day. This is also a great opportunity to catch up with fellow bridesmaids.

NO. 8: PREP FOR PICTURES Be the celebrant’s keeper of small items for touch-ups. This could include lipstick, extra eye makeup, blotting papers, the bride’s phone, mints and snacks!

IT’S AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO BE A BRIDESMAID. It means that you are an invaluable person to your friend or relative who’s getting married. You have impacted their life in a positive way and, whether you realize it or not, you have helped them find love by being a good companion. On the surface, this is a glam role in which you get to sip bubbly and play dress up. But you need to be aware of the small-print details beyond the fun of this job. Here are 10 tips to help you be the best bridesmaid.

NO. 9: BATHROOM BUDDY If your celebrant has a large dress or a long train, help hold the dress when needed: bathroom breaks, bustling the dress for the reception and outfit changes.

NO. 10: BRING THE ENERGY Set the mood and keep the party alive! This wedding is important to someone who means a lot to you, so maintain the good vibes and make it a day to remember.