The bride will call on her chief bridesmaid for help and support with everything from bridal flowers and invitations, to choosing wedding shoes and asking for ideas for table decorations as she plans for the big day.
Organising the Hen Night
The chief bridesmaid organises the Hen Night. This includes:
- choosing the right event
- finding the right venue
- inviting the right people
As this is the night that celebrates the last time the bride will meet with her friends as a single woman, the event is almost a rite of passage and will be remembered in the years that follow. There is a lot of pressure on the bridesmaid to get it right, but she can ask for help and advice from the bride's other friends.
Bridesmaid Duties On the Wedding Day
On the wedding day the bridesmaid helps the bride to get dressed. The wedding dress can be physically quite difficult to put on, and the emotions might be running high too. Often a hairdresser and makeup artist will be there at the same time and it is up to the chief bridesmaid to ensure that everything runs smoothly and on time.
The Wedding Ceremony
The bride’s mother and any other bridesmaids, flower girls, page boys and ring bearers travel to the ceremony with the chief bridesmaid who makes sure that everyone knows what to do and where to go.
Traditionally the bridesmaids walk down the aisle before the bride, taking their seats at the front. When the bride reaches the altar or ceremony table, she passes her bouquet to the chief bridesmaid who holds it until the end of the ceremony. She then passes it back to the bride who carries it as the couple walk together back down the aisle.
Bridesmaids and Wedding Readings
The couple may ask any of the bridesmaids to give a wedding reading during the wedding ceremony. This may be something the couple have chosen themselves, or a special wedding reading the bridesmaid finds herself.
Bridesmaid's Duties After the Wedding Ceremony
The bridal party must look their best for photographs and the chief bridesmaid should be ready with a comb and lipstick. This could be held by a friend during the ceremony. Some brides like to follow the tradition of throwing their bouquet and the chief bridesmaid would invite the female guests to gather together. When the bride throws the bouquet, the person who catches it, keeps it and hopes to be the next one to be married.
Bridesmaids at the Wedding Reception
The bridesmaids sit with the bride and groom and their families at the top table during the wedding reception. The chief bridesmaid keeps the conversation going and helps people to feel at ease.
Bridesmaid's Duties After the Wedding
The wedding dress and presents are the responsibility of the chief bridesmaid. She should arrange for them to be stored until the couple return from honeymoon. The parents of the couple might help with these.
Although it is a responsible position to be in, it’s also a great honour to be invited to be the chief bridesmaid and the whole event can be more enjoyable for the bride if the job is done well.
Elaine Walker - Elaine has written text for everything from information packs for hospitalsbrochures for foster-carersnewsletters for a ...
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