Now this post may ring as common sense for most people, but for those of us that are scheduled to be bridesmaids this coming year for the first time, it can be a bit of a rude awakening.
Personally, I had my first bridesmaid experience a year ago for a very close friend of mine. When we went to breakfast I didn’t bring any money, because I knew the groomsmen were getting their paid for, I assumed we were too. I was wrong. When the bride asked us to arrive at her home at 4:00 to “get ready”, I showed up at 4:00, hair still wet from the shower, only to find my fellow bridesmaid all looking gorgeous; dressed donned, makeup and hair done. The term “getting ready” was for the bride. I was clueless.
So here are some things to keep you from landing yourself in a similar situation as a first time bridesmaid.
1.) Bring lots of money. Folks, being a bridesmaid isn’t cheap; you often pay for your dress, your shoes, your travel expenses and to get your hair and makeup done by a professional. Even if you think you can do it yourself, if the bride wants your makeup professionally done, it’s up to you to pay for it. And we haven’t even started including things like the wedding gift and food for the weekend. If you’re a bridesmaid, save up some cash.
2.) You’re not there as a guest, but as an employee. It is your job to help make sure the bride’s Great-Grandmother makes it back to her hotel in one piece, and if needs someone to hold her up to see the cake cutting during the reception, than damnit get over there and give her a shoulder to lean on. This is the bride and groom’s day, and the reason you are in their bridal party is because they consider you one of their best friends as well as someone that can help make sure their big day runs as smoothly as possible. If the bride runs out of tiny paper serving plates, stop dancing and get your ass to the store to pick some up. The bride and the groom should be enjoying themselves, not running out to get more paper serving plates.
3.) The Maid of Honor is your boss. This you will just have to accept. The Maid of Honor is the bride’s right hand lady, so if she needs something done, do it, and don’t argue. Chances are, she’s had to put just as much time and effort into this wedding as the bride has herself, so don’t cross her; she’s got a lot of responsibility riding on her shoulders.