How to choose your bridesmaids and what are their duties?

The decision to have bridesmaids at your wedding is entirely up to you. A bridesmaid is not required and nowadays, it’s no longer always customary.

The history of the bridesmaid

The tradition originates from Roman law. In the past, bridesmaids always wore equally beautiful dresses in the same style as the wedding dress. They did this to mislead the spirits, making it unclear who the real bride was. Today, bridesmaids no longer wear the same as the bride. Usually, bridesmaids form a unity by wearing matching dresses or accessories.

Who do you ask as a bridesmaid?

Start by deciding how many bridesmaids you want at your wedding. You can choose two girls, but it could also be four or six. Keep in mind that the more bridesmaids you have, the more expensive it gets. For each girl, you’ll need to purchase a dress and shoes. First, check how much budget is available for bridesmaids. Then determine how much you would spend per bridesmaid. Once you’ve figured that out, you can decide how many you want. Most couples go for around three bridesmaids.

In the past, the bridesmaid was usually your daughter, son, niece or nephew. Nowadays, it’s also completely normal to ask your sister, friend or even male friend. A flower child is also an option, although they have different tasks compared to an adult bridesmaid.

Ways to ask your bridesmaids

Once you’ve chosen who your bridesmaids will be, you still have to ask them. Of course, you can just ask, but how fun is it to do it in a special way? Below are a few creative ideas:

A necklace with initials

Buy a personal gift to ask your bridesmaid. A necklace with her initials will always be appreciated and hold special meaning.

Pop me balloon

A pop-me balloon is a small box with a balloon inside. When you pop it, a message falls out with your question. You can write something personal here and ask her to be your bridesmaid.

Bottle of champagne or other drink

Is there a drink your bridesmaid really loves, or one you always drink together? Buy a bottle and create a nice label asking her to be your bridesmaid.

Of course, you can also just ask your bridesmaid without a gift. It’s about the gesture, not the present. She’ll likely already feel honored, so no need for extras unless you want to.

Duties of the bridesmaids

Your friends will be super excited that you’re getting married and will love to be part of the wedding. They’ll be honored if you choose them as bridesmaids. Your friends will always be there for you and will help make your day as perfect as possible. But that’s not their only job. Think about helping pick out your wedding dress or organizing your bachelorette party. On the day of the wedding, the bridesmaids help guide the guests to their seats, hold the doors, bring the rings, and scatter flower petals. They’ll also help the bride get into her dress.

It’s important that every bridesmaid has her own set of tasks so they know what to do and there’s no confusion.