Everything You Need To Know About Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids serve a significant role in the wedding process.

They are there to assist, advise and support the bride through the whole operation.

Generally this is a sister of the bride or groom, a close friend or another close female relative.

Some of her duties might include:

* Shopping for bridesmaids dresses

Hosting a bridal shower

Hosting a bachelorette party

Helping out-of-town guests with travel arrangements

Helping with decorations

Making favors

Starting the dancing at the reception

Emotional support

Receiving guests at the reception

Addressing invitations

Helping with seating arrangements

Assisting with rehearsal dinner

Assisting bride with her dress and make-up

Getting the bride anything she needs before going down the aisle-like food or drink

Using any special talents they may have to help create a beautiful, low cost wedding

The size of your bridal party will depend on the size of the venue and it should also be appropriate to the number of guests you've invited.

In a formal wedding with 200 guests-having 10 bridesmaids would be in order. On the other hand, a casual wedding with 50 guests and a small alter would call for 1-3 bridesmaids.

But hey, remember this is your day, do what feels right to you.

Responsibilities of the maid-of-honor, the chief unmarried woman attendant of the bride or the matron-of-honor, the chief married woman attendant of the bride might include:

Holding grooms ring until given to the bride at the ceremony

Witnessing the signing of the marriage license

Keeping the brides bouquet during the ceremony

Giving a toast the bride at the reception mentioning things like: what the bride said about the groom when they first met, a story about growing up together, a funny habit of the bride that the groom may not know, words of advice or wishes for success, happiness or babies etc.

You don't have to accept the invitation to be one of the bridesmaids, but it's hard to say no, unless you have a really good reason. If money is tight-let the bride know, maybe the two of you can brainstorm a way to make it possible.

Some of the expenses you might incur are:

Gifts-engagement, shower, wedding

Travel expenses

Dress/shoes/accessories

Having your hair and nails done

Be one of the best bridesmaids in the world, the best you can be. No whining and complaining to the bride.

Help make her day as stress free as possible. Be punctual to all the functions, smile, help and socialize.

Click here for inexpensive ideas for attendant gifts

For online resources, click on:

www.bridesmaid101.com Bridesmaid and maid of honor information at your fingertips.