Search the internet or read any magazine and you find literally thousands of articles on how to be the world’s best bridesmaid, what to do, when to do it, how to behave and how to support your friend as her big day approaches. While these articles all make very good and relevant points, it is often overlooked the role the bride plays in keeping her bridesmaids happy and excited to be part of your big day. After all, happy and excited bridesmaids will bring an unbridled energy to all the planning that needs to take place to make your wedding day a reality.
We can’t all be Katherine Heigl and be a bridesmaid 27 times; being asked to be a bridesmaid is one of those special moments that only happens once or twice in every girl’s life. Apart from being a scare occurrence, being an important part of her bff’s wedding day and being involved in all the planning for the big day is something that should be truly cherished and enjoyed. What every girl does not however wish or dream of is the nightmare their beloved friend and bride-to-be can sometimes put them through. Here are a few tips to be the best bride to your retinue and how to consider everyone.
Set realistic expectations Often brides expect her bridesmaids to have the same focus, excitement and dedication to her wedding day as she does. While your bridesmaids should give their friend as much attention as possible, always keep in mind they have their own lives, jobs and families. Don’t expect them to be available 24/7 and to sacrifice their lives for you.
Don’t expect them to lose weight for your wedding day (or change their appearance) Hopefully, you chose your bridesmaids because they mean something to you and not on their looks, body shape or weight. Don’t ever expect your bridesmaids to change their appearance for your wedding day. If you do, there is a good chance you will be losing a bridesmaid (and a friend) before they lose any weight.
Having said that, if you are concerned about the above but still want the person to be part of your wedding day, we suggest focusing on hair, makeup and most importantly the dress (which we cover below).
Don’t expect a yes woman You want your bridesmaids to be honest, so don’t expect them to agree to every idea you come up or every word you say. Remember you have asked them to be bridesmaids because of who they are and the role they play in your life, so their honest opinion is extremely important, especially when they are helping you chose something as important as a wedding dress.
Money, money, money This is often a stumbling point and one that doesn’t get spoken about until there is a problem. Times are tough and it has become more common for bridesmaids to pay for their own hair, makeup, dress, etc. This should be discussed early on so that the budget of each bridesmaid can be considered.
Tip: Consider thanking your bridesmaids by gifting them their accessories or hair and makeup so that there is one less thing they need to add to their budgets.
Choose the right dress There is nothing worse than trying to squeeze 5 different body shapes into one pretty style. You also want to choose something that suits all the girls and makes them feel as confident as possible. But how do you choose? Here are a few tips to help you choose the best option for your girls.
Fit/Style The days of bridesmaids all wearing the exactly same style and colour are long gone. We suggest allowing your bridesmaids to wear different styles to better suit their body types. Also consider giving them some flexibility in colour choice by allowing them to choose colours in the same colour palette which better suits them.
Colours There are so many fun trends at the moment. Florals are a great way to bring in some fun and great a casual Bohemian look. Pastels, believe it or not, are still a great trend and one that always looks stunning in photos. More neutral colours like sands and greys are a beautiful choice for a more natural wedding. Metallic and sequence are perfect if you want to glam your ladies up and make them feel sexy. Consider your theme and overall tone when making your colour choice.
Cost As mentioned above, when there is an expectation that your bridesmaids will pay for their own dresses keep in mind the price of the dress (even if you are paying for it yourself). Look for suppliers/designers who offer affordable dresses but still offer you the look and quality you are after.
At the end of the day, having happy bridesmaids can only add to your wedding day. By having your closest friends excited and involved in the everyday planning and coordinating of your wedding day, it will take huge amounts of pressure off you and fiancée ensuring you enjoy the journey to your big day.
