TRADITONAL FUNCTIONS OF BRIDESMAID

Bridesmaids serve a functional as well as a ceremonial role in a wedding. Their tasks begin long before the wedding day since they often help the bride with planning and preparing for the big event. During the wedding, they are a highly visible participant of the ceremony. There are costs associated with being in the bridal party for which the bridesmaids are traditionally responsible. Therefore, being a bridesmaid entails a commitment of finances as well as time.

Planning Help

• Bridesmaids are the go-to friends and family members for the bride when she needs help with the wedding planning. This could entail visiting prospective sites, working on decorations, creating favors and addressing and mailing invitations. The bridesmaids traditionally serve as an extra pair of hands for the bride in accomplishing her wedding preparation tasks.

Pre-Wedding Events

• The bridesmaids serve as the hosts and planners for pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. This could mean footing the bill for the events or simply helping the bride's family to plan and decorate the functions.ie kitchen party, bridal shower,send off,bachelorate party etc

Ceremony

• The bridesmaids have a front and center role in the wedding ceremony. Often escorted by the groomsmen, they proceed down the aisle before the bride and remain at the front of the venue throughout the ceremony, lined up beside or behind the bride. The bridesmaids can also assist the bride with her dress during the ceremony by smoothing and fluffing the train and by bustling her dress for the reception. Bridesmaids are also expected to participate in the wedding receiving line following the ceremony as well as take a place in the wedding photos.

Purchases

• There are some costs associated with being a bridesmaid. The bridesmaids typically purchase their own dresses, shoes and accessories for the wedding, although the bride can opt to present them with these things as a gift if she is able. The bridesmaids are also expected to give the bride a gift at her bridal shower as well as at her wedding. The gifts can be individual or collective with one gift offered from all the bridesmaids