How To Be A Perfect Bridesmaid

Woman all over the world have waited their whole lives to be asked the special question.... "Will you be my bridesmaid?"

The answer to this question seems easy enough, right? "Yes".  It's such a simple word to say. But what happens after that? What happens when you've officially become a member of the wedding party? That's a bit more complicated. Luckily, you are currently reading the blog that will help you be the BEST bridesmaid of all time!

1. Say "Yes" after you say "Yes":  One of the most important things about being a bridesmaid is saying "yes" after you've said "yes".  A wedding is the most important day of most women's lives, and she has asked YOU to be a part of her's!  That means that she trusts you to help her make this day the best it can be. The best way to do that, is to say "yes" as much as possible. If she asks you to do something, you say yes. If she asks if you like her decorations, you say yes. If she asks you if you like the cake she picked out, you say yes. The day will not be the best it can be if the bride doesn't like it. So even if you think her flowers clash with the linens, or the cake is too tall, if she likes it, tell her you like it too.

2. Remember this day is not about you. Being a bridesmaid is a wonderful honor. It means that this human being loves you so much she wants you to be a part of HER day! And that's what you have to remember. This. is. HER. day. If she asks for your opinion, don't base your answers on what you like. Instead, look at them from the bride's point of view and give her the answer you think will make her the happiest. As a bridesmaid, your opinion is the bride's opinion.

3. Make sure she understands the day is about her. Brides are under pressure from everyone and everything. Will Grandma like the ceremony? Will Dad like the suit? Should we invite Great-Aunt Susan she's only met once? These are just some of the stresses that come with a wedding, and the best thing you can do is remind the bride who's opinions really matter. Do the bride and groom like the ceremony? Then that's the ceremony. Do the bride and groom like the suits? Then those are the suits. Do the bride and groom want Great-Aunt Susan there? Then Great-Aunt Susan stays home. The idea that a bride has to make everyone happy is a fallacy. This day is not about Grandma, Dad, or Great-Aunt Susan. It's about the bride and the groom, and they need reminded of this constantly.

4. Do not complain. Obviously, there are limits to what a bride should ask her bridal party to do. Should a bride ask all of her bridesmaids to be a size 8 by her wedding day? Probably not. Should a bride ask her bridesmaids to help with set up? Absolutely. I'm going to say it again because I cannot stress this enough. This is HER day. Do you want her to look back on her wedding day and think about how much work she had to do because no one helped her? Of course not! Do you want her to look back on her wedding day and think about how much her bridesmaids complained about the amount of work they had to do? Of course not! A bridesmaid's #1 job is to make the day as enjoyable and easy as possible for the bride.

5. Do NOT tell her if problems occur the day of her wedding! Brides are stressed and freaked out enough. If there is a problem with the cake, or decorations, or tuxes, do not tell the bride unless it's A) Unfixable,  B) Already fixed, or  C) Don't tell her at all. This might not sound like the best advice, but trust me, it's VERY important. She will stress about it all day and all night, and it will likely not even be a big problem. If there isn't a wedding coordinator there, take care of the problem yourself or find someone who can manage the issue for you. What the bride doesn't know will, very likely, not kill her. She probably won't even notice if something wasn't exactly how she imagined.

This day may not be about you, but you do have a very important job. Make the bride happy. Follow these 5 simple steps and you will be the best bridesmaid ever!