Bridesmaids duties

Being a bridesmaid is a special honor. You have been chosen to stand by your best friend on one of the most important days of her life. Congratulations! The bride values your friendship and sees you as her most reliable, positive, and supportive friend, someone who brings the energy she wants around her. She trusts that you will help create a fun, uplifting, and stress-free atmosphere both leading up to her wedding and on her big day.

I know firsthand, having been a bride myself, how stressful the journey can feel. The hardest parts were not always the big things, but the constant juggling: aligning schedules with friends, keeping up with deadlines, planning events, balancing everyone’s opinions, and facing the sting of declined RSVPs. Add in endless DIY projects, making dress appointments, and hearing conflicting advice, and it can feel overwhelming. That is why your presence matters so much.

Each time you laugh together, plan events, or shop for dresses, you are not just checking off a to-do, you are strengthening your bond and creating memories that will last long after the wedding day. Embrace your role and be the friend who keeps spirits high, brings encouragement, and reminds the bride she is deeply loved and supported.

Cheers to you. Every time you show up and encourage, you are giving her the gift of peace, joy, and connection. When she looks back on her wedding day, she will remember the photos and the videos, but most importantly, the feelings tied to the moments shared with you. So do not be the bridesmaid glued to her phone. Be present, engaged, and her biggest cheerleader.

bridesmaids helping the bride on wedding day

 

Bridesmaids’ Duties Before the Wedding

Being a bridesmaid is about more than just showing up on the wedding day. Your love, energy, and support in the months leading up to the celebration will make the journey special. Here’s how you can help:

  • Be available for dress shopping & fittings – Make time to join the bride at her bridal gown appointments, and be on time for your own bridesmaid dress fittings and ordering deadlines. If you can’t make it, ask to be dialed in virtually or get updates on photos during the process so you feel connected.

  • Help plan pre-wedding events – From the bridal shower to the bachelorette party, your ideas and energy matter. Collaborate with the maid of honor and other bridesmaids to plan memorable celebrations. Communicate in the group text and ask the bride if she has any requests!

  • Offer emotional support – Wedding planning can be overwhelming. Sometimes the bride just needs a venting session or reassurance that everything will come together. Sending a quick text, “How is wedding planning going? I am here for you.”

  • Assist with DIY or wedding tasks – Whether it’s stuffing invitations, tying favors, or creating décor, lending a hand means the world. Seriously, you would be giving her hours back in her busy schedule just by dedicating time with her to tackle some creative or easy/mundane wedding tasks. Put it on the calendar, bring her favorite drink or treat of choice, start a vibey playlist, and get to work.

 

fun bridesmaids getting ready

 

Bridesmaids’ Duties on the Wedding Day

This is the big moment! The bride will be counting on you to keep things stress-free and joyful. Here’s what you can do:

  • Arrive on time, ready to go – Ask for the hair, makeup, and photographer schedule. Show up at least 15 minutes early with everything you need: your dress, accessories, shoes, and a positive attitude.

  • Help the bride get ready – From steaming the veil to fixing a lipstick smudge or recurling a loose hair piece, your little efforts will make a huge difference. If you start to notice this before or during photos, say something and have the touch-up kit handy!

  • Be a point of contact – Shield the bride from last-minute stress by answering vendor or family questions so she can relax.

  • Keep the energy fun and lighthearted – Crack jokes, play music, and create a vibe that keeps nerves at bay. Ask her, “How are you feeling?”

  • Look out for the bride’s comfort – Make sure she eats, stays hydrated, and takes breaks when needed. Having a water bottle, touch-up kit, tissues, and a snack on deck will make her feel cared for.

  • Behind the scenes content – It’s often said that you don’t fully appreciate the value of a moment until it’s gone. Please make sure to have the bride’s phone readily available to record behind-the-scenes moments and conduct interviews with her, her partner, and their friends. This way, she will have something to look back on that brings her joy for years to come.

 

maid of honor on wedding day helping bride

Maid of Honor: Extra Duties

If you’ve been chosen as maid of honor, congratulations! That means the bride sees you as her #1 go-to. You’ll do everything listed above plus a few extra responsibilities:

  • Take the lead on planning – Coordinate the bridal shower and bachelorette party with input from the bride and bridesmaids. First, ask the bride if she has any requests!

  • Give a toast or speech – Prepare a heartfelt (or funny!) speech for the reception.

  • Be the bride’s right hand – Handle the timeline, keep the bridal party organized, and be ready for any emergencies (safety pins, tissues, breath mints—yes, they’ll thank you).

  • Hold the bride’s bouquet & train – During the ceremony, help with fluffing her train and hold her bouquet when needed. After the ceremony, you can assist with bunding the train to the dress. So, it’s important to have a video from the seamstress handy to learn how to do this.

  • Keep calm in stressful moments – Your steady presence will be her anchor if something unexpected comes up. Holding her hands and reminding her to take a few deep breaths goes a long way in calming her down.

 

Final Thoughts

Being a bridesmaid or maid of honor isn’t just about the dress or the photos. It’s about a once-in-a-lifetime friendship that was built on support and love. Your presence and effort will help the bride feel cared for, cherished, and celebrated. When she looks back on her wedding day, she’ll remember not just the vows or the décor, but how you made her feel.

So show up fully. Laugh often. Dance hard. And be the reason her day feels like the fairytale she always dreamed of.

I can't wait to learn more about what you are planning - xo Miranda Suess

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