I'M GOING TO BE A BRIDESMAID!

I have some exciting news to share... I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in November along with 7 others, that's right SEVEN,  big wedding! I've been a bridesmaid twice in the past (admittedly both quite a while back) and also work at a hotel part time which hosts 2/3 weddings every weekend so feel like I understand the general running of the typical wedding day so hopefully this will help me out in November. As it's been a while- I better dust off my best aisle walk and polish up on small talk for the big day. This wedding is going to be very big, very busy and very beautiful.

The date is November 19th and I'm praying for snow, imagine the perfect white wedding! It is a church marriage then onto a 200+ room hotel for the reception and evening-do. By far the most nerve racking part for me will be in the church, I am the first to walk down the aisle along with the only flower girl so all eyes will be focused our way. This I am not excited about and any of you who know me will know I'm one of the most naturally clumsy people going. Here's hoping I don't trip in front of a church full of people who will either:
A. be in my life forever and remind me endlessly of my embarrassment with photos and videos
or
B. have never met me and be presented with this moment as their first impression...

Anyway, lets not dwell on the horror that could become all too real on the day, but instead think up a helpful and handy list all bridesmaids should read prior to the wedding planning beginning (I love lists).

All Things Bridesmaids Should Know, Have and Do

1. Help to dress shop - for bridesmaids dresses and bridal gowns! Attending shopping trips for dress hunting, appointments for alterations and final fittings closer to the date can be tiring and time consuming but are very important dates for the diary you need to allow for.

2. Try and remember guests names and make small talk with them (drunk or not!) You are a representative of the bride and as she will be busy 99.9% of the day, help her out by giving guests attention, strangers included.

3. That takes me onto this point: try and stay as sober as possible not to humiliate yourself, the bride or anyone else, but also drink enough so that you dance all night and fill up the dance floor constantly.

4. Be prepared to help with the final details, colour scheme, flowers, decor, timings etc. This may be long winded but the bride will value and appreciate the time and effort you make.

5. Toilet duty! Hold the bride's dress and stand in the toilet with her - no complaining...

6. The bride is bound to be a bundle of nerves both leading up to and on the big day. You and any other members of the bridal party are there for support and you must remind her she is making the right decision and running off and leaving him at the alter isn't the best plan (not always anyway).

7. Carry tissues, lipstick, concealer and gum with you. You never know when things could get emotional and you need to be able to clean yourself up quickly as photos will be being taken from all angles, all day. You will also be meeting a lot of people so keep your manners in check and make the bride thankful she chose you, use gum and even hand sanitizer if you're going to be the social butterfly for the day by getting round as many guests as possible.

8. Gifting the new happy couple is important as a bridesmaid in wishing them all the best and setting them in good stead for their future. You could take the easy option and offer to pay for something towards the wedding as a token gesture and early gift or you could be like me and make everything 10x more difficult for yourself by leaving those opportunities to pass you by and be stuck thinking up different ideas to top the 'regular' guests presents. Oh the wedding politics!

9. Both the bride and bridesmaids need to discuss the hair, make up and nails for the day. Obviously all the bridesmaids can't be totally different, but never the less should still be sporting their own style within reason. This is where the bride comes in, she has to A-OK every detail as of course its her big day. Also, as a bridesmaid, be financially ready for this! I know a lot of brides now pay for most of the treatments bridesmaids have as part of the 'package deal' but if not, get saving. Hair, make up, nails and tanning isn't cheap, especially if you are having trial runs prior to the day.

10. This is the biggest and best yet: the HEN-DO/BRIDAL SHOWER/BACHELORETTE party!! You and the other bridesmaids must organise and host the most outstanding celebration of the bride's final moments of 'single' life that she will remember and cherish forever. Think themes, costumes, location, invites, surprises, cocktails, clubs etc. etc. We have actually already planned, paid for and prepared for this (OCTOBER 7th-9th) but I will be writing a whole separate blog post on this afterwards!!

Have you ever been a bridesmaid? Are you going to be? Do you have any helpful advice? Let me know!


Until next time, Toni. xo