About to be a bridesmaid?
I've seen and worked with some absolutely amazing bridesmaids over the years. Some have gone on to be good friends and then I have shot their weddings too which is wonderful.
Some however have been no help to the bride whatsoever and were in my opinion, poorly chosen for the job.
And it IS a job. I've been bridesmaid myself 5 times and it's so much more than getting your hair done and wearing a pretty dress. It's an important day in your friends day and you are there to take the pressure off them and help when possible. So in this blog, I am going to be sharing some of my best tips for being the best bridesmaid.
If you are planning to wear those cute pyjama sets or dressing gowns while you are getting ready - get them ironed and on hangers otherwise they look horrendous in photos.
Get an emergency on the day kit ready:
Plasters, pain killers, extra hair pins, tissues, scissors [no one ever has a pair on a wedding morning] sewing kit with white cotton.
Any dress steaming needs to be done at least the night before - not on the day when you all have fresh make up on.
Photo taken at Norfolk Mead Hotel, Norfolk - UK.
There will be some nerves - so get some upbeat music on. Create a playlist of all their fave songs before the wedding and play it in the morning while you all get ready.
Pour some bubbles and keep a positive energy flowing. You have been chosen to be bridesmaid for a reason so just be yourself and have fun.
Photo taken at Pentney Abbey - Norfolk
If something has gone wrong but it cannot be fixed - keep it quiet.
I've seen bridesmaids screeching that a button loop is broken minutes before a bride walks down the aisle and then follow it up with "I'd be fuming if I'd spent that on a dress and it had broken before the ceremony". This is unhelpful and will only upset her.
If it's something small that can't be noticed and can't be fixed - say nothing. Your role on the day is to predominantly restore calm.
You can be such a great help during group photos.
You know their family and friends more than the photographer so helping to gather up the people for photos will mean they are done faster and your friend gets to enjoy their reception a lot quicker.
After the ceremony and photos you may be needed to help touch up make up before they go off for couples portraits and for endless dress lifting, floofing and general running to get things.
Also it is pretty difficult to pee in a wedding dress especially if it's a big dress. In most cases their new life partner will take over this role but be on hand anyway just in case.
be the calm in the storm
Things go wrong on wedding days and while its disappointing in the grand scheme of things you have to just get past it and deal with it afterwards.
I've seen second dresses break, cakes not turn up, bands arrive late due to a flat tyre, all sorts over the years.
So when a bride or groom is freaking out - you need to be the calm in the storm. You need to be the voice of reason and remind them this is a hiccup and won't ruin the day overall.
Photo taken at Abbey Hall in Suffolk, UK.
I hope you've found these tips useful.
More wedding blogs being added to my website regularly.
All venues listed where images were taken are tagged below.
