| ding is a celebration of love between two people | | | | wearing herself. If she chooses a long elaborate |
| and coming together of loved ones, friends and | | | | gown, then you will properly be in something |
| family. It’s also one of the most stressful | | | | similar. If, however she decides to marry in a |
| experiences for all those involved and the | | | | shorter, simpler style, then it would look stupid if |
| Bridesmaids certainly don’t get let off | | | | she made you put on a bright orange number |
| lightly! You may not have the almighty stress of | | | | with frills (which would be tragic but more than |
| preparing the funniest speech ever - like the poor | | | | anything, absolutely no good whatsoever if you're |
| Best Man - but you will certainly shoulder any | | | | still single and hoping to get off with the best |
| worries the bride may have about her big day, | | | | man). Remember to make time for dress fittings |
| and theres no getting away form the fact that | | | | and to be as flexible with your time as you can. |
| the bride has probably been dreaming about this | | | | This will ease the stress away from the Bride |
| moment (and planning it in her head!) for most of | | | | herself and hopefully make the whole experience |
| her life. I'm sure i wasn't alone in the 'playing | | | | a fun one! As chief Bridesmaid, you should |
| pretend' stakes when i used my mum's tablecloth | | | | co-ordinate the other Bridesmaids and make the |
| as a veil along with her new high heels whilst | | | | arrangements for the fittings. All the Bridesmaids |
| trying to squeeze into my old bridesmaid dress i | | | | should meet up at least once before the wedding |
| wore 2 years earlier (complete with rips and food | | | | day, and you should take the lead in organising it. |
| stains). Trotting around pretending you're getting | | | | This is where the biggest event of any wedding |
| married will always be a fabulous past time for | | | | comes into play! Yes, you guessed it..... the Hen |
| any 5 year old i'm sure but when the real day | | | | Weekend!!! |
| draws close, it isn't all so much hearts and flowers | | | | As chief Bridesmaid, it's your job to organise the |
| as stress and tears... | | | | Bride's Hen Night, Hen Weekend, final-fling party or |
| Brides tend to forget that while they're 100% | | | | whatever you want to call it, before she |
| committed in planning their wedding, the rest of | | | | becomes a married woman. It doesn't have to be |
| the world isn't, which as a statement, would be | | | | all L-plates and Firemen, (unless that's what turns |
| foolish to mention to the intended bride as she | | | | you on). It's a good idea to speak to the |
| really thinks otherwise. Try your best to be | | | | bride-to-be (BTB) as soon as possible to swap |
| enthusiastic and inquisitive (even if you're bored | | | | idea's and come to some sort of agreement as |
| senseless by the ongoing saga), remember that | | | | to what she constitutes a fabulous Hen Night or |
| this is an exciting time for some and one day it | | | | Hen weekend experience. The BTB will more than |
| may be your turn! | | | | likely have planned this part of the wedding (in her |
| If you have been lucky enough (or unlucky | | | | head) as well, so the only problem you will have is |
| enough in some cases) to be chosen as a | | | | making sure you can get everyone together and |
| bridesmaid for your best friend or family | | | | collect up all the money from the party |
| member, a few tips are necessary to help guide | | | | beforehand. This can prove to be incredibly |
| you through this auspicious occassion. A | | | | stressfull and near on impossible if you don't get |
| Bridesmaid has many functions, but first and | | | | the full cooperation of everybody intending to go |
| foremost you are there to make the bride happy | | | | on the Hen Weekend! It's advisable to book with |
| and give her a helping hand with the planning. You | | | | a reputable company who will take all the stress |
| should be on hand to help with any small problems | | | | out of planning for you and will act as a third |
| that may arise and offer a shoulder to cry on | | | | party between you and the other members of |
| when the bigger problems present themselves. | | | | the party. This is made easy when you can e mail |
| Offering advice is always a good thing, however, | | | | everyone the package you have booked and |
| critising the brides decisions may not be a | | | | they can ring up and make payment instead of |
| welcoming gesture and will only add to her | | | | you having to get evryone together to collect |
| anxiety and stress (and will possibly get you | | | | little bits of money here and there! |
| booted out of the ceremony altogether). | | | | Finally, you need to be looking your best and at |
| Bridesmaids usually wear outfits chosen by the | | | | the brides beck and call on her big day. It's your |
| bride. In many cases, the bride would not | | | | job to make sure her veil isn't wonky, her dress |
| intentionally want to humiliate her close friend or | | | | isn't caught in any doors, or god forbid, her |
| family member by putting them in an absolutely | | | | knickers! You need to also make sure the bride is |
| hideous outfit. However, it is the brides decision at | | | | looking her best too so lip gloss or lipstick is |
| the end of the day and although your thoughts | | | | always an essential incase the blushing bride needs |
| will again be welcome, they will also need to be | | | | a top up before the photgraphs are taken. |
| censored for arguements sake of upsetting the | | | | Organising the other or much smaller bridesmaids |
| bride. | | | | or page boys will be an important part of your |
| Traditionally, bridesmaids dresses are paid for by | | | | duties carried out on the big day as well, so have |
| the Bridesmaids (unlucky, especially when the | | | | a carefully constructed plan or where everyone |
| style is more often than not, the brides choice!) | | | | needs to be standing, in place, to save on any |
| Thankfully nowadays payment is normally shared | | | | drama's later on. |
| between you and the bride or sometimes even | | | | Mainly, have fun and know your alcohol limits! No |
| paid for by her dad. | | | | one wants to wake up the next morning with |
| Once you add up the cost of the shoes, makeup, | | | | horrific visions of the chief bridesmaid with her |
| dresses, accessories, not to mention the | | | | dress around her ears swigging shots like there's |
| Champagne, it can be an expensive business!! The | | | | no tomorrow with eyeliner smudged around her |
| bride's choice of Bridesmaids' dresses will depend | | | | face and sick stains on her fabulous and |
| on several factors, most importantly what she is | | | | expensive bridesmaids dress! |