How to Be a Good Bridesmaid

Have you been asked to be a bridesmaid by one of your dear friends? If you've already said "yes", great! If you told her you'd have to think about it, that's okay, too. Either way, you should know your responsibilities and obligations as a bridesmaid. The bride will need your moral and emotional support in this stressful wedding planning phase, so make sure you can fulfill your obligations as a member of her wedding party.

Your first, and probably most important responsibility is to be emotionally supportive to the bride. Wedding planning is extremely stressful. Allow the bride to call upon you for favors and offer your help to her in whatever way you can. It is not uncommon for brides to ask their bridesmaids to help them stuff invitations, address mail, or run errands.

Offer honest advice and opinions when asked for them. However, remember that ultimately, it is the bride's day, and she gets to make the final decisions. You may hate the color of your dress, for instance, but if the bride wants you to wear that color, you may have to grit your teeth and bear with it.

You have an obligation to go bridesmaid dress shopping and wedding dress shopping with the bride. The bride will usually consider your input and likes in terms of deciding what style and color of dress you will wear for her ceremony. The bridesmaid dress is probably the most expensive part of being a bridesmaid. The bride may be able to get the bridesmaids in the wedding party a group discount, however, which will help lower the cost.

Another responsibility you have as a bridesmaid is planning a bridal shower for your friend. This should be a fun task. The most important thing to remember is to honor the bride's interests, likes, and tastes. Decorate in her favorite color. Make or order her favorite foods.

The bridesmaid or bridesmaids should pay for the bridal shower. Some bridesmaids even throw the bride a bachelorette party, which they should also pay for if they do so. These parties are a great opportunity for new friends and old friends to meet and get to know each other. In addition, it give you time to bond with the bride.