Weddings are meant to be the joyous celebration of love and commitment between two individuals. However, sometimes the planning, budgeting and all that surrounds a wedding can put a haze over that happy image. Part of the responsibility that comes with being asked to stand in a bridal party is lessoning the stress by lending a hand and celebrating the couple as much as possible.
With that being said, being a member of a bridal party can have its complications. Bridesmaids and groomsmen may not know each other and might have different styles and opinions. Even with those differences, attendants must remember the reason why they are in the bridal party to begin with: their friendship.
Recently, I was asked to be in my friend’s wedding. The group of women my friend chose as her bridesmaids are very successful in interconnecting and completing our task list for our best friend’s wedding.
While we are not perfect –because no one or group of people is– our execution holds some key elements for success, so I thought I’d share a few tips from our group.
Group meetings are important
- One person cannot do everything and that holds true with a bridal party. One person – or the Maid of Honor – cannot and should not be responsible for doing and planning everything. Having group meetings gives everyone a chance to meet face-to-face, which eliminates reading text-talk or emails incorrectly, while also allowing everyone to have their chance to give input. These meetings can be great for deciding dates and times of events, as well as organizing all of the tasks for each event and finalizing details. You can also make this a time to bond with the other bridesmaids. Meet at a quaint cafe or your favorite wine bar. It doesn't have to be all business.
Stick with a budget
- Money can be an issue for any time in a person’s life, even more so during a wedding. It’s good to remember these things when planning engagement parties, showers or couples events for the wedding. Because you may have a certain amount in your budget to give and spend, that doesn’t mean every bridesmaid will have that amount as well. It’s about celebrating the couple and not how much you can spend.
- Remember the bride and groom
- This is definitely important for a bridal party to remember. In the end, it’s not about you and it’s not about your likes or dislikes. If you want to have an Asian themed engagement party with all authentic food, but your friends have a rice allergy, can’t eat raw fish or just don’t want a theme, then that’s not the way to go. Think of the likes and dislikes of the couple. What are their favorite foods? Do they like to vacation anywhere in particular, such as Hawaii for a luau theme?
- It’s not personal
- If your theme for the shower or your pick for food wasn’t chosen, it’s not personal. Remember to listen to everyone’s opinions and then decide the best option that sticks with the favorites of the couple. As a fellow bridal party member, remember to be respectful and know that you all have a common goal, to make this time special for your friend.
Of course there are a million ways to make a bridal party a success. It is much easier when the bridal party is all friends. But, that may not always be the case and adjustments will have to be made. Just remember this is time is a fun and special occasion to celebrate your friends and all will turn out just fine.
