Roles of Bridesmaids Explained: 25 Bridesmaid Duties

Your bestie has asked you the question you’ve been waiting for… ‘Will you be my bridesmaid?’ It’s a huge honour, as well as an opportunity to create lasting memories with your closest friend. But aside from the fabulous title, what do the roles of bridesmaids comprise? And what are the associated duties of bridesmaids?

The roles of bridesmaids, or a maid of honour, is about so much more than looking good in photos. From planning pre-wedding events to ensuring the big day runs smoothly, the responsibilities of bridesmaids are both varied and meaningful. Whether you're assisting with DIY projects, planning the hen do, or simply being a calming presence, you’ll play a pivotal part in the couple’s celebration.

The tradition of having bridesmaids dates back centuries, going back as far as ancient Roman times. Over the years, this cherished role has evolved significantly, blending time-honoured customs with contemporary twists.

We've broken down the role of a bridesmaid below:

• What are a bridesmaid's duties?
• Pre-wedding tasks for bridesmaids
• Bridesmaid duties on the wedding day
• Bridesmaid role after the wedding
• What is the role of a bridesmaid?
• What is the role of a chief bridesmaid?

While traditional expectations often set the foundation, the duties and responsibilities of a bridesmaid today are as unique as the couple and their vision for the wedding. Ultimately, the roles of bridesmaids will be shaped by the couple’s specific requests and their individual approach to planning their special day

For some, this may include a strictly traditional list of bridesmaid duties, while others may opt for a more relaxed approach. Increasingly, couples are choosing to include a bridesman or bridesmate in their wedding party – a refreshing way to involve close friends or family members regardless of gender.

Whether you're organising the hen party, assisting with wedding prep, or simply being there to support your friend, the essence of your role remains the same: making the day unforgettable.

To help you excel in your role, we’ve created this ultimate guide to the duties of bridesmaids and maid of honour responsibilities, complete with bonus tips to help you be the best bridesmaid ever.

What Are a Bridesmaid’s Duties?

If you're wondering ‘What does a bridesmaid do?’ the answer really depends on the couple's needs. While some couples prefer a traditional approach, others may opt for modern or relaxed interpretations of the role of a bridesmaid on the wedding day and beyond.

That said, there are some universal bridesmaid responsibilities to expect:

• Supporting the nearlyweds emotionally during the wedding planning process.
• Assisting with pre-wedding events like the hen party or bridal shower.
• Helping with practical tasks such as setting up the venue or managing RSVPs.
• Ensuring the couple feels loved and celebrated during the wedding day.
• Providing post-wedding support, like returning rentals or helping with thank-you notes.

Roles of Bridesmaids: Pre-Wedding

1. Celebrate the Engagement

Once you’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid, one of your first responsibilities is to celebrate with the couple! You can help them to organise their engagement party, if they want one. You could kick things off with a toast to their love! This is your first opportunity to show how much you care, be it at a low key party at home, out at a fancy bar or a chic venue.

• Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to bond with other members of the bridal party and discuss how hands-on you’ll be in your new bridesmaid role.

2. Establish Financial Responsibilities

While chatting about cash and budgets isn’t glamorous (nor is it always comfortable), it is essential to do it early on. Clarify who’s covering costs for bridesmaid attire, shoes, accessories and beauty services. The roles of bridesmaids often involves striking a balance between tradition and practicality, so approach the conversation with kindness and an open mind.

• Pro Tip: If they are paying for certain elements, discuss if they have a set figure in mind? If they would like you to contribute, tell them how much is realistic.

3. Go Shopping: Bridesmaid Dresses

It’s time to unleash your inner stylist as you accompany the bride and your fellow bridesmaids to find the perfect outfits. This element of the roles of bridesmaids is a tricky one, as you want to ensure the bride is happy with what’s chosen and that everyone feels comfortable in what they are being asked to wear.

• Pro Tip: Offer positive feedback, stay open-minded and help ensure the group’s look complements the bride’s vision. You’ll also get brownie points if you can help to organise and schedule the whole crew to fittings and appointments without any drama!

4. Attend Bridal Fittings

As well as shopping for your own outfit, you need to be on hand to help your bestie find their dream ensemble. Here, the roles of bridesmaids is to provide moral support and an extra set of eyes during fittings. You have to be kind, and remember, this isn’t about what you like, it is about what they like and feel comfortable in.

• Pro Tip: Offer constructive but kind feedback – the key here is to ensure the bride feels confident and beautiful.

5. Help With Invitations

A really practical job you may be asked to help with – stuffing envelopes and writing out addresses! It’s a really crucial part of the duties of bridesmaids, and will really help the couple to make sure they haven’t missed anyone out, and that they get the invitations out on time.

• Pro Tip: You can make it a fun job – grab some drinks and snacks, and put a fun wedding film on to get everyone in the mood!

6. Assist With Wedding Planning Tasks

As well as the invitations, your bridesmaid responsibilities may also include showing off your skills as a DIY guru, a spreadsheet wizard, or a creative idea generator! You may be called upon to help with crafting wedding favours, collating RSVPs, vetting vendors or even checking out different venues.

• Pro Tip: It’s all about pitching in where your skills shine while letting the couple take the lead.

7. Plan the Hen Party

Okay… So this is where the fun really starts. Possibly one of the most hectic, but fun, elements of the roles of bridesmaids is to become a party planner extraordinaire! Get a list from the bride of who she would like to invite, and work with the bridal party to organise an unforgettable hen do that reflects the bride’s personality.

• Pro Tip: Whether it’s a night out dancing, a serene spa weekend or even a sunny break abroad, here, the role of a bridesmaid is to make it special, memorable and most importantly, stress-free (for the bride, not you, sorry!).

8. Organise Accessories

So the outfits have been bought, but what about accessories? Here, the role of a bridesmaid is to pay attention to the details – make sure everyone’s accessories, including shoes, jewellery or hairpieces, match the overall theme. And that the bride is aware of what everyone is wearing.

• Pro Tip: Start a group chat to share updates and ensure everyone’s on the same page.

9. Coordinate Bridesmaid Gifts

While it is not essential, it may be a really lovely gesture to not surprise the bride with a heartfelt gift from the bridal party? This could be a scrapbook of memories or photos, or a personalised keepsake.

• Pro Tip: If you think the bride may find this overwhelming on the big day, present it to them at the hen do.

10. Prepare for the Big Day

Here is where the serious tasks really start! Double-check travel plans for yourself and the bridal party, and coordinate schedules. Your role is to keep the pre-wedding chaos to a minimum and the excitement to the max.

• Pro Tip: It’s a great idea to pack a wedding day emergency kit (think safety pins, plasters, paracetamol, mini sewing kit, etc)

Roles of Bridesmaids: On the Day

11. Get Ready With the Bride

This is the time to strike the balance between keeping the bride calm and getting her excited for the celebration to come. It’s time to don your glam gear! Assist the bride with hair, makeup, and getting into her dress. Make sure everyone has something to eat, and plenty of water!

• Pro Tip: It would be lovely to snap some behind-the-scenes photos to capture these candid, heartfelt moments.

12. Walk Down the Aisle

One of the most symbolic duties of bridesmaids is walking down the aisle. Whether it’s the traditional order or a modern twist, you’ll set the tone for the ceremony.

• Pro Tip: Make sure you know the order everyone is walking in, and out, you could even assign numbers if this makes it easier!

13. Assist With Ceremony Tasks

From handing out programmes to guiding guests, the role of a bridesmaid on the wedding day might include some hands-on tasks. Be the smiling face that ensures everything flows seamlessly.

• Pro Tip: Make sure someone has been assigned to take the bouquet from the bride during the ceremony while the vows and ring exchanges happen.

14. Deliver a Reading or Toast

Not everyone loves public speaking, but it is often something that comes with the roles of bridesmaids. If you have been asked to read from the bible, a poem or a romantic passage, you will have had plenty of time to practise. Remember, nobody is judging you, they will just be enjoying your heartfelt words.

• Pro Tip: Whether it’s a reading during the ceremony or a toast at the reception, embrace the moment to share your love and support.

15. Coordinate Photos

Wrangle the wedding party for group shots and help ensure the photographer captures all the important moments. Think of it as a very glamorous take on sheep herding – round people up and keep them in one place!

• Pro Tip: Make sure you have created a list of who needs to be in which photos ahead of the day. This is not a one person task, so try and get a pal to assist you.

16. Support the Couple

This is one of the most important, but most stressful days of the couples lives. So, they will be leaning on you to offer emotional support. Be kind and reassuring, don’t let them catastrophize – keep them calm and focused. From quick pep talks to practical fixes, your support will be invaluable throughout the day.

• Pro Tip: If you feel the couple is stressed, encourage them to go and have some private time together to chill for 20 minutes, while you and the bridal party solve any issues.

17. Manage the Dress

Bustle the train, adjust the veil, or tackle any emergency spills. Your bridesmaid responsibilities include making sure the bride’s dress looks flawless from start to finish.

• Pro Tip: While you are at the bridal dress fitting appointments, get the experts to teach you how to make adjustments – and get their tips on stain removal etc.

18. Host a Table

If you’re seated at a guest table, consider yourself the life of the party! Engage with guests, answer questions, and ensure everyone is having a fantastic time.

• Pro Tip: This is the time to make a fun bet on ‘how long will the speeches last’ or 'who will cry first'!

19. Encourage Participation

Once the party has started, the roles of bridesmaids is to make sure everyone is having a great time. Be the first one on the dancefloor, hype up the bouquet toss, do the conga!

• Pro Tip: Your energy will help to set the tone for the celebration, so make sure you have your dancing shoes on.

20. Oversee Logistics

Inevitably, on the day there will be some troubleshooting required on the day. Think misplaced items, late arrivals or even a guest missed from the table plan. Your ability to stay cool under pressure will keep things running smoothly.

• Pro Tip: Make sure you know the venue coordinator or wedding planner who will help you to resolve any problems.

Roles of Bridesmaids: After the Wedding

21. Help Clean Up

Here, the roles of bridesmaids is to roll up your sleeves and help tidy up the venue. This may be anything from collecting decorations to organising leftover cake. If the couple has any rented items, such as suits or decor, ensure they’re returned on time (make a list in advance).

• Pro Tip: Safely organise wedding gifts and cards so the couple can enjoy opening them without stress.

Bridesmaid Role After the Wedding

22. Organise Photos

As a nice treat for the couple, you could create a shared digital album and ask guests to add their photos from the big day to it. These candid shots from guests will be a huge source of joy and fun for the couple.

• Pro Tip: If you can keep this secret, it’s a nice thing to share with the couple – or print as a photobook – for when they return from honeymoon.

23. Help Write Thank-You Notes

One of the practical roles of bridesmaids post-wedding is to offer to help the couple with their thank-you cards. This could be writing out address envelopes, or you could be behind the scenes with a list of who bought what present. Your assistance will speed up the process and make the task more manageable.

• Pro Tip: Suggest they they use one of their wedding photos as the thank you card, and help them choose it! Set up a fun photo preview evening to reminisce.

24. Provide Emotional Support

The post-wedding blues are real! So, after the big day the roles of bridesmaids is to check in on the couple, remind them of the amazing day, and continue to be their biggest cheerleader.

• Pro Tip: We have all got that one friend that talks and talks and talks about their wedding… one of the roles of bridesmaids is to let them! It was such a monumental part of their lives, you’re being a brilliant friend by letting them talk to you about it.

25. One Year Anniversary

The role of bridesmaids doesn’t end with the wedding day – it extends into the couple’s married life! Surprise them by helping celebrate their one-year anniversary in a thoughtful and creative way. You could organise a small gathering with close friends or family, gift them something meaningful, or even just send a heartfelt message to mark the occasion.

• Pro Tip: If you want to gift them something, consider a bottle of the same wine from their big day, or bake them a cake in the same flavour as the wedding cake.

What is the role of a bridesmaid?

You may wonder what they duties of a bridesmaid are? The duties of a bridesmaid is to support the couple emotionally, practically and socially throughout their wedding journey. So, what exactly does a bridesmaid do? Here are our top tips for excelling in the role:

• Stay organised: Use checklists, spreadsheets and group chats to keep everything on track.
• Be flexible: Weddings can be unpredictable – try and be relaxed, go with the flow and adapt.
• Communicate effectively: Keep the couple informed and clarify your tasks, while reassuring them you are happy to help!
• Maintain a positivity: Keep upbeat in the run up and on the big day, it will help to boost everyone’s mood – enthusiasm is contagious.
• Be proactive: Anticipate needs before they arise to keep things stress-free. Get to know the vendors and ask them to come to you before bothering the couple.

What is the role of a chief bridesmaid?

The role of a chief bridesmaid, often called the maid of honour, is to take the lead in organising and supporting the bridal party. Key chief bridesmaid duties include planning the hen party, coordinating the bridesmaids, and being the bride’s primary point of support.

On the wedding day, the chief bridesmaid assists with managing schedules, helping the bride get ready, and even delivering a speech or toast if asked. It’s a leadership role that ensures everything goes smoothly for the couple.