Asking someone to be a part of your bridal party is a big deal. But you should never take these roles for granted. There’s a lot of effort that goes into being a bridesmaid, and you should make it your duty to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone involved.
4 Ways to Treat Your Bridal Party Right
Your bridal party is made up of your best friends and relatives. It’s a group of people whom you love dearly. So when it comes to planning the details of your wedding, it’s important that you put yourself in their shoes and think about things from their perspective.
Yes, this is your moment. But you don’t have to be selfish in your moment. You can care for the needs of those you love and have a memorable wedding that you smile about for years to come. Here are a few suggestions:
- Make it Affordable
Unless you’re the first of your friends to get married, you’ve likely been a bridesmaid in at least a couple of different weddings. And while you’d never admit as much to the bride – it gets expensive
According to a survey by Weddington Way, the average cost of being a bridesmaid is $1,500 (depending on where you live). Clothing and preparation costs somewhere around $381. Events like bachelorette parties and bridal showers tally another $501. Wedding expenses cost an average of $442. Then there’s another $176 in miscellaneous expenses. When you add up the fact that most women are in multiple weddings over the years, the lifetime cost of being a bridesmaid is an astonishing $6,602!
While you can’t do anything about other weddings, you do have a say regarding your own. Be conscientious about how much you’re asking your wedding party to spend and, if possible, offer to help with some of the expenses. Even if they turn you down, the simple act of offering goes a long way towards making them feel cared for.
- Provide Plenty of Detail
Communication is key. While there are a lot of moving parts with wedding planning, it’s important that you keep your bridesmaids in the loop and pass along as many details as you can as soon as possible. This will help them with planning and logistics, while also reducing some of the stress that can frustrate people who aren’t last-minute planners
- Hire a Party Bus or Limo
On the day of the wedding, there’s always the touchy subject of the “schedule.” The questions never seem to cease: When is makeup? When are pictures? How do bridesmaids get to the venue? Who will transport them from the ceremony to the reception? Where do they pick up their stuff at the end of the night? How do they get back to the hotel?
One of the best ways to simplify the logistics of the day is to hire a party bus or limousine for your bridal party. Not only does this cut down on some of the logistical issues that occur with multiple people driving, but it also allows them to relax and have fun. It’s a small, yet noteworthy touch.
- Give Meaningful Gift
Brides are generally expected to give their bridesmaids a gift on the day of the wedding as a token of their appreciation. While there’s nothing wrong with giving a general gift – such as a pair of earrings – there’s something to be said for putting a little extra thought into it.
“Think about presents specific to each girl: a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant or clothing store; a bottle (or case, depending on the price) of her favorite wine or anything heartfelt that proves you know her taste,” wedding industry professional Leeanne Griffin suggests. “If you can, gather them together for a luncheon, dinner or cocktail hour before the wedding to give them their gifts.”
Make Your Day Special for Everyone
This is your wedding – nobody is going to dispute this simple fact – but do you really want to be the kind of person who only thinks about themselves on a day this special? By thinking about the people standing behind you at the altar and striving to make this day enjoyable for them as well, you can create fond memories for everyone involved.