Your bridesmaids are an important part of your wedding throughout the planning and on the big day. Be sure they feel appreciated and are treated with the respect they deserve throughout the process.
Your bridesmaids are probably your best friends, your sisters or other close relatives. They are women who love you, and are stepping up to support you throughout the planning of your wedding and of course the big day itself. It’s important to keep in mind that while your bridesmaids are happy to help, they won’t appreciate being taken for granted. Keeping your bridesmaids happy is a must for a pleasant experience for everyone.
Requests, not orders.
Although your bridesmaids are there to help you will all aspects of planning and preparing for the big day, remember that they are volunteers, not employees! Treat your bridesmaids with respect always, and they will continue to be happy to help out. Whenever you need one of your bridesmaids to perform a task on your behalf, be sure to phrase it as a request rather than an order. Please and thank you really are the magic words, and they will go a long way towards making sure your bridesmaids feel appreciated!
Choosing the dresses.
Everyone has some horror story about a terrible dress they were forced to wear for a wedding. Don’t make your bridesmaids wear something they hate! Sit down with them and offer some options for the dresses they will wear. Just as they likely gave advice in picking your wedding gown, listen to their thoughts on what they will wear. You may have a picture in your mind of how you would like the bridesmaids to look at your wedding, but see what they think and be willing to compromise. You don’t want them to be uncomfortable all night. You will have happier bridesmaids if they actually like the dresses and fell their thoughts were taken into consideration.
Sharing the load.
The Maid of Honour is often the one to whom much of the work and planning falls, especially when it comes to bachelorette parties and bridal showers. Let it be known that you would like for the work to be shared among all of the bridesmaids. The Maid of Honour will appreciate the help, and the rest of the bridesmaids will feel like they are important as well. By making sure that the work is divided evenly, no one will feel either left out or overworked.
Don’t forget to say thank you.
At the end of the day, when you are ready to sail off into the sunset and your new life, don’t forget all the work your bridesmaids put in to make your day special. Although you have probably already selected gifts for your bridesmaids, the simple act of taking a moment to thank each of them personally and face to face can go a long way. At the end of the day, they have put in a great deal of their time and effort simply to be there for you – saying thank you are the most important thing you can do to ensure they feel appreciated. Happy bridesmaids mean a happy bride and a great wedding experience for everyone, so make sure you take the time to show your gratitude.
