Bridesmaids Expectations vs Reality (Duties and Availability)

Movies and TV shows have prepared us all to be ultimate bridesmaids. We know to help the bride say yes to the wedding dress, to throw an amazing bachelorette party, and when the special day comes, we drink and party. Unfortunately, they may have left out a few details here and there that are part of…well, making the wedding happen. Let’s clear up some of those expectations and remind you what you’re in store for. Bridesmaids Expectations vs Reality (Duties and Availability)?

Expectation:

Weddings are beautiful unions that celebrate love, and it’s all a big party.

Reality:

Weddings take a lot of planning and can be very stressful for more than just the bride and groom. There may be several parties and events throughout the whole process. However, to pull those off you have to put in the work first.

Expectation:

It’s the bride and groom’s wedding, so they will pay for everything.

Reality:

Weddings are very costly, because of this there are expectations on what the bride and groom cover in their budget, and what the wedding party contributes to. Throughout the pre-wedding events, bridesmaids should budget for hosting the bridal shower party and the bachelorette party. In some cases, bridesmaids will also have to pay for their own bridesmaid dress.

Expectation:

As a bridesmaid, all there is to do is throw an epic bachelorette party and pose for pictures on the wedding day. Any real responsibilities are for the maid of honor.

Reality:

Bridesmaid duties can be delegated out to each member of the team. Where the maid of honor may be a part of the bigger and more important decisions, responsibility for the smaller tasks can then fall to the rest of the group. It’s important that everyone takes part in both the planning and wedding day necessities.

Expectation:

On the wedding day, it’ll be all about taking lots of pictures, walking down the aisle, giving a toast, and having many drinks.

Reality:

The endless days of plans and executions are not over just yet. The bridesmaid is part of the team that ensures everything is running smoothly on the wedding day. If people are confused about where to sit, what’s next on the itinerary, or they’re just sitting and looking bored, these are all areas where the bridesmaid needs to jump into action. Therefore, in addition to looking pretty all day, and making sure guests are having a good time, the bridesmaids are responsible for not letting the wedding fail. That includes being there for anything and everything the bride may need.

Expectation:

When it comes to planning, all of the bridesmaids will share equal responsibilities in helping to make this day come to fruition.

Reality:

It is true that the maid of honor may take on a greater responsibility. However, the rest of the bridesmaids should always be available to help. At times, there will also be individuals who have a lot on their personal plates, so it is important to be considerate and respectful of where everyone is in their lives. Try to help the delegate tasks based on everyone’s unique skill set and take into consideration what everyone can handle.

Expectation:

The planning process will be perfect, each bridesmaid will know their role and what they are responsible for. Every part of the planning will be fun, exciting, and super seamless.

Reality:

The bridesmaid squad can easily be made up of people who have very different personalities. Due to their differences, tension can arise within the group. There may be disagreements that cause dropouts, failed events, or just uncomfortable atmospheres. Therefore, to avoid all of this, everyone just needs to remember the end goal, and who you’re doing this for. The bride and groom.

Expectation:

The bride knows who she is and what she wants. Thus, shopping for the wedding dress will be a piece of cake (and some wine)!

Reality:

Wedding dress shopping will most likely take numerous appointments that last hours, and the whole process could take weeks. It’s really hard to know what is going to look good on the bride when she’s just looking at dresses on hangers, therefore even just selecting a dress to start with can be really tough. In addition, the group that attends these appointments can offer up feedback on completely different ends of the spectrum, which will probably confuse the bride further. If you want to be helpful during this process, read our blog on 5 tips to know when helping the bride choose the perfect wedding dress.

 

At the end of the day, when planning and participating in a wedding, some parts may not be exactly what bridesmaids expected. Just know that every part is needed and helps to make the experience truly unforgettable for the bride and groom.

We hope you enjoyed our Bridesmaids Expectations vs Reality (Duties and Availability) blog. If you were chosen for this very important role, check out The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Bridesmaid in order to fully understand what will be expected of you.

 

 

Header Image Credit: @toniwiebergphotography