The chores of a bridesmaid

The culture of designating the title of a 'bridesmaid' is surely western, but its influence has slowly penetrated our deshi-weddings. Now, Bengali brides also assign duties of a bridesmaid to a few ladies among her friends and family.

With that being said, any bridesmaid should be aware of all her responsibilities during the wedding. Knowing and fulfilling them all with utmost love and care is what makes the role so precious.

Bridesmaids ought to plan and organise the bridal shower and the bachelorette

party for the bride (given she wants any or both). Even though the major planning and hosting are done by the maid of honour, a bridesmaid has to participate in the process and lend her hand whenever need be. It is her duty to make sure the parties turn out to be just how the bride could have hoped for, and within the stated budget, of course!

A bridesmaid has to also help the bride throughout the entire planning of the wedding. It could be looking for a venue, getting the right décor or simply helping to choose an attire — a bridesmaid needs to be ready at all times to come to the bride's rescue. Although, it needs to be kept in check that everything is ultimately the bride's call; helping within reasons as long as the bride asks for it and prioritising her demands over any is the way to go.

A bridesmaid needs to wear an attire as per the bride's code. If a specific dress, colour or style is assigned by the bride herself, a bridesmaid needs to respect and wear that at all cost. It is important to bear in mind that even if it's not the best to you, it's still the bride's day and as one of her best girls, you need to treat her wish as your command!

On the wedding day, the role of a bridesmaid is crucial. Making sure that the bride always has someone with her, she eats on time, has everything she needs beside her — are notably some of the most significant duties.

Bridesmaids are also suggested to carry an emergency kit with band-aids, safety pins, bobby pins, etc. to help the bride with whatever she might need.

Once again, you have to remember that it's a big day for the bride. She is going through a flood of emotions; she can even end up getting cold feet.

To stay by her side, keep her calm, talk to her, make her feel good about herself as well as the wedding is by far the biggest task of any bridesmaid. To make sure everything goes smoothly and the bride is as happy as she can be is all a bridesmaid is there for.

Other than these, a bridesmaid needs to relax as well! So, enjoy the wedding, have fun, but make sure that the bride, the one who's so dear to you, is living every moment without a worry.

Photo: LS Archive/ sazzad Ibne Sayed