So, your best friend asks you to be in their wedding and now you’re asking yourself, what’s next? While we all know planning a wedding can be stressful, being a wedding party member can be too. Here are our top 5 tips to help ensure you are the best wedding party member possible.
Tip #1. Find out what the couple expects of you as a wedding party member before you agree. While the couple may not know precisely how much things will cost right away, you should take a moment to discuss things like whether or not they expect their wedding party members to pay for specific events leading up to the big day. Or if they expect you to pay for your attire for the wedding. If it turns out that you can not afford to attend the pre-wedding festivities or pay for some aspects of your role in the wedding, then be upfront with the couple right away. Most times, they will be understanding or may even adjust their expectations so that you can still serve in this unique role alongside them.
Tip #2. Do NOT criticize the choices of the couple. Wedding planning can be a very emotional process, and the last thing you want to do, as a friend, is to add any additional stress with your unsolicited opinions. If you don’t like the bride’s wedding dress or maybe the hairstyle selected for the bridal party to have, please keep your opinion to yourself. As a wedding party member, your job is to help the couple with whatever they ask and remember their day is not about you!
Tip #3. Help plan, and pay for the bridal shower and bachelorette/bachelor parties. Some responsibilities might include helping to secure travel and hotel accommodations, arranging activities, and divvying up the costs between each wedding party member, so the couple’s expenses are covered. While the couple’s parents might be willing to help pay for some or all of the costs, you should be prepared to step up and take over this responsibility as a wedding party member.
Tip #4. Offer to help with specific tasks. While statements like, “I’m here to help if you need,” are well intended, some people struggle to delegate tasks to others. Instead, offer to help with specific tasks like picking up last minute rental items, putting together any DIY elements, or even serving as a point of contact for other wedding guests/vendors the day of the wedding. While you certainly aren’t expected to act as a wedding coordinator or planner, that’s what Osprey’s Event Directors are here for; find out ways that you can help cross items off the couples checklist so that they can focus on the celebration ahead.
And this brings us to our last and final point,
Tip #5. Focus on the happy couple! Whether you’re the maid of honor or not, your job as a wedding party member is to ensure that the wedding day is as stress-free for the couple as possible. Show up on time to any appointments or locations where you are needed. Make sure the couple eats and stays hydrated before and after the ceremony. Mingle and chat with other guests and help set the party’s tone by being engaged and present throughout the day. Most importantly, be a source of positivity and calm for the couple. The actual wedding day can be nerve-wracking, so do your best to ensure that the couple stays in good spirits and help keep any nerves at bay.
And there you have it! With these five tips in mind, you are now armed and ready to help your friends have the BEST wedding day ever!
If you’ve been invited to a wedding as a guest and need some tips on how to support the couple in this important role, be sure to check out our last blog for our top 10 tips on, How To Be A Wedding Guest.
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