10 Things to Do the Week After You're Asked to Be a Bridesmaid

bride and bridesmaids — Jeremy Budiman / Unsplash

It's a privilege to be asked to be a friend's bridesmaid or bridal party member, but it's also a huge responsibility. As someone who considers herself a professional bridesmaid (and someone who created a business out of it!), I should know. It's an emotional and stressful time for the bride so your bride will definitely lean on you. Luckily, there are many ways for a bridesmaid or bridal party member to offer help and support, especially within the first week of being asked, to show your bride you're in it 100 percent.

You've been the bride's go-to pal, their number one late-night text message best friend, and their partner in some very laughable crimes. Now, you're about to be their bridesmaid or bridal party member. So, after you tissue off the happy tears and say "Yes, of course!" when they ask you if you'll be a bridal party member, here are 10 things you should remember to do soon after.

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Introduce Yourself to Other Bridesmaids or Bridal Party Members

Be the first to say hello to the other people who will be strutting their stuff down the aisle with you. That way, you can break the ice and begin forming a relationship with them. You never know who will compose the bridal party. It may be inclusive of men or people who do not ascribe to gender at all. Introducing yourself will make it easier to coordinate later on! Also, if you think you can offer a hand with some parts of the planning, let the maid-of-honor or bridal party member of honor know you're willing to help out.

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Make It Public on Social Media

Once the bride gives you the OK, post a picture of the fun way the bride popped the question to you. Whether it was with a ring pop, a bottle of bubbly, or a handwritten card, share the love with your entire social world and make it social media official.

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Make a Budget

If you're a first-time bridesmaid or bridal party member, you need to know that it can get expensive. Aside from paying for your dress, there are also gifts, and parties to attend (and throw), sometimes even involving travel. It's important to make a budget so you won't blow your entire savings account on someone else's party of a lifetime. If you're not sure how much to budget for what, break down each event that you'll be attending and jot down a list of estimated expenses for each.

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Write Out Your List of Demands

Or at least the dates you're unavailable during the next year or so. When the bride, maid of honor, or bridal party member of honor starts planning dates for the bridal shower or bachelorette party, it will be good if they have your "no-go" dates handy.

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Pencil It In

Now that you've given the bride your no-go dates, mark down any important dates that they already have and want you to save in your calendar. Include the bachelorette party, bridal shower, wedding date (of course), and even smaller milestones, such as when the bride is going dress or attire shopping.

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Read and Refresh on Bridesmaid or Bridal Party Member Duties

Whether you've never been a bridal party member or you've been one 16 times, it's always useful to flip through new wedding trends and bridesmaid or bridal party member etiquette to make sure you're in the loop on what to do. You wouldn't want to make a mistake or, worse, hurt the bride's feelings without even knowing!

07 of 10

Ask for Advice

Pick the brains of other friends or family members of yours that have been bridesmaids or bridal party members recently. They can give you some tips and tricks for making it through the role stress-free and fill you in on what to expect.

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Say Thank You

You might be so excited by the thought of taking on your new role as a bridesmaid or bridal party member that you may forget to say a gigantic thank you to the bride for asking you!

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