The Ultimate Bridesmaid Wedding Checklist

So you've made the cut as a bridesmaid for your BFF's big day — Congratulations! You might not know it yet, but you’ve just taken on one of the most important roles of the wedding. But what does it take to be a great bridesmaid? Preparation is key. Here’s a comprehensive checklist for bridesmaids to make sure you’ve got everything you need for the big day.

It's a special honor to stand by your friend's side as she says "I do." But as you're probably aware, being a bridesmaid comes with a lot of responsibilities. One way to stay ahead of the game throughout the wedding day is to follow a bridesmaid's checklist. Here's why it's essential:

1. It keeps you organized:
   A bridesmaid's checklist outlines all of the tasks you need to accomplish on the day of the wedding, from getting ready to walking down the aisle. By following the checklist, you can make sure you don't forget anything important and stay on top of your responsibilities.

2. It helps you stay calm:
   With so much going on during a wedding, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. By having a checklist to refer to, you can take a deep breath and remind yourself of what needs to be done. This will help you feel more in control and less anxious.

3. It ensures you're prepared:
   Your check list will typically include items you need to bring with you, such as a change of shoes, a touch-up kit, and your speech. By checking off these items as you pack them, you can make sure you're fully prepared for the day ahead.

4. It makes you a valuable team player:
   Weddings can be chaotic, but by following a bridesmaid's checklist, you can help keep things running smoothly. You'll know what needs to be done and when, and you can help coordinate with other bridesmaids to make sure everyone is on the same page.

The Must-Haves

To find out what bridesmaids absolutely need to pack, check out this list of essential items you’ll need to bring along on the wedding day.  

1. A copy of the wedding day timeline 

Make sure that you know all about any and all activities happening throughout the day. This way, you can be prepared to help out whenever necessary. Knowing when photos will be taken, when hair and makeup need to be done, etc. will help the day run much smoother, and it’ll give you an organized checklist of tasks to accomplish. 

2. Your bridesmaid ensemble 

Is your outfit in line with what the bride has requested? And does it need alterations or hemming? If so, make sure to do that as soon as possible: Your outfit should be ready a month before the wedding. Try it on beforehand to make sure you’re comfortable and confident in the look. 

And when choosing shoes, take the venue into account. For instance, if your friend is having a beach or garden wedding, it's a good idea to swap out your stilettos for flats or wedges. 

3. Extra make-up

You should already have your makeup and hair done by the time you get to the venue, but it’s important to bring along touch-up supplies like lipstick, foundation, blotting papers, hairspray, and a brush. You never know when you might need to fix up your look! 

4. A small pack of tissues

It's almost guaranteed that a few tears will be shed throughout the day. Be sure to bring along a pack of tissues for yourself, your fellow bridesmaids, and even the bride! 

5. A fully-charged cell phone

Having a fully-charged cell phone can come in handy in case of any emergencies or to snap a candid pic. Before the big day, get the bridal party's contact details to make task coordination smoother. If you’re worried about the battery running low, make sure to bring a portable charger with you.

6. Your speech

If you’re delivering a speech at the wedding, make sure to practice it beforehand and bring along a printed version on the day. (Trust us, this will come in handy on the big day if your nerves get high.)

7. A positive attitude

This is, of course, the most important item to bring along! Bring the energy and enthusiasm that you know your friend needs in order to feel supported on their big day. Remember: your #1 duty as a bridesmaid is to make sure your friend is having the time of their life. 

The Nice-to-Haves

Aside from the must-haves, here are a few nice-to-haves that will come in handy on the wedding day: 

1. Water and snacks 

Keep yourself hydrated and energized throughout the festivities. Pack water bottles or protein bars to snack on so you stay refreshed throughout the day. 

2. An emergency kit

Assemble an emergency kit with all the items you think you’ll need. It should include things like aspirin, Band-Aids, antacid tablets, a sewing kit, safety pins, bobby pins, boob tape, and whatever else you can think of! 

3. An extra pair of shoes

If you want to bring heels, make sure there is a backup option just in case. Have a comfortable pair of flats or sandals in your bag that you can break out when the dancing begins.

4. A camera

The bride will probably have hired a professional photographer, but you can also bring your own camera and take a few snaps of your own. Your unique perspective can capture moments you and your friend will love looking back on in the future.

5. Gifts 

You could always mail your gift to the couple, but it's always nice to be able to give your gifts in person. So if you’re bringing a gift, make sure it’s wrapped and ready to go. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done, it doesn't hurt to refer back to this checklist for bridesmaids. That way, everything you need to do is already written down and easily accessible. And don't forget to take a deep breath and enjoy the ride! Being in a bridal party should be an amazing experience, both for the bride and for you.

How to be the best bridesmaid ever

Being a bridesmaid is an honor and a privilege. It’s one of the most significant moments in a friendship, and it’s your opportunity to show up for your best friend or family member on their most special day. You want to make sure you’re the best version of yourself at your friend’s wedding. Here are some tips to ensure that you’re the best bridesmaid ever: 
Be respectful and understanding

If the bride has certain expectations of you, respect them. Show up on time to all events or meetings, follow through with any tasks she assigns you, and dress appropriately for the occasion. It’s also important to be understanding if things don’t always go according to plan. She’s likely under a lot of pressure, so try to be as supportive and understanding as possible. 
Be social and have fun

The wedding day can often be overwhelming for the bride, so take it upon yourself to get everyone in the bridal party in a good mood and ready to party! Break out your best dance moves, strike up conversations with the other guests, and make sure everyone is having a blast. 
Be present and available

Most importantly, just be there for her emotionally. Make sure to be there for your friend throughout the planning process. Be her sounding board, offer words of encouragement, and take care of any tasks she needs help with — like assembling favors, addressing envelopes, and, at the very beginning of the adventure, finding the big day’s venue.

If your bride's still in the early stages of planning her wedding, you can point her in the right direction by introducing her to our team at Wedgewood Weddings. We've got decades of experience in all things weddings — so your bride can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying her moment. Contact us today and let us help give your friend, the bride, the hassle-free experience she deserves.

THE ULTIMATE PACKING LIST FOR THE BRIDE’S MVPS

On behalf of all brides who suddenly have a deep need for an essential item on their big day. Let's hear it for the bridesmaids whose quick thinking, meticulous planning, and deep and lasting love has saved the day more than once!

Attention bridesmaids!

Thank you for coming to our wedding fully prepped with an emergency kit that could rival a survival kit for doomsday. Seriously, did you think we were going to be stranded on a deserted island for a week?

Thanks for the granola bars that kept us from turning into bridezillas when we got hungry, and the nail files that were sharper than our snarky comments. And can we talk about the eyelash glue? We're pretty sure that stuff could hold up a building. We were more worried about our lashes staying in place than our vows! And for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts (and our perfectly curled lashes). The real MVP of the day was the phone charger. You knew we'd want to scroll our wedding hashtag during the day and you made it happen - as always. 

You guys were the best. Your emergency kit was like a magical Mary Poppins bag, full of everything we needed (and some things we didn't know we needed). Thank you for being our support system, our cheerleaders, and our therapists throughout the day.

With love and lots of laughs!
All Brides