Photo: A Bryan Photo
“Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride” dates to about the sixteenth century. It was believed that if young maiden who had been a bridesmaid three times was unable to catch the eye of unmarried males, then she never would. But, if she served seven times as a bridesmaid, the spell was broken and the woman was thought to be a sure bet for marriage.
I was a bridesmaid two times, therefore I didn’t get cursed because I wasn’t one three times. But yet, I was already married both times so I guess it doesn’t count. 😛
The bottom line, believe what you want to believe. Being a bridesmaid is very honorable and not to mention fun. It also means that you are very well-loved and that your friends are very grateful in having you in their lives.
The Origin of Bridesmaids
Back in the olden days, bridesmaids were in charge not only with helping prepare for the bride’s wedding day. They came to exist to help confuse the evil spirits by dressing in identical clothing to the bride and the groom. These spirits were known to give the happy couple bad luck. Being dressed like the bride, the evil spirits would not know who was getting married. Long story short, a bridesmaids’ job used to be a risky one.
Duties
Maid or Matron of Honor
- assists the bride in selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses
- assists with addressing the wedding invitation and the place or escort cards
- organizes the bridesmaids’ gift to the bride and often organizes the bridesmaids’ luncheon if there is one
- holds the groom’s ring and the brides bouquet during the ceremony
- witnesses the signing of the marriage certificate
- helps the bride during the reception (gathering the guests for the cake cutting, dancing, the bouquet toss)
- helps the bride change into her going away clothes and takes care of the bride’s wedding dress and accessories after the reception
Bridesmaid
- attends the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and bridesmaids’ luncheon if there is one
- supervises the children in the wedding party if asked
- assists the bride at the reception as requested
- participates in activities such as a receiving line and a bouquet toss
- gives an individual gift to the couple or contributes to the bridesmaids’ gift for the couple
Junior Bridesmaid
- attend the rehearsal and, depending on the girl’s age and maturity, the rehearsal dinner
- may be invited to the bridesmaids’ luncheon
- don’t give bridal showers, though they can attend pre- wedding social events when invited
- if asked, they should be in the receiving line
- may give a separate gift to the couple or be included in her parents’ gift
All Attendants
- pay for their wedding attire and accessories except flowers
- arrange and pay for their own transportation, unless provided by the wedding couple
- attend prenuptial events
- give an individual gift to the couple or contribute to a group gift from the attendants
- understand specific duties and follow instructions
- arrive at specified times for all wedding related events
- assist the bride and groom
- be attentive to other guests at the wedding and reception
About Apropos Creations… With over 10 years of assisting brides, grooms and their respective families create this moment, Apropos Creations, a local Chandler, Arizona wedding and event planner, who services Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, and the surrounding cities, will make this journey enjoyable and stress-free. We will be there to offer inspiring ideas and flawless coordination. Besides our basic wedding packages, Apropos Creations also specializes in multi cultural weddings and Southeast Asian weddings, destination weddings in San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA and neighboring bay area cities and Philippines destination weddings. We pledge to you our devotion to make your wedding and event as unique as you. We want what you want, a perfect and beautiful day of memories to treasure throughout time.
Credits… A Bryan Photo; Apropos Creations; Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette; SouthernLiving.com; The Dessy Group
