1. There's
more to being a bridesmaid than parading down the aisle in a lovely pink saree.
Celebrate your friend and her groom by helping her out and adding some extra
fun to this often stressful, but very special time. Here are some of our best
ideas, to inspire you to go above and beyond your bridesmaid duties.
2. Take
responsibility for the gift baskets or bags for out-of-town guests' hotel
rooms. Include a welcome letter, maps, relevant phone numbers, snacks,
postcards, city souvenirs, and suggestions for fun activities.
3. Ask
the bride when she expects the wedding invitations to be ready and plan an
informal gathering. Ask each bridesmaid to bring something to eat, turn on the
stereo, and divide the duties of writing addresses, stuffing envelopes, and
putting on stamps. Not only will you have fun, but you'll also be helping the
bride finish a very tedious job!
4. Offer
to supply wedding favors or escort cards for the rehearsal dinner. If it's a
more casual affair, offer to make simple centerpieces.
5. Ward
off prewedding jitters by creating a distraction -- get tickets to a play or
dance performance, one that you know she'd be dying to see if she weren't so
busy planning the wedding.
6. Ask
what she's drinking at the reception and keep her cup full. Brides seldom make
it through the crowd to the bar (just be sure her cup doesn't run over).
7. Offer
to be the end-of-the-party, final once-over girl -- collect the cake topper and
toasting flutes, make sure Grandma is escorted to her car, etc.
8. Take
her wedding outfits to the cleaners after the wedding. Get her outfits
preserved for when she returns from the honeymoon.
9. Pack
a honeymoon "in case you forget" bag: Include a disposable camera,
sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizer, saline, and other toiletries a hurried
bride might forget to pack.
10. Stock the
couple's kitchen with food for their return. The worst trip is the one to go to
the grocery store the night you return from paradise. Help them avoid reality
for just one more day.
