Part Three: D-Day (Also Known as the Wedding Weekend)

It's finally here! The week of the wedding. You have your bridesmaid dress pressed and ready to go! Or at least you should if you read this article BEFORE the weekend of the wedding. At this time you have also completely planned for the weekend from nails before the rehearsal dinner (depends on the wedding) to how you are going to get back on your plane or in your car on the day after the wedding.

If you haven't, and even if you have, we're going to walk through the weekend step by step to make sure you don't forget a thing!

Before we start however - we have two key rules:

1. Do whatever is going to make the Bride happy and make her wedding weekend easy.
2. BE ON TIME.
   

(note on the picture - what not to do - even if this is a fun candid moment with me and a childhood friend)






Packing for the Wedding:

• If you're flying - plan to carry on your dress. There's nothing worse than a wrinkled bridesmaid. The plane will more than likely have a location to hang your dress (or lay it on top of luggage in the overhead).
• Remember that it's only a weekend (in most cases) so don't pack a lot. On the day of the wedding you should pack a button-down (for when you get your hair done), some pants or shorts (depending on the weather) and some easy shoes. This is your outfit for the hairdresser. You should also pack whatever you're wearing under your bridesmaids dress, the shoes, the makeup, and the jewelry you'll be wearing (never assume you're getting jewelry from the bride). You're going to be in your bridesmaid dress for the remainder of the day after you put it on - so you only need this outfit and your hairdresser outfit for the day of the wedding. For the rehearsal dinner, find out where it is and what the dress code is - dress appropriately. If it's casual - still wear something nicer - dark jeans and a nice top. You are in the bridal party and should look nice - just don't upstage the bride.
• Don't forget your Bride's gift if you are giving one!

The Day of the Rehearsal Dinner

• If you're getting your nails done, bring enough money to cover what you are getting. Some wedding parties cover the costs (how thoughtful) but sometimes they don't. Do not go expecting to have this covered. Be ever so thankful if it is!
• At the rehearsal (if there is one), be sure to pay attention and learn your role for the ceremony. You want to be sure that you're not the person in the bridal party to mess up the wedding video :)
• At the rehearsal dinner - be classy. Be sure to introduce yourself to all of the bridal party, if you haven't already at the church, and be pleasant and fun! Do not over drink at the rehearsal dinner. Remember that you have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for the wedding and no one wants to be known as the drunk bridesmaid at the rehearsal dinner!
  

The Morning of the Wedding

• Make sure you take care of yourself in regards to food in the morning. You will be running from place to place and item to item for the rest of the day, and to be honest, you're not as important as the Bride. Some families will have food available for the bridal party as they are getting ready, but some may not - so be prepared.
• Come ready with all of your items to get dressed to impress for the wedding. Do not forget a single thing! Your job is to make it easy for the bride and just be there to assist her. 
• Bring your bridal gift with you - if you have time give it to her before she gets dressed. It will be a mushy sentimental moment for all of the bridal party - unless you happen to give her something funny and that will also make the mood! :)

The Wedding:

• Make sure a bridesmaid brings the bride a touch-up kit. This could include make-up, deodorant, chapstick, tissues, heaven forbid - feminine products, bobby pins, pins (in case of a wardrobe malfunction), breathmints or gum and some small snacks. You NEVER know what you might need!
• Assist with the bussel of the dress - no ifs, ands, or buts (no pun intended). It's one of the more challenging points but hey - it comes with the job!
  
• Do not fight with the photographer - I learned this from personal experience. No matter how rude they are being to the bridal party (or bossy), know that your bride hired them for a reason and she is hoping to get some great pictures. So suck it up! (you'll just know you won't use them for your wedding).
• Drink and get boozy AFTER all of the wedding reception details are over- the cake cutting, etc. Once the dance floor is open - you are free to be you (within reason - don't get sick at your friend's wedding). Remember - it's not about you. :)
  

Most important for the Day of the Wedding - Remember to have fun and be fun! This is the most important day of your friend's life and she's choosing to share it with you. Enjoy it and make the most of the weekend!!