Cameron Chronicles: 12 Ways to Keep Your Bridesmaids Happy

Want to ensure your best friends still love you after the wedding? Here's your to-do list.

By Jessica Zaleski

1. Realize They Have a Life Outside of Your Wedding

Photo by Lauren Fair Photography

Sure, they've received the honorable title "bridesmaid," but that doesn't mean your best friends can ignore their other real-world titles, and neither should you. Be mindful of their schedules when deciding whom to ask to tag along to your dress fitting or to an appointment with your florist. For example, don't schedule something for 10 a.m. on a Tuesday if you know it'll be a pain for your maid of honor to make it. If it's truly important to you for her to be there, find out what days are easiest for her to take a long lunch or leave work a little early. And be mindful of your tone -- ask them nicely (don't tell them) to be there. Hopefully, they'll make an effort to attend activities when they can.
2. Ask Them What They Want to Wear

Photo by Jocelyn Filley Photography

Even if you have a super-specific vision for the bridesmaid dresses, ask them for their input, and be open-minded to letting them wear styles that will fit their body types. You don't have to give them free rein to buy any dress in the store, but schedule a group outing where they can try on different styles, or have them send you pictures of dresses they think would look good on them. Trust us -- your girls will look great together in photos if they feel great.
3. Give Them Some Direction

Photo by Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography

If you prefer to take a more laid-back approach to their looks, give them a few hints about the style you have in mind for the wedding, or at least about what your dress will look like, so they have a starting point. Dealing with your bridesmaids is a balancing act. While you don't want to tell them they all have to wear the same strapless gown, you can't just say, "Wear anything you want," and call it a day. They want to look good together in your wedding photos, so help them however you can. Give them a paint swatch from the local hardware store, send them an inspiration board or buy them all the same statement necklace.
4. Make Them Feel Special

Photo by June Bug Company

Your bridesmaids are likely putting time, effort and money into your wedding, and chances are, they've been looking forward to it as much as you have. Make them feel more like your VIPs (and less like your indentured servants) by making a solid effort to recognize them. Call them out on your wedding website, along with photos (or videos) and a little info about how you know each other. Also include their names in the ceremony program and give them a plus-one, no matter what. Even if they're not in a long-term relationship, it's important they be allowed to bring a date.
5. Help Them Get to Know One Another

Photo by Laura Ivanova Photography

The people you ask to be in your bridal party may all be special to you, but they might not all be special to one another. One or two wedding-chatter-free chances to hang out will, hopefully, get everyone feeling friendly and make the actual wedding-related activities more fun for all. As the bride (read: the glue holding this group of girls together), it's your job to encourage them to hang out and get along.
6. Keep Track of How Much They're Spending

Photo by Vanessa Joy Photography

You're planning this shindig, or you're at least fairly involved in how much it's costing, so it's easy to get wrapped up in how much you're spending without realizing the amount of cash everyone else is dishing out. If you've been a bridesmaid before, you're familiar with how quickly it all adds up -- the dress, the accessories, the shower and wedding gifts, the bachelorette party and travel expenses are only the basics. Do what you can to keep costs manageable, whether you look for less expensive dresses or help them find affordable flights and hotels. And remember: If you're requiring your bridesmaids to get their hair and makeup done, it's pretty much a given you'll be the one paying.
7. Let Them Know What You Expect

Photo by Look Wedding Photography

Don't assume your girls know everything about being a bridesmaid. Even if they do, it's good to be clear about, for example, who will order the bridesmaid dresses. Will you all order them together in store, or will each person be responsible for placing her own order online? Ask in advance if you're hoping they can help you assemble the ceremony programs instead of calling them the night before you really have to get the job done. Also, put them on the same page with your family and your groom's family in terms of big events, like the shower, to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
8. Divvy Up the Duties

Photo by W&E Photographie

Take some pressure off your bridesmaids by coming up with a mental list of friends and family you can rely on for extra help during crunch time. Maybe your mom or aunts are crafty and would actually love to help you package all of the favors. Think about the little last-minute to-dos ahead of time before you lock your bridesmaids into helping you with every single project.
9. Keep the Meltdowns to a Minimum

Photo by Kallima Photography

The occasional bridal breakdown is inevitable – your bridesmaids are pretty much counting on it. So don’t think twice if, during a particularly stressful week, you cry over boutonnieres or lose your cool over favors – it’s par for the course. Just try to keep the bridezilla moments in check, okay?
10. Give (and Receive) Graciously

Photo by Jeff Wojtaszek Photography

You pictured an elegant afternoon tea; instead, there’s bridal shower bingo and mini hot dogs. You imagined a spa-day bachelorette; instead, you got a night of pole dancing in a strip club. It might be tough sometimes, but you’ve got to smile and say "thank you." They've worked hard to organize a nice event for you, so appreciate what they come up with, even if it's not exactly what you had in mind.
11. Talk to Them About Normal (Read: Non-Wedding) Stuff

Photo by Abby Fox Photography

Plain and simple, be a good friend. With the wedding at the top of your mind, it'll be easy to spin any conversation straight into planning talk. Make a conscious effort to ask your girls about what's going on in their lives and to remember when they have a big meeting or final exam, or a date with a new guy. First and foremost, they're your friends -- treat them that way!
12. Say "Thank You"

Photo by Erin Samuell

You don't have to spend a fortune on bridesmaid gifts to show how grateful you are. Just make them meaningful and remember to write something nice in the card! Instead of waiting until the last minute and scrambling to find something, put serious thought into what you think each of your girls could use. If you love the idea of gifting them jewelry to wear at the wedding, consider buying different statement pieces that will make each outfit unique (and that they'll want to keep wearing after the wedding). Or go outside-the-box. Think: a gift certificate to a new restaurant for your foodie friend or kickboxing classes for your fitness buff bridesmaid.