All this wedding planning can be so stressful. Between the wedding vows, food preparation, dress shopping and floral arrangements, it seems like you ladies can't catch a break.
A perfect way to bond with your fellow bridesmaids can be through a weekend getaway with your bride. I'm sure she could use some R and R as well. Send out a phone call to the girls and start packing to your go-to place for relaxation. Here are some adorable outfits from Polyvore to have you looking fabulous yet comfortable whether you are relaxing on the beach or chilling in the mountains.
These are just a few outfits to rock during the weekend depending on your destination. Here are a couple things to remember when you are on this fun vacay:
1. Avoid talking about anything wedding-related! I know it's hard because it's all that is on the group's mind, but the point of this weekend is to de-stress.
2. Bring a book
3. Try some yoga
4. Drink wine-- but not too much ;)
5. Explore the town
This short trip is a great way to bond with the bridal party. Take advantage of it and have fun. This is what weddings are all about so make the most out of it. When you return from your amazing trip, you will feel refreshed and ready to be the super blushing bridesmaid you were meant to be.
Although April showers bring May flowers, they can be bad news for any bride's special day. Early morning salon visits, getting to the ceremony and reception, outdoor photos and especially outdoor weddings have the potential to go disastrously wrong if the weather decides not to cooperate. But have no fear, the Blushing Bridesmaids are here. By keeping a "just in case" rainy day kit, you'll be the ultimate bridesmaid prepared to save the day.
The essentials for a rainy day survival kit:
1) Umbrellas: Obvious, yes, but we forget them all of the time! Make sure you have extras to share with the rest of the wedding party.
2) Rainboots: These or any other change of shoes, no one wants muddy heels!
3) Hooded weather-proof jacket: Keep those locks dry and beautiful.
4) Plastic bags: Whether it's a bouquet, the veil or anything that you'll be carrying around keep some plastic bags on hand. If it starts to rain, you won't have to worry about items being ruined.
5) Hair dryer: You can't save everything sometimes. Having a hair dryer on hand can be a quick fix for not only hair but clothing, shoes, etc.
6) A calm, cool and collected bridesmaid: Every bride's ultimate necessity. If she starts getting upset about the weather, you will sweep in and save the day with a positive attitude and this rainy day survival kit.
Keep your eyes on the sky (and your phone for weather updates). If it rains, it rains.
We can't control Mother Nature, but it always helps to be prepared.
We all know the actual wedding day is incredibly stressful for the bride, but what about the bridesmaids? These women are there to cater to the bride and reduce her stress level while making this special day perfect. That is a lot of pressure for these bridesmaids, but not to worry-- the Blushing Bridesmaids are here to save the day!
A way to make this stressful day much easier is with a bridesmaid survival kit. Below are some pictures of survival kits filled with simple things to keep the bridal party and their bride one step ahead.
Check out the Joy Is At Home blog that provides a list of helpful items to add to your Blushing Bridesmaid survival kit. They range from first aid kit items to beauty products.
Here are couple things to keep in mind when putting together your own survival kit:
Be creative-- let this kit represent how fabulous and unique you are!
Keep your kit at a reasonable size
Shop for small items to go in your kit
Re-use this kit in the future
Have fun :)
I hope these kits are helpful to you all and remember to stay calm. This day isn't meant to be special for just the bride, so have fun, celebrate and be the best bridesmaid you can be.
Every bridesmaid wants to look her best at the wedding, so keeping up with your workout routine is imperative. One way you can revamp your workout is to add in some yoga. Yoga has become a major trend in the fitness world with a wide variety of different workouts focusing on toning, strengthening and limbering the body while simultaneously relaxing the mind. Not only will your balance, posture, strength, flexibility and physique improve but you'll also be able to let go of any stress that you may be feeling during the pre-wedding process. Decreasing your stress levels and increasing your inner calm will keep your energy levels high and your spirits even higher.
If you have a gym membership try the yoga classes that are offered. You can also try these yoga workouts from Fitness Magazine at home.
Ever seen the tacky yet unrefined and somehow can't get your eyes away from the television show on WE called Bridezillas. I may be embarrassed to admit this (but hey, compared to the other guilty pleasure tv shows I watch like Say Yes to the Dress, David Tuttera Specials and Pick the Wedding people who know me should not be too surprised) but I have definitely caught the show once or twice.......okay maybe a lot of times. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's a show about all these crazy stressed, girls gone crazy obsessive brides who bless their fiance's souls somehow still pull off amazing and beautiful weddings. Now, of course we at BB can never forget about our girls. The bridesmaids. All you bridesmaids have to deal with all the bridezilla drama and headaches. The annoying repetitive phone calls at 5 a.m., the bantering and hollering about whether silver or gold silverware and of course the crys after crys that somehow turn into some sort of silent, head bobbing, ugly cry. Sounds sooooo apealing? Well, we here at BB can promise you THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN. We guarantee that if you are the best bridesmaid you can be, your bride will have nothing to be a zilla about.
Before I dish out the secrets of how to be a calm cool and collected bridesmaid, check out a video clip from the tv show Bridezillas, to give yourself a little bit of motivation inspiration (and even a little bit of fright) to ensure your beloved friend remains your friend post "I do."
Whew, you made it through. Now, I know you must be even more eager for these tips:
What do you do? Take a deep breath and keep in mind that her insanity is only temporary. In the meantime, follow our tips for handling the Knot's seven stressful situations.
Situation 1:
She insists the bridesmaids wear tight, strapless dresses that make everyone feel and look like sausages.
What to do: Unfortunately, the bride has final say when it comes to your frocks, even though you'll be shelling out the cash for them. If she asks for input along the way, it's fine to suggest something more flattering, but if she's made her decision, you'll have to suck it up (and in) with a smile. If you're really bent out of shape, suggesting a pretty cover-up to wear for at least part of the evening may be an agreeable compromise.
Situation 2:
When you ask for a guest list for her bridal shower, she hands over a list of everyone she's ever met since grade school.
What to do: While any number of guests over about 25 is pushing it, complaining about the large number of invitees will only cause unneeded tension between you and the bride. You asked her whom she wanted there and she told you, right? Instead of pushing back, round up more hostesses to help organize and put together the party. This way, you'll have additional resources for the purchasing of food and decorations, not to mention more manpower for things like writing out invitations.
Situation 3:
Your friend harasses you with nonstop chatter about the wedding, and rarely (if ever) inquires about what's going on in your life.
What to do: Don't take it personally. A wedding is a really big deal with endless stress-inducing details. So she needs all the ear time she can get for bouncing off ideas and getting advice. Zip your lips for now and let her unload as much as she needs to. Through it all, keep in mind that it'll be over soon and you'll have your good-listening, interested, fun-loving pal back.
Situation 4:
She's requested that you spend an evening wrapping ribbon around hundreds of little silver bells. The problem is that you're the only one who could make it and it's now three o'clock in the morning.
What to do: At this point, you're not the only one fried. She needs lots of help with menial tasks like this one, and your willingness to pitch in is not only generous, but also comes with being a bridesmaid. But unless the wedding is the following day, don't feel bad about calling it a night. Reassure her that you'll be back to help her finish, and call around for extra hands for next time. If there's no other option but to persevere, give each other five-minute shoulder rubs and put on dance tunes to keep yourselves going.
Situation 5:
When it comes time to plan the bachelorette party, your friend won't budge on any idea other than an extended weekend away at a pricey resort.
What to do: Even though she is the bride, the bachelorette party is a gift from you and her other friends, so while it should be something that she'll enjoy, demanding an expensive vacation is crossing the line. Explain that while you would all love to take her away for an over-the-top trip, it just isn't feasible for everyone. Suggest more affordable accommodations, a destination closer to home, or a shorter stay. Or, tell her that you understand her wishes but that in the end, you'd like to surprise her.
Situation 6:
She insists that the whole bridal party have hair and makeup done for a jaw-dropping fee.
What to do: You might have to grin and bear this one, but first have a heart-to-heart with her. If professionally done hair and makeup is at the top of her list, she may be willing to reconsider costs elsewhere and pony up for your shoes, or acquiesce to lessening the costs of the bridal shower or bachelorette party.
Situation 7:
She puts you at a table where you don't know anyone, except her old Aunt Martha, who you only just met briefly at the rehearsal dinner.
What to do: Strike up a conversation with Aunt Martha and charm the rest of the guests too, because your job is also partly to play host. There's a good chance that your friend put you at this table because she knows how wonderful you are with strangers, and these may be the folks who don't know anyone. So put on a bright smile and make them all feel welcome.
Remember to just keep in mind that this is not YOUR day. If you go in with that mindset you will let the bride's decisions (however terrible and tacky you may think they are)be the decisions as you will know it is what would make her most happy for her big day. However, also keep in mind that you are not the brides personal slave. For situations that you think you are being taken advantage of, speak up, but only in a way that is not attacking and diminimizing as the bride is so stressed she does not need anything else on her plate.
Remember why you were asked to be in the wedding. You are a special part of your friend's life and it is an honor to be by her side on the big day. Therefore, if you are there every step of the way, the bride has nothing to freak about, and trust me when I say you don't want a bride freaking.
We hope these tips were helpful and I have every bit of faith in you that you will be a Blushing Bridesmaid on the big day, instead of running for the hills from the bridezilla.
Time is ticking ladies! Brides may think that they have all this time to plan their wedding, but beware-- weddings come and go like a blink of an eye. A bride's biggest fear is to forget something huge, but what about the little details? Bridesmaids that's where you come in.
The bride picked YOU to be in her wedding party because she trusts and adores you. She is counting on you to reduce her stress level and liven things up with your positive attitude. The Knot gives a great top ten list of things brides often forget. These are things they never think of because they are worrying about venues, food, dresses, guests, the reception, etc. Help your girl out by reviewing this list and reminding your bride not to forget these important things.
Remember-- you are your bride's support network. Don't let her worry about the small stuff. Be there to help her every step of the way and her special day will be so much sweeter thanks to your help. Go get em' BB's :)
Duties. Expenses. Etiquette. What do you do when there's dissent amongst the bridesmaids or when "Bridezilla" loses her cool? The Knot answers the basic bridesmaid questions and provides insight for what to do in a given situation.
Every wedding is different, and your bride should tell you what she expects of you and the other members of the wedding party. If one of the bridesmaids is slacking on her duties, confidentially bring it up to the bride and let her handle the situation. Agreeing to be a bridesmaid does not mean you can't provide input, but it does mean that you acknowledge that this is the bride's big day. Your job is to have fun making her special day unforgettable.
It's the big day. The bridal party is all met and getting ready to be
dolled and pampered, the champagne is poured and the bride is wearing a
beaming smile. Yet, even though squeals and laughter is bursting
throughout the room, there is still something missing. A perfect
playlist full of the perfect wedding songs to get the wedding party even
more excited. As a bridesmaid be one step ahead and fill up your iPod
with a playlist of songs to listen to the morning of
your wedding -- you know, while you're excitedly getting your hair and
makeup done with the bride and fellow bridesmaids. Here is a classic
list provided by The Knot that will sure to set the mood!
"Going to the Chapel" by The Crystals
"Chapel of Love" by The Beach Boys
"Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra
"Get Me to the Church on Time" from My Fair Lady
"White Wedding" by Billy Idol
"Plan on Forever" by Sue Ann Carwell & Mervyn Warren
"I Do (Cherish You)" by 98 Degrees
"Wedding Day" by Bee Gees
"(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" by Darlene Love
"It Had to Be You" by Harry Connick Jr.
"A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
"You're the One That I Want" from Grease
"I Say a Little Prayer" by Dionne Warwick or Aretha Franklin
Nowadays, most couples create a registry of the items they would like to receive for their wedding. Sure you could buy the happy couple a blender, stainless steel cookware or a new Keurig (sidenote: the bread machine is the most-returned wedding gift, avoid it at all costs). There's absolutely nothing wrong with buying something from the registry, the couple has already said that they want that specific item. But if you want to do something a little extra, here are few more personal gifts.
This is such a cute idea and a great memento from the wedding. Take one of the wedding invitations and turn it into a decoration. You have several options, such as simply framing it so that it can hang on the wall or having it printed on a throw pillow. Another great choice is to make it into a decoupage plate. The couple will be daily reminded of their wedding and the loving friend that gave them such a sentimental gift.
An engraved photo album is also a great option. It captures all of the wonderful moments of the big day and preserves those memories for years to come. Make sure to write in the names of guests, the place of the wedding and any cute or memorable experiences of that day. I like the more rustic look of this example, with the wooden-like cover that looks carved.
Event tickets are a fun alternative or add-on to a registry gift. Whether it's to a basketball game, broadway show or concert it's a great pre-paid date for the newlyweds. Just make sure it's an event that both the bride and groom will enjoy going to together, and one that they can have time to put into their busy schedules.
Honeymoon gifts are always appreciated. Some ideas are couples snorkeling at sunset, couples massages and sailing lessons. Find out where the couple is honeymooning, what amenities the resort or hotel offers and what the couple would be interested in doing.
Hope these ideas helped you in your search for the perfect wedding gift. Whether you stick with the registry or add on some personal touches remember to write a sweet and meaningful card congratulating the newlyweds and telling them how honored you are to be a part of their special day.
Bridesmaid etiquette is simple, yet many women who are asked to be bridesmaids worry about the rules and manners that come with this role. These are some basic guidelines that will help you be a well-mannered, elegant and level-headed bridesmaid, but remember that the bride is one of your closest friends. As long as you're there for her and supporting her, you're doing just fine.
1. Respond to your invitation to be a bridesmaid as soon as possible. I cannot stress this enough. Also, let the bride know when you're available to go dress shopping with her or any other tasks. Find out when the wedding will be and safeguard that day from any and all other activities. If there is a date that you absolutely cannot be available, let her know. The last thing any bride wants to worry about it a no-show bridesmaid. If you agree to be her bridesmaid, you do not necessarily need to send an RSVP, so keep your official invite as a cute memento for your scrapbook.
2. You will be expected to pay for your own dress, accessories, travel and lodging expenses. If you have any financial issues with this, talk to your bride and let her know the situation. Something can always be worked out, so don't sweat the small stuff.
3. The bride will be picking out your dress, hair and maybe even makeup for the big day. Whether it's the most beautiful dress or hideous dress you could ever imagine, wear it with confidence and pride. If you're worried about the bride's taste, offer your advice. But remember, she gets to decide.
4. As the bridesmaid, you will most likely be expected to organize the bridal shower. Make sure to ask the bride for suggestions of where she would like it to be, who she wants to see there and what kind of food and drinks she would like. Book the venue and make arrangements for decorations and food in advance. Last minute planning will only bring stress.
5. Be outgoing and friendly. Get to know the other members of the wedding party and work together to create a beautiful and harmonious ceremony for the happy couple. At the wedding, you are a secondary hostess. Make pleasant conversations with the guests and even hit the dance floor. Just be cautious if there is an open bar. Don't be that girl that's had too much. Enjoy yourself, but keep it classy.
6. Be the bride's right hand. You will be participating in preparing for the wedding, so make sure you're at every event (and on time). That means not only the engagement party, wedding rehearsal and bridal shower but also dress shopping, looking at venues and anything else the bride asks you to do.
7. Don't be on time, be early. On the bride's wedding day, be ready to go before she is. It's your job to help her get ready and look and feel beautiful on her special day, so you need to get ready in advance.
8. Compliment the bride, reassure her about how she looks and feels. This is her big day, so make her feel comfortable and special.
9. Sign the wedding guestbook. The couple will keep this as a memento. You're one of their honored guests so of course they want to see your name in there :)
10. During the ceremony, you will be standing to the left of and slightly behind the bride and maid of honor. Be quiet, patient and pay attention. Do not yawn, grimace, fidget, play with your hair, etc. Quietly show the bride and groom how happy you are for them by letting them be the center of attention and admiration. This is the beginning of their new life, so relax and smile knowing that you've helped them make their journey to the altar.
Want to show the bride some love? One word: flowers.
Flowers are one of the key components to bridal showers, weddings and wedding receptions. Not to mention, their presence just livens up a room and brings a smile to the recipient. Whether you're in charge of decorations, the bouquet or you just want to treat the bride to a beautiful flower arrangement, there are some things you should know. Don't just pick the prettiest flowers, but also the ones with the most meaning. Here's a quick overview of popular wedding flowers, their meanings and what certain colors represent. Not only will flowers brighten up the bride's day, but you can also use the meaning that flower and its color represents to send the bride an inspiring and personalized gift.
Colors are important; choose the bride's favorite color or pick out a color that represents something meaningful.
1) The gardenia, a symbol of joy and beauty, comes in white and pale yellow with a romantic and intoxicating scent.
2) The hydrangea represents perseverance and comes in a variety of colors including white and various shades of blue, green, pink and burgundy. They are scentless shrub flowers and are excellent for filling out arrangements.
3) The ranunculus symbolizes radiance and comes in shades of pink, orange, yellow and white that are sure to dazzle any bride.
4) The stephanotis is a star-shaped and dainty white flower that represents good luck and marital happiness. A stephanotis bouquet is the most traditional, timeless and classic bouquet a bride can have.
5) The tulip symbolizes consuming love and happy years and can be used to enhance any arrangement. It comes in a wide variety of colors including pink, peach, red, purple, magenta and yellow.
6) The calla lily exemplifies magnificent beauty and is an all-time favorite for weddings because of it's delicate and beautiful features. White or cream is its most popular variation, but the flower also comes in yellow, orange, pink and dark purple.
7) Sweet peas represent lasting pleasure and have a candy-like scent. They come in a wide range of pinks and purples and make for lovely and fun arrangements.
8) This list would not be complete without the rose, the universal symbol of beauty, love and passion. Classic and timeless, the rose comes in various forms and can now be found in a wide variety of colors. Go traditional with the classic red or mix it up with white or pink. There are also striped and bicolor roses available at most florists, giving this classic flower a new twist.
Remember, never underestimate the meaning of flowers.
You have come to the right place! Being asked to be in a friend or families wedding is a great honor. There are so many cute ways that future brides are asking their loved and closed friends to be in their wedding. Below is a picture of how my sister got asked to be in one of her best friend's wedding.
This extra and cute initiative will make any friend excited to join in on the special day. The feeling of excitement and wanting to be there for their friend is a feeling I am sure a lot of newly asked bridesmaids may feel. However, the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed as to so much that has to be done may be a feeling possessed as well. The bridal shower, the bachelorette party, the gifts, buying the shoes, visiting venues, keeping the bride from becoming stressed and more are just some of the tasks that will be asked from you as your duty of being a bridesmaid. Therefore I only felt it was fitting to make our first official Blushing Bridesmaids (woo) blog be about the first key things to remember/do during your first weeks of being a bridesmaid.
1.) Remember this day isn't all about you.
Getting this frame of mind from the very beginning is a good way to start. This is your friends day she has been dreaming of her whole entire life. So, if she wants you to wear a purple and yellow taffeta dress (if Katherine Heigel can wear all 27 hideous dresses you can too) for who even knows what reason, suck it up and think in a couple of months the jokes you can make. You may have a a future bride that is legitimately nuts, but remember to keep the perspective that she just wants everything to go perfectly. Therefore, if you help her as much as you can the wedding will go as smooth as she dreamt about and you won't have nightmares about your friend being a bridezilla.
2.) Meet with other bridesmaids and organize yourselves.
This is one of the best things you and the other bridesmaids can do. Having a meeting so you all can be on the same page can really eliminate any future stress and/or tension that may arise down the road. Make lists of who is going to be in charge of what. Having 13 girls throw a bridal shower is never ideal. The saying "too many cooks in the kitchen" wont even suffice to the amount of girl drama that can come from that. Therefore, make little committees amongst the bridesmaids. The two main things that the bridesmaids have to do is throw a bridal shower and bachelorette party. After you have those two events planned, make sure a bridesmaid is with the bride every step of the way. Decide on who is going to go to the cake tasting day, the final fittings, the floral appointments and everything in between. Organization is key to the process of being a bridesmaid, so if you start it at the very beginning I can guarantee happy bridesmaids and most importantly happy bridesmaids.
3.) Think creativity not breaking your bank account.
It is no surprise that weddings cost an incredible amount of money, and I am not just talking about for the bride and groom. Between buying all the gifts the bill really stacks up. Now, throw in being a bridesmaid and add a couple more zeros. However, this doesn't have to be the case. You can be the best bridesmaid without going broke if you put in a little more effort and remember to be creative. There are hundreds of ideas (which we will explore on our website) of gifts that are more meaningful than buying something really expensive. Think about things in more of a "what would make this occasion more memorable" type of way instead of buying the typical china dishes or crock pot that will sit in the pantry for years. If you start thinking early of creative gifts you will feel more proud of the gift you are giving also with out the feeling of guilt because your month's salary wasn't spent.
4.) Be open to communication, in fact be the key communicator. Be a good communicator with information. Many times information prior to weddings does not reach everyone. Friends will appreciate confirming plans of each shower and party as well as wedding day information. The bride has thousands of things to do and the last thing she needs to worry about is worrying that her bridesmaids don't know what to do or where to be. Keep your ears extra open and your planners always at hand so you don't miss a thing.
5.) If you don't think she needs help, help anyways.
Chances are your bride is going to have a break down, stress attack or cry throughout the wedding planning process, and when I say chances I actually mean it WILL happen. She is going to say she can do everything, because as the bride you want to be a part of every step. However, when reality sets in and it is 12 at night and the favors still aren't finished and the bride realizes she doesn't have 35 hands to finish them in time, this is where you NEED to come in. Always offer to help even if she says she can do it all. Make sure you tell her you are not trying to make her decisions you are just trying to be her extra hands when she needs them.
6.) Know your duties. Know your boundaries.
There are a lot of tasks you have to do throughout the wedding, but again it is vital to remember this is not your special day. If you have advice, depending on your friend, by all means share it. BUT do not cross the line of making your advice become decisions and they way things have to be done. If you start telling the bride all things are bad, you will make one upset friend. Know what you have to do, without overstepping your bridesmaid duty. If you haven't had a wedding yet, your time will come to make all these decisions, and if you have had a wedding already, you should most definitely know how you would feel if one of your bridesmaid went control crazy.
7.) Don't be the drama.
Put this in your head right now ladies, heck tattoo it on your arm. It is beyond important to remember to say no to the drama, save the drama for ya mamma, or to even quote the Black Eyed Peas "No-no drama no-no-no-no drama." Yes, I understand there is going to be a lot of females throughout this process and this can only mean a lot of emotions. However, if you remember from the beginning to just avoid the drama you will stand next to the bride on her big day happy as can be knowing that there is not a stress in the world. There are going to be times of course, where you are not going to agree with everyone, or there is going to be that one girl that just keeps getting under your skin. Just remember that this day means so much to your dear friend, walk away and realize it is not worth it to start drama. And if that doesn't work, check out our drama free bridesmaids tips we will soon be posting!
8.) Enjoy this time.
Even with all the above guidelines above, this time is exciting and momentous for you as the bridesmaid as well. You weren't asked to be a part of the wedding just because, you were asked because you are obviously very close to the bride and mean a lot to her. So, share in the excitement and love that your friend is embarking on. Be excited, be enthusiastic and most importantly don't forget how lucky you are to have such a good friend in your life. Even when I say this day isn't all about you, it is a day for you to have fun and be overwhelmed with the love around you.
The wedding process, believe it or not does, go quickly, so if you remember these eight steps, and go into this process with an open and optimistic mind, I ensure you this will be a magical day and process for you.
One of my best friends is currently trying to prepare a speech to give at her sister's wedding. She's so excited but there's just one problem, she's terrified of public speaking. While trying to reassure her that she is completely capable of overcoming this feat, I found some great advice on Bridesmaids Speeches Review. It's completely normal to be nervous about a speech, but you shouldn't let your fears of public speaking overcome you. With these tips, a little practice and a dose of confidence, you'll be able to effectively deliver the perfect bridesmaid speech without losing your nerves (i.e. fainting). Remember, this is your time to give the bride and groom your congratulations and your blessings. Don't look at your speech as a task or nightmare but rather as an honor and privilege. I have faith in you, now you just need to have some faith in yourself :)
