Bridesmaids Big Day

Plan Ahead. Don't leave stuff for the last minute. The night before the wedding, make sure your dress, accessories, and other necessities (like cosmetics and toiletries) are in order.

Get There Early. Ask the bride what time she'd like you to arrive. She is counting on you and doesn't need the extra stress of wondering whether a bridesmaid has gone AWOL.

Offer to help. There are countless chores and errands that need to be done in the hours before the wedding, from helping the bride get dressed, to fetching people for photographs. Ask the bride, her mother, the maid-of-honor, or the wedding coordinator what you can do to help.

Congratulate the Bride. This seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people forget this extra nicety. Before the wedding chaos ensues, take a moment to congratulate the bride (it doesn't hurt to tell her how beautiful she looks, either). If you'd rather express mushy sentiments in writing than face-to-face, give the bride a congratulatory card she and the groom will treasure forever. Also, be sure to congratulate the groom too, after the ceremony!

Capture the Moment. Make sure to snap pictures of the bride getting ready for the wedding. The official photographer often does not document these special moments.

Enjoy the Ceremony. During the ceremony, stand up straight, keep your flowers up, and enjoy the moment.

Make Sure the Bride is OK. In the midst of the reception, you may catch the bride stuck talking to a particularly tedious relative (go over to rescue her), fretting about which songs the band is playing (reassure her everything sounds great), trying to snag something to eat or drink (bring her some refreshments), or fussing with her dress or headpiece (help her if she wants to remove her veil or pin up the bustle on her dress). It's your job to make her as comfortable as possible.

It's Not Over . . . Until the last guest goes home. Stay at the party until the end (or as close to the end as you can muster) to show the bride that you care. Offer to help with any remaining little tasks (helping carry gifts to the car or escorting older guests to the parking lot, for example). Be sure to also personally congratulate the parents of the bride and the groom, and tell them how beautiful the wedding was.