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Wedding Accessories Knowledge Base - What is a bridesmaid?
The bridesmaids are members of the bride's
wedding party in a wedding. A bridesmaid is typically a
young woman, and often a close friend or sister. She attends
to the bride on the day of a wedding or marriage ceremony.
Traditionally, bridesmaids were chosen from unwed young
women of marriageable age.
The principal bridesmaid, if one is so
designated, may be called the chief bridesmaid or maid of
honor if she is unmarried, or the matron of honor if she
is married. A junior bridesmaid is a girl who is clearly
too young to be marriageable, but who is included as an
honorary bridesmaid.
Often there is more than one bridesmaid:
in modern times the bride chooses how many to ask. Historically,
no person of status went out unattended, and the size of
the retinue was closely calculated to be appropriate to
the family's social status. Then, as now, a large group
of bridesmaids provided an opportunity for showing off the
family's social status and wealth.
The required duties of bridesmaids are
very limited.They are required to attend the wedding ceremony
and to assist the bride on the day of the wedding. Bridesmaids
in Europe and North America are often asked to assist the
bride with planning the wedding and a wedding reception.
In modern times, a bridesmaid is also typically asked to
play a role in planning wedding-related events, such as
a bridal shower or bachelorette party, if there are any.
These, however, are optional activities; according to etiquette
expert Judith Martin, "Contrary to rumor, bridesmaids
are not obliged to entertain in honor of the bride, nor
to wear dresses they cannot afford." If it is customary
in the bride's area to have a bridesmaids luncheon, then
it is hosted, and therefore organized and paid for, by the
bride.A junior bridesmaid has no responsibilities beyond
attending the wedding.
Since modern bridesmaids, unlike their
historical counterparts, can no longer rely on having their
clothes and travel expenses paid for by the bride's family,
and are sometimes even assessed fees to pay for parties
that the bride wants to have before the wedding, it has
become customary for the bride to present the bridesmaids
with gifts as a sign of gratitude for the support and financial
commitment that comes with their roles. It has become equally
customary for wary women who are invited to serve as bridesmaids
to first ask after the amount of time, energy, and money
that the bride intends before accepting this position.
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