26/11/2025
The Roles of Bridesmaids on Your Wedding Day
Have you just got engaged and now need to start planning your wedding? How exciting! First of all, congratulations! A wedding is a wonderful occasion to celebrate with your friends and family. It’s true that organising everything for the big day takes a lot of work, but you certainly don’t have to do it all on your own. That’s exactly why the role of bridesmaids exists—something you’ve probably heard about countless times in both real and fictional weddings. But do you actually know what bridesmaids are really there for?
Your bridesmaids are the people you trust most—those who will accompany you throughout the entire planning process and even on the day of the ceremony itself. Today, we’re sharing everything you need to know about this key role played by your bridesmaids on one of the most important days of your life.
How many bridesmaids should you have?
Bridesmaids are not just there to look lovely in your photos. Choosing them is an important decision, as they’ll be the ones supporting you throughout the whole journey leading up to your big “I do”. So, how many bridesmaids should you have? Traditionally, people suggest one bridesmaid for every fifty guests, but the truth is much simpler: choose the people you trust the most. That way, the whole process will be far easier for you.
Below, we outline the four most common and important roles that bridesmaids usually take on:
Helping with the planning
Before the wedding day arrives, there’s a long list of preparations and countless details to sort out. A lovely part of the bridesmaids’ role is accompanying the couple during all of this. They’re there to help with anything the bride and groom may need, and each one can contribute according to her strengths. Perhaps you have a friend who’s great at dancing and can help choreograph your first dance, or a creative friend who’ll give you brilliant advice on invitation design, the seating plan, menus, and more.
If you’re a bride who loves crafts and wants to personalise everything, that’s wonderfu —but remember, you don’t need to do it alone. Depending on the guest list, the workload can quickly become more than expected. Can you imagine wrapping 200 wedding favours by yourself? Share these moments with your bridesmaids— you’ll build beautiful memories and make the task far more fun and efficient.
Choosing the bride’s dress (and the bridesmaids’ dresses)
Choosing the perfect wedding dress is a very special moment. You need to be surrounded by the people who know you best—those who will give you honest opinions and focus on what truly suits you, setting aside personal tastes.
A useful tip when choosing your dress is not to experiment too much with styles you don’t normally wear. Stick to the cuts and accessories that truly represent you. For example, if you don’t usually wear a strapless neckline, you may not feel like yourself—even if the dress looks stunning. And on a day when all eyes will be on you, the most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable in your dress, shoes and accessories. This is where your bridesmaids come in: they’ll guide you and help you make this essential decision.
As for selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses, this can be a really fun experience. Can you imagine how enjoyable it will be to go shopping together? You can choose one colour and let each bridesmaid pick the style that suits her best, or go for the more traditional option of having everyone wear the same dress. It’s something you should decide as a group.
Planning the hen party
One of the most eagerly anticipated moments for the bride and her friends is the hen party. What exactly does it involve? It’s a tradition in which the bride’s friends and family organise a surprise celebration to mark the end of her single life.
The planning will depend on many factors, but one thing is essential: the bride’s tastes must always come first. Decide whether the celebration will last just one evening, a whole day, a weekend, and what activities you’ll include. For instance, you might prepare a list of fun challenges for the bride, arrange a spa day at Montíboli Hotel, a skincare session, or even a trip to a theme park if she’s more adventurous. It can be anything from a short European getaway to a cosy rural retreat nearby—the important thing is being together and enjoying the moment.
Being your right hand on the big day
You’ve likely heard of the wedding planner—a professional we truly recommend, as she makes both the day and the preparations much easier. However, even if you have a wedding planner, it’s always comforting to have your bridesmaids by your side. They’re the friends who will be there for you, helping with everything a wedding planner simply can’t do.
Imagine you’re wearing a dress with a long train and suddenly need to go to the loo—who’s going to help you? Do you have a second dress? Who keeps your phone, your fan, or anything else you might need? This is why bridesmaids are so important: they’re there to assist you with absolutely everything. They’ll probably be carrying an emergency kit with all the essentials for any unexpected situation.
Organising a wedding is incredibly exciting, especially when you share the journey with the people who mean the most to you—your loved ones, including your bridesmaids. But it’s also true that it can become stressful, which is why, on such an important day, you need to be sure you have the best professionals by your side. At Hotel Montíboli, we have everything necessary to make your big day unforgettable, with every detail carefully designed to suit your taste perfectly.
