Congrats - you've been chosen as the bride's right-hand woman. No idea where to start? You need to read this…
The Planning Process
If you're not already best friends with Pinterest, make it so. It's not only a procrastinator's dream but a brilliant way to show the bride that you're investing in her dream day. PLUS you can draw her attention to all the hot bridesmaid dresses out there.
Alert your loved ones to the fact that for the duration of the wedding planning process, you will be called upon to advise on flowers/photographers/stationery etc at short notice. And by that we mean the bride showing up unannounced at your door.
Help yourself by penciling in dedicated days spent with the bride and agree beforehand what you'll aim to book by the end of that time.
Spend time learning what the groom wants on his wedding day as you're set to become chief mediator between the bride and her fella, and unless you guide them towards the glory of compromise, there might not be a wedding conga at all.
Bringing out your bad cop routine at venue tours and dress fittings is vital to help your best friend (undoubtedly still in an engagement haze) avoid getting taken for a ride. When it comes to haggling a price or asking for extras… Take. No. Prisoners.
The Hen Do
It's time to dig deep to find the Monica Geller within you - the success of a Brit bachelorette depends on cutthroat decision-making, especially if the guest list is gargantuan, so pick a date and location early on and stick to it.
Pre-empt any questions that the guests may have and answer them first by sending out a Q and A email, including info on what needs to be paid upfront, what activities they can opt in and out of and what they each need to bring along.
As much as you might love a good game of 'stick the manhood on the groom-to-be', keep in mind you're throwing this party for someone else. Any self-respecting CB will consult her bestie on date, theme and level of vulgarity at the very least.
Take a look at some celeb hen parties inspiration.
The week before
No matter how organised the bride has been, some things can't be done too far in advance, so pull your sleeves up and get ready to DIY last-minute decorations like a Blue Peter presenter during a HIIT class.
Too many mac 'n' cheeses do not a slimline bridesmaid make, so now is the time to try on your slinky dress that fit perfectly months ago - the morning of the wedding is not. A week should be enough time to make some hem tweaks.
The beauty experts will tell you that a bride's pre-wedding prep should kick off a few days prior to showtime so book her in for tanning, manicures and lash extensions. Ain't no reason you can't join in, of course.
If the bride hasn't freaked out already, she will now.
It's inevitable. So be prepared to haul ass to her house with a list of funny non-wedding related YouTube videos, Rescue Remedy and vat of wine (drink responsibly and all that).
The Big Day
Hold your hands out in front of your body and look down towards them. See those bad boys? For one day only, they belong to your best friend. They will refresh her lipstick, pin her hair back, hold the bouquet during the ceremony, feed her snacks and rearrange/carry her train as necessary.
Whether it's down to super-snug underwear or endless layers of tulle, we've seen many battles commence between wedding dress and toilet cubicle. It is your duty to charge like a knight in shining armour and help your friend maneuver herself into a successful peeing position without fully stripping off.
If there are any cute yet unruly flowergirls and pageboys on the scene, you'll be expected to do a Pippa Middleton and take control. Nothing works like confectionery-based bribery, so stock up on pic 'n' mix and let them know the score.
For once, your overzealous attitude towards hitting the dancefloor will pay off, as it's custom for the chief bridesmaid and best man to join the bride and groom halfway through their first dance.
But the biggest and best duty of being chief bridesmaid? Drink in the fun and party with your best friend as, if everything goes to plan, she'll only get married once.
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