Photo: Kenzie Victory via Hummingbird Events & Design
Keep in mind their specific strengths and interests when assigning tasks. "Make your wedding crew feel truly special by involving them in the planning process. Assign specific roles and tasks to each member based on their strengths and interests. Whether it's helping with DIY projects, providing fashion advice, coordinating activities during the wedding weekend, or suggesting unique entertainment ideas, involving them directly shows your trust and appreciation for their contributions. By including your wedding party in the planning, you not only demonstrate your gratitude but also strengthen the bonds and create lasting memories. Their involvement will make them even more excited and invested in making your wedding day extraordinary." —Taylor Brione Ballard, CWP, Experiences By Taylor Brione
Get your bridal party to provide their two cents on the little details. "There are so many small ways to incorporate your bridal party that make a big impact such as tapping them in to create inspiration playlists for pre and post events, naming (or tasting!) your specialty cocktail(s), or providing suggestions for items to add to your wedding registry." —Miranda Archer, Principal Planner, Fremont Group
Host a planning process get-together. "The role of a bridal party extends far beyond simply standing by your side during the ceremony. You have a veritable army of helpers by your side to support you throughout the planning process! As you prepare to send out your invitations, host a fun get-together with your crew that includes wine and fun movies as you move through an assembly line of stuffing, sealing and stamping envelopes." —Mandy Connor, Owner, Hummingbird Events & Design
Have a hype-up night for the groom. "There's a tendency in the wedding planning process to focus on brides, but grooms, this is your day, too! It's a common practice for brides to bring bridesmaids, family members, or friends along with them to try on wedding dresses, so why not apply that same principle to the groom? Generation Tux offers a free Home Try-On for the groom — plan a fun night, invite your wedding party, and let the arrival of your tux at your doorstep be the cue that it’s time to gear up for the wedding! Order some pizzas, toast to the upcoming wedding, and give your wedding party a gentle nudge to order their attire. It's fun getting hyped up by your crew for your big day!" —Jason Jackson, President & COO, Generation Tux
Ask your bridal party what they've loved about past weddings they've attended. "Ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to email you a favorite experience or detail about a wedding they've been to, been in or seen published. This simple request could help you make a planning decision you've been worried over. Sometimes all you need is just a little affirmation to follow through on an idea you already have." —Heather Durham Photography, LLC
Photo: Lindsay Blair Photography via Luxe Event Productions
Get their feedback on attire. "If you're going to ask your bridal party to wear specific attire on your wedding day, it's only fair that you include their feedback in the selection process. I suggest pulling together a few options for dresses and suits/tuxes and then polling the group for feedback. You want them to look and feel their best as they stand by your side." —Mandy Connor, Owner, Hummingbird Events & Design
Get help collecting RSVPs. "You can also ask them to help reach out to friends that are guests who may not have RSVP'd on time to get them to submit their RSVP." —Kari Dirksen Smith, CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Studio
Ask them to help build your playlist. "There are a ton of ways your wedding party can help with the wedding planning process! Aside from the traditional tasks of dress shopping or bachelorette planning, one idea I love is for the bridal party to collect favorite songs from the guest list to help build the playlist for the DJ or band." —Kari Dirksen Smith, CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Studio
Bring your maid of honor along to your final dress fitting. "I strongly recommend that you take your maid of honor with you to your final wedding dress fitting. This individual will likely help with bustling your gown on your wedding day and it's vital that they learn how beforehand. Bustles can be extremely complicated." —Mandy Connor, Owner, Hummingbird Events & Design
Put your crew in charge of wedding morning necessities! "Lastly, put them in charge of breakfast and/or lunch items on the day of the wedding. Making sure there is enough water, snacks, and food to keep everyone hydrated and well fed. It's key to have those items wherever you are getting ready and at the venue if you will be there early for photos and the bar is not open. Have them pack a cooler and let them handle it!" —Kari Dirksen Smith, CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Studio
Photo: Heather Durham Photography
Create fun moments together throughout the planning process. "Engage your bridal party in unique ways during wedding planning. Some ideas include: invite them to a menu tasting panel for feedback, coordinate a surprise dance routine for added excitement, let them plan your bachelor or bachelorette party, have a DIY décor party where everyone can contribute their creativity, host an invitation assembly party where you can personalize invitations together, include your bridal party in the wedding cake tasting process to gather their input, and create personalized wedding favors through a fun crafting session. These activities and approaches foster unity and create memorable experiences and strengthen the bond among your bridal party." —Misty Damico, Luxe Event Productions
Gift them something custom to show your appreciation. "Personalized gifts for bridal party work so well and definitely make them feel cherished and special! Monogrammed beach towels, hoodies, beach towels and necklaces are great ideas for the women. Initial cufflinks, custom bobbleheads or bags work amazing for the men." —Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides
Don’t forget to check in with each member to see how they’re feeling about helping out! "You choose your wedding party for a reason — they're your besties and you value their support and guidance! For this reason, consider them your A-Team roster for wedding planning delegation when you need it. Planning a wedding is no easy feat; the details are endless and along with any pressure you may be feeling from other factors in the process, having some helpers is a blessing. Think about the strengths of each person in your party and assign tasks accordingly. But beware — being part of a wedding party can be a significant time and financial commitment as it is, so consider doing a quick pulse check with each person to ensure they have the time to devote to taking some tasks off your list. No one wants to come off like a demanding bride- or groom-zilla!" —Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning
