Bridesmaid facts for kids
Bridesmaids are special friends or family members who help the bride on her wedding day. They are usually young women. They are part of the bride's group at a wedding.
The main bridesmaid is often called the maid of honor (if she's not married) or matron of honor (if she is married). A junior bridesmaid is a younger girl who is still part of the group. In the United States, the maid or matron of honor often signs the official wedding papers.
Many weddings have more than one bridesmaid. The bride chooses how many people to ask. Long ago, having many bridesmaids showed how important and wealthy a family was. Today, the number depends on what the bride wants and how many friends or family members she has. Some couples today choose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen at all.
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The male version of a bridesmaid is a groomsman. Sometimes they are called ushers, especially in the United Kingdom. In the United States, groomsmen help the groom, while ushers help guests find their seats. These are often different people.
In some countries, like Norway or France, bridesmaids used to be small girls. They would carry flowers during the wedding. In modern English-speaking countries, these little girls are called flower girls. This role is separate from a grown-up bridesmaid.
What do bridesmaids do?
Bridesmaids have a few important jobs. They need to attend the wedding ceremony. They also help the bride on her wedding day. In Europe and North America, bridesmaids often help the bride plan the wedding.
They might also help plan fun events before the wedding. These can include a bridal shower or a bachelorette party. However, these extra activities are optional. Bridesmaids are not required to host parties or buy expensive dresses they cannot afford. If there is a special lunch for bridesmaids, the bride usually plans and pays for it.
Being a bridesmaid can sometimes cost money. This is because they might pay for their own clothes or travel. Brides often give gifts to their bridesmaids to say thank you. These gifts show appreciation for their help and support.
It's a good idea for someone asked to be a bridesmaid to ask about the costs first. This way, they can decide if they can afford the time and money needed. In some American weddings, bridesmaids might spend a lot of money. Travel for destination weddings can be a big expense.
What is a Maid of Honor?
In the United Kingdom, the term "maid of honour" used to mean a female helper for a queen. Now, "bridesmaid" is used for all helpers. If the main helper is married, she might be called a 'matron of honour'.
In North America, the 'maid of honor' is the bride's main helper. This person is usually her closest friend or sister. Sometimes, a bride might choose a male friend or brother for this role. They might be called a 'best man' or 'man of honor'.
The maid of honor's main job is to be there for the wedding. She often helps the bride with wedding plans. This can include addressing invitations. She might also go with the bride to shop for her wedding dress.
The maid of honor also helps lead the other bridesmaids. She might plan the bridal shower. This includes invitations, decorations, and games. She also helps plan the bachelorette party. This can involve arranging travel or places to stay.
On the wedding day, the maid of honor gives support to the bride. She might help the bride get dressed. She can also help with the bride's veil, flowers, or dress train. Sometimes, she holds the groom's wedding ring until the ceremony. Many brides ask their maid of honor to sign the marriage license as a witness. If there is a party after the wedding, the maid of honor might give a toast to the new couple.
Where did bridesmaids come from?
The idea of bridesmaids in Western weddings has a long history. It likely came from many things. These include a family's social standing and how many people were in the family. Religion and how people socialized also played a part.
Some people think the idea comes from the Hebrew Bible. In the story of Jacob, his two wives, Leah and Rachel, each had their own helpers. These helpers were more like servants than friends.
In ancient times, the bride and all the bridesmaids wore the same clothes. They also covered their faces. This was to confuse jealous people or bad spirits. It made it harder to tell who the bride was.
In ancient China, brides could be kidnapped at weddings. Bridesmaids dressed like the bride to protect her. This made it harder for kidnappers to find the real bride. As laws about marriage became stronger, this was no longer needed. The bridesmaid's role then became more symbolic.
During the Victorian era, white was a popular color for both bridesmaids and groomsmen. This trend started when Queen Victoria wore a long white wedding dress. Her bridesmaids also wore white to match her gown.
See also
In Spanish: Dama de honor para niños
