Bridesmaids at the wedding, groomsmen at the wedding. Probably many of you have wondered more than once what bridesmaids really do at a wedding. Where did this tradition come from in Poland and what distinguishes the bridesmaid from the best man? Should a groomsman be present at a wedding? We will answer these and many other questions in today's post.

Bridesmaid duties at a wedding

A bridesmaid is a young woman, usually a close friend or relative of the bride, who helps during the preparations and on the wedding day. It is worth noting that there can be one, two or more bridesmaids (then it is usually a group of friends or sisters). Custom dictates that the bridesmaids at the wedding should stand out from the rest of the wedding guests. The clothing must refer to the Bride's dress (e.g. cut, material, type of frills, etc.).

Bridesmaids at a wedding

What does the bridesmaid do? Before the wedding, the maid of honor's duties include: helping the bride choose a dress, shoes, accessories, hairstyle, makeup, etc. and organization of a hen party. During the wedding, the bridesmaids help the bride get ready, and then accompany her throughout the ceremony, assist her, hold the veil or train, etc. Bridesmaids are, in a word, the bride's bodyguard 😉 During the wedding, bridesmaids should entertain the guests, ask them to dance and ensure a good atmosphere in the hall.

Groomsmen at the wedding. Duties of the best man

This question is very simple, but only if we have already explained who the bridesmaids are at the wedding. A best man is simply the male equivalent of a bridesmaid. It also accompanies the wedding and reception, but also assists and helps in the preparations of the groom. What does the best man do at a wedding? To a large extent, it depends on the individual situation of each Bride and Groom, but he should always offer good advice and a helping hand.

Best man vs witness - what are the main differences?

• There can be only one witness (one for the groom and one for the bride), bridesmaids and groomsmen, but many,
• The presence of witnesses is required by law, both for church and civil weddings. The presence of the best man refers to wedding traditions and customs and is not required at the wedding.
• Witnesses play a very important role only before and during the wedding, during the wedding they can already relax. The best man assists both before, during and during the wedding reception.

Is it worth having bridesmaids/groomsmen at a wedding?

It seems to be supported by both practical and aesthetic aspects. As Joanna Hoc-Kopiej, a wedding expert at Dwór Korona Karkonoszy, states: “The bridesmaids at the wedding look beautiful, for example during wedding in the garden or a beautifully decorated church. The retinue of girls in identical dresses and wreaths, assisting the bride, is like a fairy tale. The best man is also support for the bride and groom - both mental and real help in pre-wedding preparations and during the reception. In our opinion, the best man at the wedding is invaluable help and a great souvenir for years. It is worth taking care of the groomsmen and bridesmaids at the wedding well in advance.