Wedding witness & bridesmaids

You are at a key moment in your wedding organization, the choice of Wedding witnesses and bridesmaids.

But you wonder what the difference is between the two? What are their roles? Or how to ask them? We will try to answer all your questions with this article!

– The wedding witnesses

They are obligatory for each bride and groom, they allow the validation of the marriage in the eyes of the law. Since they attest to the veracity of the union by signing the civil marriage registers and the church register if there is a religious marriage. Wedding Witnesses are also there to accompany the bride and groom by standing beside them during the ceremony. Sometimes they are responsible for reading the texts in the church and bringing the wedding rings to the bride and groom.

Wedding Witnesses are chosen by the bride and groom, they can be family or only close friends. There are also no obligations regarding the profile of the person chosen, because on the groom’s and bride’s side it can be as many men as women.

Only the number of Wedding witnesses is regulated. For the groom, a minimum of one witness and a maximum of two Wedding witnesses is required. While for the church only one Wedding witness can sign the registers, it is still possible to have several Wedding witnesses to surround the bride and groom during the ceremony.

– Ladies or gentleman of honor

It is a role that is not mandatory, it is simply symbolic. Even if without bridesmaids the wedding can take place in good circumstances, they allow the bride and groom to relax by having a team of friends at their side to take care of them.

It is therefore a very important role in a wedding to take to heart. For some people it is a dream role to accompany their friend throughout his wedding!

In France, it is rather little girls who are bridesmaids since they are part of the procession helping the bride with her train and throwing petals or other at the exit of the church.

If they are adults, they will be there to make sure the wedding goes smoothly while taking care of the bride and groom if necessary.  Of course, the witnesses can also fulfill this role, usually helping each other throughout the day to make the day even more wonderful for the bride and groom.

While in the United States bridesmaids are usually friends of the bride, all dressed the same. What about you, will she be your choice, more French or American tradition? But of course let’s not forget, this is your day! So it’s up to you to make the choices that suit you best.

Once again the bridesmaids and gentlemen of honor are chosen by the bride and groom, so they can be family or close friends. Moreover their role is not official, so there is no limit to the number of bridesmaids and gentlemen. Even though often there are between two and five bridesmaids, to avoid having too many people to butterfly around all day.

How do I apply to the wedding witnesses and the bridesmaids / bridesmaids of honour?

Here are a few ideas for an original request that are sure to please those involved.

– Arrange a meal with the people you want to propose to, then place a scratch card on the plates with the words “Do you want to be my best man/maid of honour? »

– It is possible to send a balloon with written request on it.

– Offer a card that allows you to make your request and as a little extra there can be a small gift such as an identical bracelet for each witness of the groom and for the groom an identical knot for each Wedding witness.

– It is possible to make personalized requests with a puzzle, a mug with the inscription “Do you want to be my best man/maid of honor? ». For a personalized but even more original request, for wine or even beer lovers, there are customizable bottles. So why not offer them a bottle personalized with the request! For the gourmand there are also several possibilities, just slip a ticket with your request inside a chocolate bar, a box of macaroons or many other delicacies, which could please your future Wedding witnesses or bridesmaids.

– Make yourself a personalized box with your request inside for your future Wedding witnesses and bridesmaids. The personalization of the box will allow you to match the taste of the person receiving the request.

– But of course you can simply make your request orally, nothing beats simplicity.

What can the wedding witnesses and bridesmaids/men of honour do to help the bride and groom?

Marriage is a source of immense happiness but also a source of great stress. The future bride and groom will be overwhelmed by many emotions throughout the preparations and the D-day. For fear of not finishing the preparations in time, of making a mistake in some parts or of making a mistake in their choice of dress! So the bridesmaids but also the wedding witnesses are there to avoid any unnecessary stress and to advise their friends as best they can.

First of all you wonder how to help with the preparations?

The role of wedding witnesses and bridesmaids is to support the bride and groom during the preparation of the wedding. So throughout the preparations you must be available as much as possible, especially when you are needed. Even if the main tasks of the best man and bridesmaids are to help and objectively advise the bride to find the dress of her dreams, the shoes and accessories that will look great together, not to mention the make-up and hairstyle that will make her look even more beautiful on the day!

Some tasks are much more fun than others don’t forget, but keep in mind that you are doing all you can to help a friend in the middle of organizing her dream day.

– Organizing the bachelorette party

One of your main misions is the organization of the bride’s bachelorette party. You must make sure that you organize a day or even a weekend for her, choosing activities that will be carried out throughout her stay, without forgetting that they must please the main person involved, so that she has a good time and keeps unforgettable memories.

– Give your real opinion when asked

When the bride asks for your opinion, make sure it is truthful, so that it is a useful opinion. But of course if she does the opposite don’t get frustrated, it can happen quite often!

– Helping her choose her wedding dress

Going from store to store without a second’s respite will be part of your daily routine now that you have agreed to be a Wedding witness or bridesmaid, but don’t forget it’s for a good cause. Find the wedding dress of your dream bride! Your role is to advise and reassure the bride throughout the fitting and of course help her find her happiness.

– Wear a bridesmaid’s dress chosen by the bride

Usually the ladies dresses are identical for each and they are chosen by the bride. While you or we appreciate it, you don’t have much choice but to accept to wear the dress selected for you. Tell you that this is your friend’s day so you are supposed to please her and she is the one who has to be the most beautiful, moreover it is your friend so she will surely take your opinion into account in spite of everything.

– Choose a dress according to the dresscode given by the bride and groom.

Some times the bride leaves the choice of the dress to the witnesses and bridesmaids while respecting the imposed dresscode.

The dresscode will surely be worn on the length of the dress, the shape or the color the bride wishes.

You may also be asked to help with some less fun tasks, such as the shaping of the invitations and sugared almonds, or even to help set up the decoration in the reception hall.

Again, you are reminded that the bride is your friend, so even if you have agreed to be her best man or bridesmaid, if you are unable to be available every time, she will understand that you cannot be available every time.

Secondly, the role of wedding witnesses and bridesmaids is to help on the day of the wedding.

If during the preparations the bride encounters many stressful moments, the wedding day is often frightening. So your role is to support her again on every element that can cause her problems, does my dress still fit me as well? Will everyone enjoy the meal? Make sure she is reassured on every point that makes her nervous. Above all, remind her that this is her wedding day, the day she has dreamed of since childhood and that she is going to marry the person she loves, this day can only be wonderful in every way!

Your role is also to organize and coordinate certain points during the ceremony and the meal.

– Organize activities during the wedding

Make sure to organize activities that the bride and groom will enjoy. Activities can be fun and moving, and can focus on the life of the bride and groom or on anecdotes about the bride and groom. Make sure that there is entertainment between each course to keep the guests busy and that they too have a wonderful time.

– Make a speech

Some brides and grooms enjoy having their best man and bridesmaids make a speech, so if you feel like it, pull out your best pen and write a beautiful speech for the bride and groom without forgetting the anecdotes, it’s always the funniest part.

How to thank your witnesses and bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids will be involved throughout the preparations, but also on the D-day, so that you have the wedding of your dreams. So don’t hesitate to thank them for the time they will have devoted to make the most beautiful day of your life come true.

– The photo session

For even more memories, a photo session with your witnesses and bridesmaids is ideal. A photo session allows you to choose the place, the theme but also the desired look to make it a magical moment that will remain anchored on paper. It’s a moment to have fun with the girls and to create even more unforgettable memories thanks to these moments full of emotions. The photos can be printed in basic format but also on mugs, key rings, tote bags, polaroids… These are memories that are kept for a lifetime.

– The bridesmaid box

This idea allows you to create a box with personalized gifts for each person who will receive it, a bit like the request box seen previously. This intention makes it possible to offer anything that can please them, whether it is a delicacy they love, a cosmetic they adore or that they wanted. A pretty jewel that made you think of her directly or photos and words as a souvenir of all the moments you had together. This gift has a personal and touching side.

Without forgetting a letter of thanks for all that she has done for you and that this day would not have been the same without her!

– A DIY (DO IT YOURSELF)

Creating and offering your own gift is always a pleasurable gesture because you know it comes from the heart. Moreover, the fact that it is homemade allows you to personalize it as you wish so that it perfectly matches the person you are going to offer it to. You have the choice between soap or scented candles, or even jewelry, there is necessarily something for all tastes and all budgets. Now it’s up to you!

– A personalized gift

Of course not everyone has the patience or ability to create their own gift alone. But fortunately for you, people with a lot of talent exist and sell their creations in their physical store, online or with Etsy, for example.  With this type of gift you have a wide choice. It can be a notebook that allows you to slip in a photo and a personalized word, a phone case, a photo frame or magnets to stick on the fridge… With these gifts, you can write down what you want to give to your friends and family to allow total personalization. Another gift that fits every taste and every budget!

– A cocooning moment

The preparation of the wedding as well as our daily life brings us stress, therefore to remedy the case, organize you with your bridesmaids witnesses, a day at the institute. This moment will allow you to spend a pleasant moment surrounded by your family and friends and to relax, thanks to the care which will be carried out during this moment in institute. This gift often delights all the guests!

– A meal to gather your bridesmaids of honor

A few days after the wedding why not gather all your bridesmaids, around a good meal, to remind you all it is good time to spend together. Moreover you had the choice either to make them at home, or in a restaurant. According to your desires you could make a brunch, a lunch or a dinner. This meal is a good way to thank your witnesses and bridesmaids who helped you make your wedding even more successful. It is the perfect time to offer them the thank-you gifts if you have any planned.