Wedding Tips .

Being a bridesmaid is an honor and a privilege. You have been asked to be an integral part of the bride and groom’s most special day, and the duty should not be taken lightly. Take this opportunity to show the bride just how much you care by not merely performing your official bridesmaid duties, but by also being a thoughtful bridesmaid.

If you weren’t a special person in the bride’s life you wouldn’t have been asked to fulfill this role on her most important day. So let her know how much she means to you, and how happy you are to be a part of the wedding by doing a little something extra.

1. The week before the wedding is likely to frazzle some brides-to-be with all of the last minute details and the ever common pre-wedding day jitters. You can help to alleviate some of the stress and tension by surprising the bride with a mailbox full of good wishes. At the bridal shower, or a month before the wedding, hand out colorful postcards, stamped and pre-addressed to the bride to all of her closest friends and family. Ask them to shower her with love, marital advice, and funny anecdotes about married life the week of the wedding filling her mailbox with the postcards.

2. Go a step further than just taking the bride to get her nails done before the big day. All of the bridesmaids can pitch in together to pamper and let her know how thankful they are to be a part of the special celebration. Besides a manicure, spring for a pedicure, as well as a much-needed massage the day before the wedding. If finances are an issue, orchestrate a girl’s night and have each bridesmaid in charge of something. One person can do her nails while the other does the facial. She’ll be grateful to be lavished with such attention during this stressful time.

3. The day before the wedding affix a wreath made from tulle and ribbon to the bride’s front door. Visit the craft or discount store for ribbon, faux flowers, and yards of tulle or gossamer to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Not only will the bride be pleasantly surprised but she’ll be thankful for your creative kindness as well.

4. Invest in an instant camera so that you can slip some pictures of the festivities into the bride’s luggage before she leaves for the honeymoon for an extra special touch.

5. Another thoughtful idea regarding pictures is to have doubles made of any snapshots you took at the reception, and then have them waiting for her in a pretty photo box upon her return from the honeymoon.

6. Arrange ahead of time to have a special bouquet of flowers waiting for the newlyweds when they arrive at their honeymoon destination to congratulate them once more. They’ll be touched and surprised by the thoughtful gesture.

7. Before the new Mrs. has a chance to send out thank-you notes after the wedding, send her a heartfelt letter about how much it meant to be a part of her special day, and what a beautiful bride she was. Include special memories or unforgettable moments of the day that she may have missed in all of the excitement. It’s no doubt that this letter will find a special place in her scrapbook as well as her heart for years to come.