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Okay, we all know by now that bridesmaids are more than the bride’s indentured servants. That said, it is reasonable to ask your bridal party to help you out with a few of your wedding projects, especially if you are a big diy person. These are some of the great wedding projects to do with your bridesmaids.

Even brides who are not planning to make much for their weddings will often handcraft the wedding programs. You may make the entire program, including handling the design and printing, or it may be a matter of assembling your programs after they have been printed by the stationer. The frank reason that many brides do opt to take on the task of assembling programs is because it costs a fortune to have it done professionally. But putting a hundred or more wedding programs together can be a very time consuming task. Enter the bridesmaids! Whether your attendants are experienced crafters or complete novices, assembling programs is something that anyone can do, and having a few extra sets of hands will make the job much faster. Just don’t leave them to the last minute, which is a mistake that many brides make. It is fair to ask your bridesmaids to help you put your programs together, but it is not fair to expect them to stay up all night doing it!

Wedding favors are another area in which a team of bridesmaids can be a great help. Depending on the favors you have selected, there are a variety of things they can do. It may be placing custom labels on jars of jam, tying bows on candy boxes, or putting Jordan almonds into little tulle circles. All of these things are customary ways in which attendants can help the bride and would not be unreasonable requests. The only caveat is that when you enlist the help of others, you have to accept the results, within reason. So if you know that you are going to be controlling and insist that every single bow on every single box is identical, plan to wrap your favors yourself.

Paper flowers can be wonderfully charming wedding decorations. You can use them for anything from bouquets to boutonierres to ceremony and reception decorations. Making huge quantities of paper blossoms, while not particularly difficult, can be too time consuming for the bride to manage alone. Why not have a paper flower making party with your bridesmaids one afternoon? The key to getting cheerful assistance is to make the experience fun, so put on some good music and make up a batch of fresh lemonade and cookies to fuel the party.

Keep in mind that your bridesmaids deserve to be appreciated for their services. If they have stayed up late folding programs, order in pizzas and make it your treat. Or take your girls out for a stress-free spa afternoon, with no wedding projects on the schedule. Of course, you will always thank your bridesmaids for being in your wedding with beautiful bridesmaid gifts, but do take the time to do something extra for them if they are doing extra things for you. The treats which the bride bestows on her attendants for helping with wedding crafts would be above and beyond the bridesmaid gifts.

There are many more ways in which your bridesmaids can help with your wedding projects, large and small. One bridesmaid I knew grew flats of wheat grass for the bride to use in her centerpiece designs. Another bridesmaid might offer to stitch up a small bridal purse or create a memory album. As long as the bride is reasonable in her requests and shows genuine appreciation, her bridesmaids are going to be happy to help in whatever ways they can.

A good bridesmaid can be an absolute lifesaver during the planning stages of a wedding. She helps make decisions, keeps track of the budget, and holds your hand when you become overwhelmed. There is no simple way to express everything that she means to you. The token gift that you give her as an expression of appreciation should show her how special she is to you, and that you realize how much she has done for you.

There are many different choices for bridesmaid’s gifts, and your decision will be based on your budget, how close you are to the bridesmaids, and personal taste.

Budget: Nothing that has to do with a wedding is inexpensive. With all the must haves, including flowers, reception hall rentals, and food, it is easy to leave off the smaller things like bridesmaids gifts until the last minute. By that time, you budget is even tighter, and you may also have less time to make a choice. To get the best gift for your money, start thinking early about what you would like to give your bridesmaids.

Relationships: If you are very close to your bridesmaids and it is a small group, you may want to spend a little more than if you have a larger group of more casual friends. Of course, if you have family members as a part of the wedding party, you are intimately familiar with them; there is no reason to go overboard with the gifts to the bridal party because one member is a sister. You can present her with the same gift as the rest of your bridal party, and, if you want, give her a special remembrance later, in private.

Personal Taste: Your personal taste should definitely be considered when choosing a gift for the wedding party. If the wedding is a casual, on the beach affair, beach towels, personalized tank tops or even bikinis make great gifts. If the wedding is a formal, evening event, a delicate necklace or bracelet makes a special gift.

Regardless of what you choose to give your wedding party, remember that, while it is an honor to serve in a wedding party, they are also doing you a favor, often at no small cost, to be a part of your wedding party. If you are hosting a high budget affair, the bridal party should not be gifted with trinkets. However, if you are hosting a small, casual affair, most members of your bridal party will understand and not expect jewelry or other expensive gifts. One rule of thumb is to choose something that people will use; then you are not just throwing your money away on nothing.

So, what are some popular gifts for bridesmaids? Personalized tanks and tees are a fun option. Many brides give members of their wedding party tote bags and small coolers, particularly if they are hosting a destination wedding. Because weddings and photographs always go together, consider a digital photograph key chain as a unique gift. Cosmetic bags, zipper pulls and memory or jewelry boxes are also popular choices.

If you want to play up the girl power aspect of your bridal party, consider a gift of nail polish, a sterling silver heart shaped compact or lip gloss. If you have been a little high maintenance in your demands, you may want to acknowledge the fact, and gift your bridesmaids with bath soaking salts, body scrubs or other spa gifts.

Jewelry is always appreciated, if it fits in the budget. Earrings, necklaces and even belly button rings make a nice, and sometimes unexpected, gift for your best girl friends. Charm bracelets can be added to as new events happen in your lives: more weddings, babies, anniversaries…the charms can be a way to symbolize and maintain your close bonds as you grow.

When you are shopping for gifts for the members of your bridal party it is important to consider that they have spent a good deal of time and money to help make your day special. Although none of us like to think that we make unreasonable demands or are difficult to get along with, the fact of the matter is, weddings are stressful. Although it will be worth it to you when it is over, your bridesmaids get nothing out of the experience but the sight of you being happy on your perfect day. Take the time to choose a nice gift for each of the people that you have asked to be a part of the bridal party.

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they’ve selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who’s, what’s, when’s, and why’s, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I’m going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant’s. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don’t realize that the Bride and Groom’s first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don’t forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.

Your wedding party is a major factor in the success of your wedding day. Too many couples assume that once they’ve selected their brides maids and grooms men that they are finished. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what it means to be in a bridal party. Bridesmaids and groomsmen need to do more than just look pretty. Put these people to work! If your wedding party knows the who’s, what’s, when’s, and why’s, they will be able to handle many of the details that may derail the enjoyment of what should be your happiest day.

Many sites will tell you the traditional roles for your wedding party. I’m going to give you some tips on additional (and non-traditional) jobs for your bridesmaids and groomsmen to perform so that you can spend your time on more important details.

Babysitter: Make it the responsibility of someone in your wedding party to know where the rest of the wedding party is at all times. When time comes for someone to make a toast, the wedding party dance, the dollar dance, the garter auction, games, etc. it is frustrating for everyone to be waiting for that one person who is outside, in the bathroom, or talking to your cute cousin.

Activity Leader: Put your bravest party animal in charge of leading activities. This person needs to be someone willing to lead a bunny hop, talk on a mic, lead people to the dance floor etc.

Clean-Up Crew: Assign the task of making sure nothing gets left behind to one of your attendant’s. It will be their job to check the area of the ceremony, reception, and dance to make sure none of the wedding party left things like bags, purses, shoes, coats, wallets, keys, etc.

Nanny: Find your most child loving attendant, and give them the task of sheparding children off the dance floor during special events and dances. Children are great, but they don’t realize that the Bride and Groom’s first dance is not an appropriate time for them to be chasing bubbles on the dance floor.

Designated Driver: Don’t forget this important job! No need to let senseless tragedy ruin your perfect night.

While these are not traditional roles for your average wedding party, assigning someone to these tasks will make your day less stressful so you can spend your time making your wedding beautiful.