A bridesmaid is a woman who attends to the bride on her wedding day.

A bridesmaid is usually a close friend or sister who plays an important role in the wedding experience. Today, a bride typically has several bridesmaids. Three to five is the norm, but some weddings have as many as fifteen! The tradition of bridesmaids started when the bride’s family would have multiple women wear dresses similar to the bride to protect the bride against evil. The idea is to confuse the evil spirit as to who the bride was.

It is an honor to be asked to be a bridesmaid. The bride is telling you that you are a special person in her life. When you accept the invitation to be a bridesmaid, you are signing up for some important (and often fun) tasks such as planning with bridal shower and the bachelorette party. More importantly, you are responsible for helping the bride stay calm and relax during the big day.

A maid of honor is a “chief” bridesmaid who is unmarried.
A matron of honor is a “chief” bridesmaid who is married.
The maid/matron of honor is usually a sister or close friend of the bride. Being a maid of honor is an absolute honor, no pun intended. However, it does carry significant responsibility. You are keep things under control and act as the “ring leader” for the bridesmaids. Very often, you become the “project leader” for the various events planned by the bridesmaids.

It’s a lot of responsibilities to be a bridesmaid or a maid/matron of honor. However, it can be lots of fun and serves as a bonding experience for everyone.