Ultimate Wedding Day Timeline: What Bridesmaids Should Do

What does it mean to be a bridesmaid? If you’ve never been asked before, this is an exciting time! But it can also be daunting.

On the wedding day, you won’t just be a guest watching from the benches and enjoying the buffet. You’ll be right at the center of the action. Weddings are about a lot more than bouquets and dresses for bridesmaids. It’s a time to celebrate and support someone you love, standing by her side as she says, “I do.”

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8 am – 12 pm: Get Ready With the Bride

The first thing you’ll do on the morning of the wedding is get all dolled up with your best friends! Remember to get a good night’s sleep and stay hydrated the evening before to make sure your skin looks its best. Now is the time to make a getting-ready playlist, laugh, reminisce, and send tons of positive vibes the bride’s way.

Depending on the number of bridesmaids, this part can take time—be patient and a team player. The goal is to have fun and get the bride ready with as little stress as possible.

12 pm – 2 pm: Lunch & Take Getting Ready Photos

The photographers should arrive sometime during the morning. They might snap a few shots during the getting-ready session and before the ceremony. Now is the time for the girly makeover montage you’ve been dreaming of since Princess Diaries. Pop on some slippers, unwrinkle the satin dress (or bathrobe!), and pull your best pout!

During photos, you can even bring out some bubbly and toast to your bestie’s last single moments before she becomes a bride. Take a bathroom break, have a bite to eat, and do your final hair and makeup touch-ups now… the ceremony is about to begin!

2 pm – 3 pm: Walk Down the Aisle

Here’s the order of procession for most Western weddings: officiant, groomsmen, groom, flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids (that’s you!) and finally, the bride. The wedding coordinator should help you through this process. Once the groom and groomsmen are inside, the ladies will line up behind the door, ready to walk down the aisle. When it’s your turn, step in with confidence and smile!

It helps to have a quick rehearsal before the big day to calm nerves. If you didn’t get to do one, don’t worry—this is the shortest part of the ceremony!

3 pm – 5 pm: Take Photos With the Bridal Party

After the vows have been said and the rings exchanged, it’s time to capture the happy couple on film. Ask the bride about leaving the ceremony—sometimes, the bridesmaids are expected to lead the way as the couple follows. Other times, they follow discreetly behind. Either way, you’ll end up in cocktail hour, where everyone enjoys a drink and gets ready to party.

If you’re taking photos at the same venue, this part is easy. Simply pose as instructed and put on your best smile. If you’re changing locations, offer to carry the bride’s bouquet and a make-up touch-up bag and help her lift her dress and veil when getting into and out of the car.

5 pm – Make an Entrance at the Reception

Finally, it’s time for the reception! The bridal party’s work is almost finished, and any further photos will probably only feature the happy couple. The wedding guests should be gathered inside by now, waiting for the bride and groom to make their first appearance as a married couple.

As part of the bridal party, bridesmaids and groomsmen will again lead the way, partnering up and entering the room with a fun dance or a simple wave, depending on the crowd. After your entrance moment, it’s time to take your seats.

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Dinner and Mingle With Wedding Guests

The MC will probably kick off the reception proceedings with a speech. Wine will flow, and people will “aw” as stories are shared and best wishes are offered. Bridesmaids aren’t typically required to make speeches. Still, if you want to speak or the bride requests it, it’s best to let the MC know beforehand. The maid of honor will probably give one, alongside the best man and parents of the couple.

If guests have questions during speeches and dinner, you can help field them for the bride. This keeps the stress off her shoulders and gives her more time to soak up the spotlight. After the last toast, everyone will enjoy dinner together.

7:30 – 8 pm: Hair and Makeup Touch-Ups for the Bride

Try to find a time between dinner and dancing to do a quick touch-up for the bride. Her lipstick especially will probably need redoing. If she needs a bathroom break, you may need to help her with her dress. Take this time to check in with the bride and the other bridesmaids and have a moment together again. The main meal of the wedding has passed, and it’s time to party!

Once everyone is looking photo-ready again, head back inside and get ready to dance. If you need to move furniture to make space, call on some groomsmen and clear the room.

8 pm: Open the Dance Floor

The first dance between bride and groom is often a tear-filled moment. Make sure you have tissues on hand! During their dance, the photographer may snap a few more shots. Once the couple has danced, possibly the bride and her father, the dance floor will open to the bridal party. You’ll be paired with one of the groomsmen—make sure you know who your dance partner is before the wedding.

Head onto the dance floor and take a twirl around the room. Don’t worry if you’re not the best dancer; you’ll only dance for a few minutes before the other guests join in.

8:30 pm – 10:30 pm: Keep the Bride Comfortable

As the night wears on and the party gets going, make sure you do regular check-ins with the bride. Don’t forget about her now that everything has been said and done! Bring her some water occasionally to ensure she stays hydrated, and check to see if she needs any help with the bouquet toss or other planned wedding games.

It’s good to keep a snack in your bag in case the bride needs a pick-me-up after a long and beautiful day. Remember those bathroom breaks and hair touch-ups!

10:30 pm onwards: Help With Clean-up

The real work begins when the wedding starts winding down. As guests head home and the bride and groom retire to their suite, the bridesmaids will be expected to ensure everything wraps up neatly. If extra bottles of champagne need chilling, find a fridge. If there are personal possessions strewn around the room, start a lost-and-found.

Bouquets must be put in vases, servers tipped, and the list goes on. Now is the time to make yourself useful, even if you’re low on energy. Being one of the last to leave is part and parcel of being a bridesmaid!