How to Make Bridesmaids Feel Special

Sure, you may find the word "maid" in their official title, but do you really want to make your bridesmaids feel like maids? They work hard planning showers, throwing bachelorette parties and trying on dozens of dresses at your mercy. Even though you may be strapped for time and energy, take a few extra minutes to make them feel special.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ask for their input. Instead of telling them what to wear, when to show up and where to go, ask for their opinions during the planning stages. Allow them to play an active role in your wedding, instead of being accessories.
2. Keep your expectations realistic. You may have bridesmaids who range across the board in terms of age, body type, financial status, interests and location of residence. Plan accordingly, keeping in mind that not everyone can afford to buy designer shoes AND travel from far away for every party AND feel comfortable in a strapless form-fitting dress.
3. Update them frequently. A bridesmaid who never hears from the bride may start to feel unwanted and out of the loop. Send fun emails once a month, updating your girls on what's been going on with the wedding plans. Tell them about funny things that your fiancé has said or how excited your grandmother is to see everything come together. Personal stories make people feel like part of the action.
4. Give them each a special gift at the rehearsal dinner. Traditionally brides do this anyway, but instead of giving them all the same gift, go for something personalized, like a necklace with a pendant of their first initial. If you are afraid of hurting someone's feelings by giving different gifts, give the same gift, but in each bridesmaid's favorite color.
5. Toast them at the rehearsal dinner. Not every bride or groom does this, so it's a little more unexpected than gifts.
6. Include a short bio of each bridesmaid in your wedding ceremony program. If you do this for the bridesmaids, you of course need to do it for the groomsmen also.