As a bride, navigating the divine yet turbulent waves of wedding planning, having a solid support system helps tremendously. After all, they don't say it takes a village to plan a wedding for nothing! The support of the women in your life is something that you can always count on, so that, piece by piece, you can put together the wedding of your dreams. With the support of your mother-in-law, the funny jib of your little sister, the infectious enthusiasm of your bestie, everything comes together to make your wedding experience a truly enchanting one! Female relationships are often depicted in catty fights and jealous passive-aggressiveness, but only a woman knows how deep these relationships run. It's no easy task, being a woman in today’s world, and despite what the chick flicks will have you believe, having powerful and supportive women in your life truly makes the journey truly worthwhile and fun! 

As International Women’s Day is around the corner, let's take this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the women in your lives who made or are excited to make your wedding day a truly special one! From the single mother who raised you alone, went to all your PTA meetings and was exemplary of how powerful motherhood can be, to the niece who copies you and is beyond excited to dress up and be your flower girl, from the dorm roommate who shared a million midnight ramen noodles with to the big sister who still can tell you had a bad day as soon as you say “Hello” over a phone call, let's put our heads together so that you can let your special ladies know how grateful you are to have them in your life!

The Ladies in Your Wedding and Their Roles

Mother of the Bride: The bride's mother has a significant part in the wedding. The bride's mother will assist her with the guest list, as well as provide moral support with wedding specifics. She will also scout wedding venues, accompany her on dress-shopping appointments to help narrow down the choices until she finds that one perfect gown, and notify the groom's mother of her selection so that they can complement one another. On the wedding day, the mother of the bride should be ready to assist the bride with everything she may require on the wedding day. This could entail playing hostess, assisting out-of-town visitors, or having a tissue box on hand! While no one says carrying a "mom bag" is one of the mother-of-the-responsibilities, having a wedding day emergency kit with safety pins and a portable steamer on hand is always welcomed and can be a lifesaver. While traditionally the father of the bride walks the bride through the aisle, in case of complicated family dynamics or a single-parent situation, the mother of the bride is seen walking the bride, which is such a refreshing and heart-warming experience. We love to see when the old and outdated traditions are flexed to meet new requirements and unique family structures. 

Mother of the Groom: The groom's mother has traditionally assumed the majority of the pre-wedding obligations, while the groom's family has taken a backseat. Both moms now have an important role in the wedding planning process, especially if the two families are splitting the costs. Hosting the engagement party, assisting with the vendor searches, managing the groom's side of the family, and assisting with wedding day preparations are some of the duties that the mother of the groom can be entrusted with. The rehearsal dinner might also be planned and hosted by the groom's mother. Having the mother of the groom and your future mother-in-law involved in the wedding chores and entrusting her with some responsibilities will warm her heart and will communicate to her that she is a part of the family and you are leaning on her. This will definitely lead to strengthening your relationship in the long run.

Honorary Maid of Honor: The maid of honor is one of the most important roles in the bridal party and comes with the most responsibility of all her attendants. The maid of honor is traditionally the bride's sister or closest friend. A married honor attendant is technically referred to as a matron of honor, although in modern popular language, that term has taken a second seat. The maid of honor's responsibilities prior to the wedding include organizing the bridesmaids' activities, such as scheduling a dress fitting and planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party. She also assists the bride and groom with any last-minute jobs or errands, like addressing invitations and keeping track of gifts. The maid of honor assists the bride in getting ready for the wedding and attends the ceremony with her. As the bride's witness, she signs the marriage license, arranges her veil and trains for the processional and recessional, and carries her bouquet at the altar. She dances with the best man at the reception and organizes the bridesmaids for formal pictures. She assists the bride in getting ready for their honeymoon and ensures that her dress and bouquet remain safe until she returns.

Bridesmaids: You can have as few or as many bridesmaids in your wedding as you want, however, 6 to 8 is the sweet spot. Bridesmaids can be single or married, and they can be any age, though girls from eight to sixteen are considered junior bridesmaids and have fewer responsibilities. A bridesmaid's primary responsibility is to assist the maid of honor in her wedding planning tasks and to assist the bride as needed. Your bridesmaids will assist you with activities such as addressing invitations and assisting with the planning of the bridal shower and bachelorette party. Bridesmaids, of course, take part in the processional and recessional aspect of the wedding. 

Junior Bridesmaid: A junior bridesmaid is a young girl between the ages of nine and thirteen, maybe your little sister. On the wedding day, she wears a dress in the same color and fabric as the adult bridesmaids, which is usually more age-appropriate. She is not required to attend the bachelor/bachelorette party or to shoulder the same financial responsibilities as the bridesmaids. 

Flower Girl: Depending on her maturity level, the flower girl is normally between the ages of four and eight. She travels ahead of the bride throughout the processional, sprinkling flower petals in her way or just holding a lovely bouquet or basket. She should also attend the wedding rehearsal so that she is familiar with her new job. However, while the flower girl is generally a girl and the ring bearer a boy, nowadays, the roles are pretty fluid and any gender can take on either role. So brides-to-be, don't hesitate before you give your nephew the responsibilities of sprinkling flowers on the aisle, in case he looks interested in taking on the job!

Ways to Celebrate your Bridal Party Ladies

• Show Appreciation: Being a part of the bridal party is a fantastic honor, but it also comes with a lot of duty. They will have financial obligations, parties, and showers to plan, and your free time will be limited. However, despite the challenges of being a bridesmaid, it's all worth it to be there for you on your big day! Treat your ladies to brunch, give them gifts, or invite everyone over for rosé and a movie to show them how much you appreciate everything they've done to make your wedding day perfect! This could also be a fantastic moment to provide some heartfelt speeches, in which you tell them exactly what you admire about them.
• Bond over Brunch: Your girls will love a leisurely brunch! Now that you've met everyone, take a day to get everyone connected! After all, your special ladies will be spending more time together, and the better everyone knows each other and gets along, the smoother and more pleasurable your wedding will be! Allow the cocktails to flow freely, play silly icebreaker games to start the conversation, or pamper your ladies with a relaxing activity such as a spa day or manis and pedis, followed by an unending brunch! It will calm everyone down by allowing them to get to know one another, and it will also be a great way to pamper them before the big day!
• Matching Outfits: What better way to say "we're the squad" than in a matching robe or sweatshirt? There's something about wearing similar outfits that makes you feel like you're part of a group, and it's quite unifying! This is something they will always have with you, and it will serve as a constant reminder of your relationship for the rest of your life! We love the thought of matching pajamas, adult friendship bracelets, or a warm sweater to wear on movie nights with our pals.
• Take Fun Pictures: At least one professional shot of each of your girls should be taken, and we assure you will not be sorry. Your ladies have made time for you on your special day, and it will be good to remember that in the future. You'll be glad you took the effort to spend a little more time with each woman during your photoshoot; these photos will serve as a nice reminder of your connection, and your daughters will appreciate having them as memories as well. You can have a fun getting-ready photo session before the ceremony, or have a couple of group photos with everyone dressed to the nines!
• Give a Pamper Session: It's always in style to pamper oneself, and your closest ladies will appreciate it. A bath bomb, a sheet mask, and a candle can all be purchased at your local drugstore. You can order them a spa kit online or put them on your special person’s doorstep with a note that says, "Thank you very much! Unwind and relax." Encouraging a buddy to look for themselves is a thoughtful request. It demonstrates that you care about their well-being. This is your way of suggesting that they return the love to themselves and relax for a while.
• Offer a Plus One: Let the wedding be an occasion for them to include their loved ones and invite a significant other, just as the wedding is a great moment in your life. Make your bridesmaids feel like they don't have to be at your service on your wedding day, and let them enjoy themselves! Welcome and acknowledge their day of love as you celebrate your own! We guarantee that your bridesmaids will appreciate the considerate gesture and will remember it for the rest of their lives!
• Host a Sleepover: A sleepover party is a perfect method to send us back in time. Nothing beats spending a good time overnight for late-night chats, hair styling, and trying on new clothing. The good news is that you don't require permission as an adult. For a unique sleepover experience, tell your special bridal party ladies to bring their favorite pajamas and an overnight bag. Whether you cook a three-course meal or buy a take-out feast, treat them to an evening of party games and exclusive girl time.
• Send some Flowers: The truth is that no one, including your closest friends or your mother, dislikes receiving flowers. If you're lucky, the lady at the receiving end will bloom as soon as she receives the flowers you sent, just like the flowers in the bouquet. Sending a bunch of flowers impromptu, without any reason, can be a great pick-me-up for anyone. Choose their preferred colors and flowers to add a unique touch to each arrangement. This will tell them that you have been thinking about them, and that is always nice to know. 
• Write it Down: Gratitude speaks louder than anything else, therefore express your gratitude to your girls in a letter or a thank you card. We don't write nearly enough letters as a generation, and while the first few sentences may be awkward, the words will flow after that. Send a card or write a note to your girlfriends and the importance of women in your life. This heartfelt expression of gratitude reveals that you put thought and effort into your relationship.
• Help is Not Forced: It's fine to count on your female gang's enthusiastic assistance when arranging your dream wedding, but don't make them do it. Despite what the movies may suggest, they are not bound to assist you with all aspects of wedding planning. Only the bride and groom, as well as a wedding planner if you want to engage one, should be expected to assist with the task. However, if they are eager to assist, that is fantastic; however, don't make them feel awful for not volunteering their time or taking on a slew of wedding duties!

Having a healthy female support system is really important for a bride-to-be planning her wedding. It is impossible to put into words how the presence of strong women around you every day enriches your life every day. And what better than International Women's Day to celebrate the women in your life? Sometimes a little gratitude and words of affection go a long way in keeping the bond that we have in our lives intact, and thriving! We hope this article helped you express your gratitude in the best way possible!