How to Be an Excellent Las Vegas Bridesmaid

When a bride extends the honor of bridesmaid to her closest friends and family members, there’s plenty to celebrate — but also plenty to do. In most cases, bridesmaids have their work cut out for them in the best way. No matter if this the first time in a bridal party or the bridesmaid is living a “27 Dresses” reboot, our guide on how to be an amazing bridesmaid in Las Vegas will guide you through the steps of being the ideal member of the I Do Crew.

Get Excited, No Matter What

Brides become brides at different stages of life. Maintaining a high level of positive energy might look different for the early twentysomething bride and a woman in her late 30s. 

Kaela Haberman and Kailey Goldbaum, the sister duo behind Las Vegas Bach, emphasize that showing the same level of enthusiasm for friends that get hitched in later decades can look different, with the introduction of other weddings and babies.

“Carry the energy through,” Kaela says, “even if it’s the last girl to get married.”

Be Proactive When Helping Out

As a wedding party, a lot of responsibilities will surface during the planning process, from the bachelorette party to the reception afterparty. Instead of simply offering to help, look at the list of things to do and offer to take over specific tasks. 

“Some bridesmaids are very excited, very involved, and need everything to be perfect,” Kailey says, while noting that other bridesmaids may choose to contribute financially, instead of offering labor. “That part is better for the bride than anything else.”

Each participant knows themselves best, so it’s important not to overextend — or underextend — the level of commitment each bridesmaid can provide.

“Set clear [expectations of] what you’re going to do. Some girls panic a few weeks out that they didn’t do enough,” Kailey advises. “When you’re asked to be a bridesmaid, don’t act like you’re going to do it all, and then do nothing, or don’t act too nonchalant and do it all.”

Stay on Top of Tasks

Speaking of those tasks, in order to maximize helpfulness, bridesmaids may get a list of ways to assist the bride and the family. One Fab Day editor Celina Murphy knows the importance of making a list, and notes a few important to-dos for a bridal party:

• Buying necessities such as day-of supplies, snacks, drinks and beauty products;
• Attending fittings and tours as requested;
• Being on time for dinners and events; 
• Collect gifts and decorations for safekeeping before the big day

Handle Bookings

On the flip side, the bridesmaids and maid of honor can take the stress out of planning for everyone involved. When bride tribes visit Vegas from out-of-state, the option to hire a done-for-you service eliminates the need to haul decorations and other essentials.

“The cost of baggage is expensive,” Kailey says. “Think about bringing an extra bag on the plane, then you have to purchase all the supplies, and you can’t fly with a ladder [to hang everything up].”

Beyond decoration services, pre-planning is essential for bachelorette parties in Las Vegas. From dinners to clubs to pools and so many activities in between, the crux of the experience is planning in advance

“The events are some of the allure of coming to Vegas,” Kailey says.

“Daytime events, nighttime events … we have events 24/7” Kaela adds.

Know When To Say No

While this sounds counterintuitive, honesty goes far in the planning process for bridesmaids at all wedding stages. A bachelorette party is the most common scenario for expenses to pile up, but everything from wedding day makeup to day-after brunch is open for acceptance or refusal.

“Be upfront, because nobody’s going to think it’s bad,” Kailey says. “Be upfront with what you can and cannot do.”

“It removes tension,” Kaela says, “and you’re not the only one. If [a bridesmaid] feels like that, there has to be others.”

Show Grace During Mishaps

Wedding plans never go off perfectly. Planes can get delayed, people can get sick and sometimes, the troupe has conflicting personalities. If an issue comes up, stay calm and work through it, whether the problem involves mediating or taking a break from the rest of the group.

Hold Onto The Bridesmaid Gifts

Bridesmaids experience a two-way street of gift giving during wedding season. On the bride tribe receiving end, Kailey and Kaela are seeing trends with reusable glassware, clothing and other take-home treasures. This eco-friendly, smart method of gift giving is perfect to keep and reuse for the wedding morning of and in the days leading up to the fun.

Gifts might come in from the bride and her MOH, but what about the wedding gift giving? For some easy ideas, The Knot suggests giving cookware and other kitchen essentials; luxuries for the home such as bathrobes and sheet sets; experiences like sporting event tickets or concert tickets; and travel essentials such as luggage sets and travel kits.

Run a Clean Show

Every amazing bridesmaid will pitch in to clean, whether it’s the Airbnb from the hen-do or the reception venue. While the cleaning doesn’t have to involve getting down on hands and knees to scrub floors, picking up trash and tidying the accommodations is expected for hotel and lodging guests. Besides, leaving behind a mess is usually an indicator that a wedding was exceptional.

Be Present

Above all else, being a wonderful bridesmaid means staying in the now with the bride at every important moment. Take pictures, toast to your girl and give her and her betrothed the attention they deserve. Since weddings can be an absolute whirlwind of activity and fun — especially at Las Vegas venues — enjoy every event and take advantage of this special time in your gal pal’s life.

Plan a Vegas Event

As the Wedding Capital of the World, Las Vegas knows how to treat its brides like royalty, no matter the wedding style. The never-ending activities and fun are all part of the magic. Read more about Vegas weddings and how to plan one of your own.