10 Common Wedding Party Questions, Answered

Bridesmaids' Dresses

7. What if my bridesmaids haven’t gotten measured or ordered their dresses?

Everybody gets busy. But if you find yourself stressing about a slacker, enlist your MOH to see if she can motivate your friend to action. If that doesn’t work, plan lunch with her at a restaurant that just happens to be a few blocks from the dress salon, then suggest you both stop in after you’ve eaten. Even if she has to run right after the lunch bill arrives, you’ve made your point in a nonthreatening way.

8. How do I deal with out-of-town bridesmaids?

If you want your out-of-town bridesmaids to travel for a shower, a bachelorette weekend, or any other event, give them the whole scoop when you ask them to stand up for you. Once they’ve accepted, use e-mail or a letter to make them feel as if they’re part of the group, and give them duties, such as:

• Collecting addresses.
• Locating sheet music for obscure songs you want the band to play.
• Creating a backup, “just in case” iPod mix. 

 

If a faraway chum can’t tackle these tasks, give her an important job on the wedding day, such as serving as a reader at the church, distributing corsages to mothers and grandmothers, or lighting candles on the altar.