Professional Bridesmaid Requirements: Do You Have What It Takes?
Communication, leadership, and problem-solving are just a few of the most common skills listed on a resume. Certain jobs require more specific skills and attributes, including certifications, degrees, and years of experience.
But what about being a professional bridesmaid? You may have read reports of a young lady who turned a Craigslist advertisement into a blossoming career and thought, “I can do that!” In this article, we’ll uncover what it takes to become a hired bridesmaid, plus professional bridesmaid requirements, personality traits, and skills to help secure your spot as a permanent wedding party stand-in.
What is a Professional Bridesmaid?
As the name suggests, a professional bridesmaid is hired to join the bride’s wedding party on her special day. Although most bridal parties are made up of family, close friends, and coworkers, this isn’t always the case.
Brides hire professional bridesmaids for various reasons. Some of the most common include:
- They need to even out the bridal party
- They don’t have enough close friends or family members
- They want dedicated help on their wedding day
- They need a borrowed best friend
- They want to avoid drama
Planning your wedding can be an exciting time, but it can also be extremely stressful. Professional bridesmaids have been in dozens of weddings, making them experts in their field. They know how to diffuse drama, ensure the event runs smoothly, plan pre-wedding activities, and pose for pictures with poise and professionalism.
Some brides have no qualms about telling people their bridesmaid is part of the hired help. Others prefer to keep it under wraps. In this situation, the bride and her borrowed bestie will create a ruse or story of how they know one another. While these backstory details may come at an extra cost, they’re worth it for brides-to-be who want to save face and have an uncovered assistant on their special day.
The Top Professional Bridesmaid Requirements
Becoming a professional bridesmaid takes more than just a matching dress, a pretty smile, and the ability to walk down the aisle. There are certain professional bridesmaid requirements that every candidate should have. And while being a hired bridesmaid can be a lot of fun, you still have a job to do – and if you want to secure future work, it needs to be done well.
You Love Weddings
This is one of the first reasons and requirements for becoming a professional bridesmaid. If you love everything wedding-related, why not turn your passion for nuptials into a full-time job? After all, they say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
There’s something magical about weddings. The flowers, the food, the music, and the atmosphere. Love is in the air! What better way to enjoy the wedding vibe all year and be amidst the action than becoming a professional bridesmaid? Now, you can get paid for partying.
Loving weddings also means you understand all the nuances and details that go into a successful day. Not everyone is a seasoned professional like you. You can help keep other bridal party members on task and on track for a flawless ceremony and reception. Help guide them with your expertise and ensure every detail is accounted for.
You’re Organized with Attention to Detail
Speaking of details, being a professional bridesmaid means being the life of the party. While having an energetic spirit is a requirement (see below), your main objective is to ensure the day runs smoothly for the bride-to-be.
Like a wedding planner, many professional bridesmaids are highly organized with special attention to detail. You may be called upon to help choose flowers and centerpieces, create the guest list and seating chart, and manage the day’s events from the cocktail hour to the first dance and the cake cutting. Many professional bridesmaids perform more duties than just standing there looking pretty. So, be prepared to step in and get your hands dirty!
You’re a Problem Solver
Even the best-laid plans encounter hiccups along the way. As a professional bridesmaid, you need to think on your feet and be able to solve problems on a whim. The DJ is late? No problem! You found a few wireless speakers or a distant cousin who plays guitar. Some of the bouquets are missing? You become an instant florist and start rearranging the bride’s oversized bouquet to make smaller replicas for the bridal party.
These unforeseen issues are enough to send a bride into a full-blown panic – and that’s where you come in. Staying calm is a professional bridesmaid requirement that will come in handy on the big day. You need to be a problem solver who can think on your feet to keep things on track and the beautiful bride calm and stress-free.
You’re Good Under Pressure
Being a professional bridesmaid isn’t all fun and games. It can be quite stressful, so working well under pressure is a must-have requirement. As a hired bridesmaid, you’re the bride’s voice of reason and support. You need to be ready to pick her up when she’s falling apart and frazzled. You also need to remain calm in the face of adversity and unexpected pitfalls. Working well under pressure helps the bride stay at ease and keeps the wedding schedule on track.
You Can Multitask
Being a professional bridesmaid requires multitasking in its highest form. Staying on schedule is a must, from wedding day prep to the ceremony, cocktail hour, and beyond. While the bride’s getting her hair and makeup done, you may need to check on the groomsmen, show the caterers where to go, or help guests to their seats, all while getting ready yourself.
Multitasking is a professional bridesmaid requirement that guarantees the day’s events run smoothly and on schedule. You also need to think 2 or 3 steps ahead so the bride doesn’t have to.
You’re an Energetic People Person
Having exemplary communication and interpersonal skills, are professional bridesmaid requirements often overlooked. Avoiding and reducing drama both during and before the wedding ceremony takes a special type of person. As a professional bridesmaid, you need to be calm, patient, and have a likable personality to de-escalate any potentially negative situation.
Because you’re not emotionally attached to the bride, the bridal party, or the guests, it’s easier to diffuse situations and help quell potential catfights. You can be the voice of reason and the life of the party. A high-energy bridesmaid encourages attendees to get up and dance, facilitates mingling and small talk, and brings positive energy to the event. Brides can also decide how energetic and involved they want the hired bridesmaid to be. Some brides prefer a more low-key and classy event, which is a request that any professional bridesmaid should be prepared to accommodate.
You’re Passionate About Love and Weddings
This is a must-have professional bridesmaid requirement. You have to love weddings and love the idea of love! Weddings are a joyous occasion where two people vow to love each other for the rest of their lives. Your passion, enthusiasm, and support can be felt throughout the wedding party and guests. A true passion for weddings will also be reflected in your work, dedication to detail, and ability to show the bride-to-be your unwavering support. If you’re called upon to make a speech, your genuine love of nuptials will help you deliver a memorable speech that brings a tear to everyone’s eye!
You’re a Great Actress
This professional bridesmaid requirement comes into play if the bride wants to keep your identity hidden. Not all brides-to-be want the entire wedding party or guests to know you’re part of the hired help. Sometimes, you and the bride are the only people who know why you’re there or who you truly are. In this situation, you’ll likely create a believable cover story complete with details about how you met, how long you’ve known each other, and where you live. Be sure to iron out these details before the big day so that your stories align. Be prepared to answer any questions or inquiries from especially curious guests. Your best bet is to keep the story simple. This avoids confusion and doesn’t require you or the bride to remember too many details. You may want to fill the rest of the bridal party in on the story, too, but again, this is ultimately up to the bride-to-be.
How to Become a Professional Bridesmaid
Now that you understand what professional bridesmaid requirements are needed to pursue this career, here are a few tips on getting started.
Promote Yourself on Social Media
You can follow in the footsteps of professional bridesmaid Jennifer Glantz and post your services online. She found her first job as a professional bridesmaid after posting an ad on Craigslist. You can mimic her approach by announcing your professional bridesmaid services on social media and other job or e-commerce apps, including Craigslist, OfferUp, eBay, and Facebook marketplace. Remember that there’s no protection on these sites against scammers, so it’ll be your responsibility to vet potential clients, arrange payments, and organize meetups safely and securely.
Ask for Friend Referrals
The average woman has been a bridesmaid multiple times and gained plenty of experience and insight along the way. If you love being a bridesmaid and have proved yourself on several occasions, ask your newly married friends to refer you. You can also ask clients to provide references and referrals to their soon-to-be-bride buddies. Word of mouth goes a long way when becoming a professional bridesmaid and growing your clientele and reputation.
List Your Services on FindMyBridesmaid
One of the best ways to become a professional bridesmaid is to use a website dedicated to this practice. FindMyBridesmaid is designed for both brides looking for support and bridesmaids looking for jobs. As a professional bridesmaid, you can list your services, fees, experience, and testimonials to attract potential brides in need. Brides can search member profiles using filters like location, experience, and more. This process takes the guesswork out of promoting your professional bridesmaid services and finding suitable clients to work with.
Click here to learn more about how FindMyBridesmaid works and why it’s the best outlet for launching your new career!
