Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids
October 6th, 2006 Posted in Wedding Planning and IdeasAlmost every Bride is accompanied by her bridesmaids and Maid of Honor. This group of women is usually comprised of sisters, family members and close friends. Often their responsibilities go much deeper than the common wedding-related duties of arranging the shower, preparing for the ceremony and reception, giving speeches and posing for photographs.
Before agreeing to be part of the bridal party, a potential bridesmaid may want to consider the root of the word “bridesmaid.”
In ancient times, the groom would kidnap the bride of his choice and force her to marry him. At his side were several men who helped him fight off other suitors. Prior to her kidnapping, the bride contrived a plan with her sisters and best friends to ensure that she would be kidnapped by the man of her choice. They played a vital role in the bride’s happiness.
Ancient notions of bridesmaids also date back to the Roman weddings, where 10 witnesses were required to be present at the ceremony. These witnesses dressed alike in order to confuse the evil spirits wanting to curse the couple. If the bridal party dressed similarly, the spirits would not be able to determine which woman was getting married.
Despite these ancient duties of bridesmaids, their underlying role remains the same – to provide moral support for the bride while preparing for her special day.