Long Live the… Bridesmaids

Ten of them, dressed just like the bride to distract evil spirits. That was the wedding-day ritual in Ancient Rome—and long before that, among the Pharaohs of Egypt—to protect the bride as she embarked on her new life. Although the bridesmaid tradition in its modern form seems to date back to 19th-century Anglo-Saxon culture, over time these attendants became a status symbol: a family’s social clout and financial standing were measured by how many stood beside the bride on her big day.

Power and influence aside, the bridesmaids’ role on the most important day is crucial. Whether they’re friends, colleagues, or sisters—etiquette dictates they must be unmarried—they play an active part in the ceremony and follow strict rules. Most notably, the maid of honor, a typically American custom, serves as the official witness who signs the marriage license. Her gown matches the other bridesmaids’ in style and color but is more elaborate, and—true to tradition—it pairs her with the best man.

More recently—especially here in Italy—the page boy has joined the wedding party. This young helper carries the rings for the exchange. And who hasn’t seen little flower girls, garlands in their hair, scattering petals down the aisle before the bride makes her grand entrance?

Back to the grown-ups: no more than eight bridesmaids is considered ideal; a dozen is reserved for royal weddings. As for dress color, white is strictly off-limits—only the bride wears white. If the chosen hue doesn’t appeal, a simple design that can be worn again is wise. When the bride covers the cost, she can opt for off-the-rack styles or bespoke gowns—and her decision is final. Otherwise, each bridesmaid selects her dress according to personal taste and budget. The same goes for shoes: wedding days are long, so accessories must be elegant and coordinated, yet comfortable. And the bouquet? Bridesmaids carry a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet, in matching tones—unless it’s an all-white theme—and it remains a keepsake and a token of gratitude.

Among the wedding world’s must-have accessories is the corsage—a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist like a bracelet. Chosen by the bride or by the bridesmaid, it adds charm without overwhelming the outfit of those closest to the bride. The term, from the French bouquet de corsage, originally referred to a small bunch of flowers pinned to the décolletage in the 19th century as a courtship gift before a grand ball. Its roots go back further: in Classical Greece, fragrant herbs were worn for good luck; in the 1500s, botanicals were believed to ward off disease. In the 1950s, corsages evolved into their modern form—worn on hats or wrists, and, believe it or not, sometimes even crafted with fruit.

Among their most significant duties are planning the bachelorette party and, above all, supporting the bride on her wedding day. Keeping the veil in place after the ceremony, arranging the train, or carrying an emergency kit in a handbag are responsibilities not to be taken lightly. At the church or city hall, good etiquette calls for bridesmaids to enter before the bride—in single file if there are two or three. If there’s a larger, odd-numbered party, they may walk in pairs and sit beside the witnesses rather than with the other guests.