Divine secrets of the jie-mei-hood

Some have only one. Others have a few. Yet there are brides who have up to eight jie-meis (bridesmaids or sisters whose duty is to assist the bride on her wedding day). 

No matter how many you choose, it's essential you don't pick unwilling helpers. Coz when it comes to the wedding crunch, you don't want them to make things difficult for you. Then again, it doesn't mean you go all bridezilla on them when they innocently voice an opinion. Communication is always the key to a healthy relationship between the bride and her sistas.

The range of jie-mei duties differ from wedding to wedding. You may require your sistas to do one of more of the following things:

• plan and participate in a hen party to celebrate your last day/week/month of singlehood
• contribute ideas where necessary during wedding preparation
• plan and participate in the gatecrashing (the event where the groom tries to win entry by bribing the jie-meis and doing silly tasks to prove his love)
• assist you where necessary during the actual day (e.g. hold up your train, serve you drinks etc)
• sit at reception table to receive guests and guard the angbao box
• be the evening's mc and amuse banquet guests 
• (wo)man the laptop or any equipment required to play music or display photo montage
• be the event's time-keeper
• ensure everything runs smoothly during the wedding banquet
• mental (and possibly physical) support during the stressful days before the wedding

There might be more so do feel free to contribute in the comments section. =) For brides who intend to choose jie-meis from different cliques, it will be good if you can arrange for everyone to meet. At least your friends could get to know one another over a nice meal.

Although most people are happy to help out, brides will do well to take note that the jie-meis are essentially your guests. Asking too much of them would seem unfair, no? Yes, there's that angbao you will give  as a gesture of appreciation but seriously, as the hostess of your wedding...give your jie-meis a well-deserved break or two during your big day. And jie-meis, if you're wondering just what sort of parties you can throw to celebrate your gal friend's impending wedding, I have just the thing for you in a future post. Do look out for it~!

Picture by Timeless Photography

Love,

Lilian