National Bridesmaids Day: What It Is and How to Celebrate Your Bridesmaids
What is National Bridesmaids Day?
National Bridesmaids Day (also called National Bridesmaid Day) is a day to thank bridesmaids and maids of honour for all their hard work. It’s usually celebrated on 25 March. Think of it as the perfect excuse to take your hat off to the friends who help make the big day happen.
The day was started by Butlers in the Buff and hen party organisers Hen Heaven. When we launched it, our research found 25 March was one of the busiest days of the year for booking hen parties. It’s the moment many bridesmaids realise time is running out!
Why bridesmaids deserve a day of their own
Lots of women excitedly say yes to being a bridesmaid without realising quite what they’ve signed up for. The role takes a big chunk of your time, and often your money too. And organising the hen party is usually the biggest job of all.
There are hours spent answering guests’ questions, shopping for gifts and decorations, planning games and travelling to meet-ups. One bridesmaid told us her magic-wand wish was simple. She wanted every guest to reply to her emails quickly, with a clear and final answer!
Some bridesmaids go above and beyond, as our past searches for the UK’s best bridesmaid have shown. One winner planned a whole hen weekend of rugby, cocktails and an ’80s night out from the other end of the country. She made sure the bride could enjoy every part of it.
How to celebrate your bridesmaids
Whether you’re the bride or one of the hens, here’s how to show your bridesmaids some love. These ideas work on National Bridesmaids Day or any day of the year!
1. Say a proper thank you
A heartfelt thank you goes a long way. Tell your bridesmaids how much their hard work means to you, whether that’s in a card, a speech or a toast at the hen party.
2. Treat them to a thoughtful gift
A little gift shows you’ve noticed all their effort. Think a pretty jewellery box or a personalised keepsake they’ll treasure.
3. Let them put their feet up at the hen
Bridesmaids often spend the hen party running around, topping up drinks and checking everyone’s happy. Book a Butler in the Buff to take over the hosting, from serving drinks to running the party games. Then your bridesmaids can sit back and enjoy all their hard work paying off.
4. Plan a treat just for them
Give your bridesmaids an experience to remember. A hen party cocktail masterclass, where everyone makes three cocktails, is a brilliant way to toast them. For something cheekier, try hen party life drawing.
5. Make their job easier
If you’re one of the hens, the best gift might be the simplest one. Reply to the bridesmaid’s messages quickly, give her a clear answer and pay on time. She’ll love you for it!
Top tips for bridesmaids planning the hen
Been asked to organise the hen? Here’s our best advice, gathered from real-life bridesmaids.
- Keep the bride in mind. It’s her hen party, not yours, so put her tastes first. Listen out for any hints she drops, too!
- Set a realistic budget before you invite guests. Add a little extra as a buffer, and if there’s any left over, treat the whole group. If money is tight for some guests, offer a few optional activities.
- Plan as far ahead as you can. There’s no such thing as too early. Once the big things are booked, you can relax and prepare cute extras, like decorations, little gifts for guests or a personalised gift for the bride.
- Send guests all the details in one go. Ask everything you need upfront, such as drink choices, dietary needs and room sharing. It saves you from endless back-and-forth emails.
- Get some help on the night. A Butler in the Buff can serve the drinks and host the hen party games, so you can spend more time with your friends. Our hen party packages make planning even easier.
Bridesmaid facts and folklore
Bridesmaids have been around for a very long time, and they come with some fun traditions.
- The role is often said to date back centuries, to when the bride’s friends dressed like her to confuse evil spirits who might try to snatch her away.
- The phrase “often a bridesmaid, but never a bride” is said to come from a 1920s mouthwash advert.
- Superstition says “thrice a bridesmaid, never a bride”. The good news? Folklore says you can break the curse by being a bridesmaid seven times!
Happy National Bridesmaids Day!
To every bridesmaid out there: thank you. Whether you’re planning a hen or celebrating your own bridesmaids, we’d love to help make it unforgettable.
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