How to be the best bridesmaid: tried and tested tips

When it comes to having a wide skill set, Katie Jenner has perfected the art. Accomplished blogger and bridesmaid extraordinaire, she gives us the low-down on how she used her ample knowledge to create her own blog and gives her advice on tackling the wedding day.

What made you set up the blog?
I set up Being the Bridesmaid just over a year ago now. My best friend had announced her engagement and asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. I was really pleased she had asked me, but it dawned on me that I knew absolutely nothing about weddings. I have never been a bridesmaid before! I set the blog up to find out more, so I could be more useful to my friend!

What have been the plus points of blogging?
For me, blogging has become a really fulfilling hobby, and my blog has developed in a way I never anticipated. I want my blog to look professional, so I have developed coding, Photoshop, social media, and SEO skills that I wouldn’t have done otherwise. Personally, I really enjoy chatting to other bloggers and fun brands too—being part of that community is nice!

What have the pitfalls (if any) been?
I wouldn’t say I have experienced any calamitous episodes. I think sticking to a publishing schedule, or feeling like you have to publish all the time, can be hard though, especially when you blog part time. There are a lot of huge, professional wedding blogs and websites out there that churn out five posts a day and have teams working for them. That’s something I can’t compete with!

How has it grown since you started and what have you learned?
Being the Bridesmaid started with absolutely zero followers, on a WordPress hosted blog, and I thought I might keep it going for 6 months or so, just to see if I enjoyed it. Since then, I have upgraded my blog so it is hosted privately, and I have a lot of active followers on social.

I used to look at other big wedding blogs and thought I could never compete—they are often professionals in the wedding industry. Now, I am a lot more comfortable with my tone of voice, and what I enjoy writing. There’s been a lot more ‘ugly bridesmaid dresses’ and jokey posts!

What advice would you give people when it comes to wedding photography?
I spent ages with my friend going around wedding fairs, and researching online looking for the perfect photographer. I think it must be one of the hardest things to choose. I think before you find a photographer, you should look at Pinterest or wedding magazines and decide what photography style you really like.

Make sure you meet the photographer, and have a good look at their portfolio. Photographers often offer packages, but you can order and arrange your own prints, postcards, and thank you cards independently (printed.com have some good options here!).

What advice would you give people one wedding stationery?
It’s all about personal taste really. I am a fan of the classic design—very thick card and nice embossed font. However, it just depends on what your wedding style is. I like the printed.com options, because you can just pick and choose what you want and make the style your own!

What advice would you give others in the wedding industry?
I am not a business person, nor do I make any profit from wedding planning. I just blog about what I know and my own experiences. I think the one thing I have learnt if you are planning your own wedding, is that you can go a bit over board, both in terms of cost, and also general stress. There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ wedding. Don’t feel you need to copy or buy everything you see on Pinterest. Do what you want!

What advice and tips would you give bridesmaids?
I made the mistake of doing vodka shots after a whole day drinking prosecco on the hen do. That was a mistake, so perhaps don’t do that! Be there to give your friend perspective. I think modern wedding planning is a complete stress, so if there are hiccups along the way you just need to keep things real! Generally, I think helping the bride any way you can, and splitting duties with your fellow bridesmaids is a good idea. Everyone has different skills they can contribute!

Final thoughts
For anyone planning a wedding: venue, food, stationery aside, remember your wedding day shouldn’t be one massive stress. Ultimately, it should be about you and the person you love—with all the people that love you—having a fun time!
For anyone starting a blog: take inspiration from other bloggers that you admire, and if you need help or advice, just ask. I write the blog for myself—if anyone else happens to enjoy it that’s a bonus! As in life, being yourself is best!

You can catch up with Katie on her blog, Being the Bridesmaid. Got any questions? Pop them in the box below!