The word bridal can be used to describe anything having to do with a wedding or the couple getting married. It’s also sometimes used as an adjective to describe something elegant, luxurious or pretty. But most often it refers to the bride, her attendants and her family. The word derives from an Old English word meaning “wedding feast.”
Many people know that a bride and groom have maids of honor and groomsmen in their wedding parties. These are usually the closest friends of the bride or groom, who will attend pre-wedding celebrations like bachelor or bachelorette parties and bridal showers. The maid or matron of honor will often be the person who helps the bride with planning her wedding, while the groomsmen will usually help him plan his. In today’s society, many couples choose to include mixed gender members in their bridal parties. Traditionally, these roles were based on fixed gender norms and nuclear families, but now many brides and grooms want to include their close friends of the opposite gender and those in non binary relationships.
In addition to bridesmaids and groomsmen, some wedding parties include flower girls and ring bearers. Flower girls are usually young children who will walk down the aisle ahead of the bride, spreading flowers as they go. This can be a child of the bride or groom, a niece or a friend’s daughter. The ring bearer is in charge of carrying the couple’s rings down the aisle. This can be a boy or girl, and it’s not unusual for a beloved pet to be the ring bearer, as long as they are well-behaved and have adult supervision.
Bridal portrait sessions are also popular among couples who want to commemorate their big day. They’re typically shot in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and they’re a great way for the bride or groom to get comfortable with being photographed. It’s also a great opportunity for the photographer to get to know the bridal party and learn more about them as people.
Aside from bridal portraits, the word bridal can also be used to describe any special decorations that a bride or groom might have in their wedding ceremony or reception. The most common decorations are floral arrangements, but some couples also have decorative items like a unity candle or a guest book.
If you’re an event planner, wedding photographer or another type of vendor, you might want to add “bridal” to your list of services to make it easier for potential clients to find you. Using the term in your marketing can also give you more credibility and boost your visibility on social media. Plus, it’s a good way to show off your expertise. For example, if you’re a wedding photographer, sharing photos from a recent bridal session can showcase your skills and inspire future clients. To do this, you can add the caption “bridal portraits by ____” to your Instagram post. You can even add a link to your website so that prospective clients can learn more about you and see more of your work.