In the ever-evolving wedding industry, a unique career opportunity has emerged: professional wedding attendants. Whether serving as a bridesmaid or groomsman for hire, these professionals help couples create their perfect day while alleviating stress and filling gaps in wedding parties. If you’ve attended countless weddings and found yourself naturally taking charge or diffusing tension, you might have what it takes to turn these skills into a lucrative side hustle or full-time career.

What Is a Professional Bridesmaid or Groomsman?

Professional wedding attendants are hired to fulfill traditional wedding party roles. They might join an existing group of friends/family or serve as the entire wedding party. Unlike wedding planners who focus on logistics, professional attendants provide emotional support, handle day-of emergencies, and ensure the couple and their guests have a seamless experience.

Services typically include:

• Standing in the ceremony and appearing in photos
• Planning and coordinating pre-wedding events
• Providing emotional support and stress management
• Handling family tensions or difficult personalities
• Managing logistical issues on the wedding day
• Ensuring the wedding party stays on schedule
• Emergency kit management and problem-solving

Why People Hire Professional Wedding Attendants

Couples hire professional wedding party members for various reasons:

• Evening out unbalanced wedding parties
• Filling in when friends/family are unavailable
• Adding experienced support without burdening loved ones
• Managing complex family dynamics
• Getting help with destination weddings
• Addressing specific wedding day concerns

Step 1: Develop the Necessary Skills

Before launching your professional attendant business, ensure you’ve mastered these essential skills:

• Emotional Intelligence: You’ll need to read situations, manage emotions, and provide appropriate support at high-stress moments.
• Organization: From coordinating bachelor/bachelorette parties to keeping everyone on schedule, organizational skills are critical.
• Problem-Solving: Wedding days rarely go perfectly. Your ability to quickly and calmly address issues will be invaluable.
• Interpersonal Skills: You’ll work with diverse personality types, often mediating between family members or wedding party participants.
• Physical Stamina: Wedding days are long. You’ll be on your feet for hours, often in uncomfortable attire and varying weather conditions.
• Interpersonal Skills: You’ll work with diverse personality types, often mediating between family members or wedding party participants.

Industry Knowledge: Understanding wedding traditions, etiquette, and current trends will help you provide informed guidance.

Step 2: Determine Your Services and Pricing

Decide which services you’ll offer and establish your pricing structure. Research competitors in your area to determine market rates. Common service packages include:

Basic Package ($250-500):

• Attendance at the ceremony and reception
• Participation in photos
• Basic day-of support

Standard Package ($500-1,000):

• Everything in the basic package
• Pre-wedding consultation
• Wedding rehearsal attendance
• Emergency kit preparation
• Coordination with other vendors

Premium Package ($1,000-2,000+):

• Everything in the standard package
• Planning/attending pre-wedding events (bachelor/bachelorette parties, showers)
• Speech writing assistance
• Extended emotional support
• Post-wedding cleanup or gift management

Consider offering à la carte services like speech writing ($100-200), emergency kit preparation ($50-150), or day-of coordination ($300-500).

Step 3: Create Your Brand and Online Presence

Establishing a professional presence is crucial for attracting clients:

Business Name and Identity: Choose a memorable, professional name that communicates your services.

Website: Create a polished website featuring:

• Service descriptions and pricing
• Your background and qualifications
• Testimonials (once you have them)
• Professional photos
• Contact information
• Booking process

Social Media: Establish accounts on platforms relevant to the wedding industry:

• Instagram for visual portfolio building
• Pinterest to connect with couples planning weddings
• Facebook for community building and business page
• TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and tips

Business Cards: Design professional cards to distribute at venues and to vendors.

Step 4: Build Your Network

Success in this industry relies heavily on relationships:

• Connect with Wedding Planners: They can refer clients who need additional support.
• Venue Relationships: Introduce yourself to popular wedding venues in your area.
• Vendor Network: Build relationships with photographers, florists, caterers, and DJs who might refer your services.
• Join Wedding Industry Groups: Participate in local and online wedding industry associations.
• Wedding Expos: Consider exhibiting at or attending bridal shows and wedding expos.

Step 5: Create Supporting Materials

Develop materials that streamline your business and enhance the client experience:

Client Questionnaires: Create detailed intake forms to understand each couple’s needs.

Contracts: Develop clear contracts outlining services, boundaries, and cancellation policies.

Emergency Kits: Assemble comprehensive emergency kits containing items like:

• Safety pins, fashion tape, and sewing supplies
• Pain relievers, antacids, and bandages
• Stain removers and lint rollers
• Makeup for touch-ups
• Phone chargers
• Weather-specific items (umbrellas, fans, etc.)

Planning Templates: Create templates for timelines, checklists, and other planning documents.

Step 6: Market Your Services

Implement a multi-faceted marketing strategy:

• SEO-Optimized Content: Create blog posts addressing common wedding concerns and highlighting how your services provide solutions.
• Styled Shoots: Participate in styled photoshoots with other vendors to build your portfolio.
• Client Testimonials: Request reviews from satisfied clients and feature them prominently.
• Referral Program: Offer incentives for vendors or past clients who refer new business.
• Targeted Ads: Consider paid advertising on wedding platforms like The Knot or WeddingWire.

Step 7: Prepare for Challenges

Anticipate and prepare for common challenges in this profession:

• Emotional Boundaries: Develop strategies for maintaining appropriate emotional boundaries while providing support.
• Physical Demands: Plan for self-care before and after events to manage the physical toll.
• Difficult Personalities: Prepare techniques for handling challenging family dynamics or intoxicated guests.
• Scheduling Complexity: Develop systems for managing multiple clients, especially during peak wedding season.
• Unexpected Situations: Create contingency plans for common wedding day emergencies.

Step 8: Expand and Evolve Your Business

As you gain experience, consider these growth opportunities:

• Team Building: Hire and train additional attendants to handle more bookings.
• Service Expansion: Add complementary services like vow writing assistance or honeymoon planning.
• Geographic Expansion: Offer your services for destination weddings or in multiple cities.
• Educational Content: Develop workshops or online courses for couples planning weddings.
• Product Development: Create and sell wedding emergency kits or planning guides.

Success Stories

Many professional wedding attendants have built thriving businesses. Jen Glantz, founder of Bridesmaid for Hire, turned a Craigslist ad into a nationwide business featured in major publications. Similarly, Kevin Noel launched Groomsman for Hire after noticing the gap in the market for professional male attendants. These pioneers demonstrate the potential of this unique career path.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a professional bridesmaid or groomsman combines the joy of participating in meaningful celebrations with the satisfaction of solving problems and supporting people during significant life events. While challenging, this career offers flexibility, creativity, and the opportunity to be part of countless unforgettable moments.

If you love weddings, thrive under pressure, and excel at connecting with people, this unconventional career might be perfect for you. Start small, focus on delivering exceptional service, and watch your business grow through word-of-mouth and strategic marketing.

Remember, at its core, this profession is about helping couples enjoy their special day with minimal stress. Your ability to anticipate needs, solve problems gracefully, and maintain a positive attitude through it all will determine your success in this rewarding field.