“Being a member of a wedding party for one of my best friends was an amazing experience,” Beth said. She has top tips for any future bridesmaids on wheels.

Planning ahead and leaving extra time

Once you know you’re going to be a bridesmaid (yay!), “be sure to get as much information as possible from the bride-to-be,” she shares. This way you can plan ahead for anything you might need.

Don’t procrastinate on hotel reservations. Accessible rooms are in demand! Don’t get stuck outside of the wedding hotel just because you stalled on your reservation. “Read the fine print on your reservation and call the hotel to confirm the details, particularly if a roll-in shower is needed,” Beth says. If possible, visit the hotel and scope out the rooms ahead. It’s a good idea to call to the hotel again a day or two before the wedding to confirm the details.

“Try on your bridesmaid dress and shoes ahead of time,” Beth advises. “Especially if you’re like me and some fancy shoes fall off too easily.” With a little time and creativity, and perhaps a seamstress, it will work

Set up your transportation ahead of time. Pay attention to the details. “A strong friend (or two) can be invaluable if the transportation isn’t perfect, or if the right vehicle is too expensive for your budget.”

Know the schedule. “Ask the bride about the specific schedule for the wedding weekend so you know exactly where you need to be and when to be there and for how long.” Perhaps the biggest consideration is the length of time that each event might take. Aim for the perfect balance of liquids and restroom breaks, making sure you don’t get dehydrated.

Try to coordinate in advance with any escort you may be walking with (if there is one), so you know if its best to have someone push you or rest his/her hand on your shoulder while you push your chair.If you need a hand to push a manual chair, others will be happy to help.

Investigate accessibility well in advance

“My friend considered accessibility as she scheduled events, since her father and I share the same disability,” Beth shares. If you’re concerned there are not other guests in wheelchairs, be sure you get a sense of the accessibility way before the day of. If necessary, have a conversation with the bride-to-be ahead about your needs in case she does not have extensive disability experience. “If the wedding venue has stairs and no elevator, this is another instance where those strong friends are worth their weight in gold,” she shares.

And the biggest perk for bridesmaids on wheels? “The small bag hanging on the back of my chair proved immensely useful as a purse for me and all of the bridesmaids, especially when we all needed tissues to dab our eyes during the wedding without messing up our makeup!”

“Though I may have had too many glasses of wine, I also drank water, ate and took breaks,” Beth said. “I love dancing and enjoyed the reception until my boyfriend and I left at 5 am.”

With just a little preparation and consideration, there’s no reason you can’t be an amazing bridesmaid, Beth is proof!

Share this with a future bridesmaid on wheels!