Usually a sister of bride or groom or a close friend is chosen as the chief bridesmaid. She may get a choice of dress and will have to discuss who pays for it... (enjoy that one). She will have the bride get dressed, help dress the younger children. She will accompany the bride's mother to the church or venue just ahead of the bride and her father. She will follow the bride up the aisle, possible help to rearrange her veil and to hold the bride's flowers throughout the ceremony.