According to Wikipedia, the original role of the bridesmaid was to dress in identical clothing as the bride and groom so that evil spirits couldn’t figure out who the bride and groom were.  It also kept ill-wishers from casting curses on the wedding.  In other traditions, the bride and groom would dress as the wedding party so that they blended in.  There were by tradition, 10 bridesmaids in attendance because Roman Law required that there be 10 witnesses at the wedding.

Gifts were given to the bridesmaids as a way of saying thank you for all they had done for the bride.  Originally the brides family would pay for the travel expenses and clothing requirements.  And in return bridesmaids would be expected to help pay for the parties the bride would want to have before the wedding (ie. wedding shower, bachelorette party).

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