What is the difference between bridesmaids and bride's attendants?

I just planned on having bridesmaids but I keep reading about having bride's attendants too and just want to know what the difference is.

The bride's attendants ARE the bridesmaids. Some people just don't like the word "bridesmaid" since often one or all of them are not actually "maids" (meaning single women).

There is no difference. Just two different ways of saying the same thing.

They are the same exact thing. Some couples have married women as bridesmaids - and the 'maid' part infers a single woman, so often the word attendant is used instead.

In a wedding party, bridesmaids = girls and bride's attendants = boys.

However, the bride may also have a personal attendant, flower attendant, guest book attendant, etc., who are probably going to be female.

same thing, just a different title.

it's interchangeable for msot purposes, people like to say attendant because "maid" means they have to be single (like maid of honor vs matron of honor).

you can also have a bridal attendant sepeartly from the wedding party, someone who will bustle your dress, get ice and such if you run out during the reception, etc.

I think it is just the modern name for bridesmaids because nobody wants to be knows as a maid.