Being a bridesmaid is fun and exciting. However, it is also a job of incredible honor and responsibility. From planning the bridal shower to the bachelorette party, it’s no secret that being in a bridal party can be tough. There may be bridesmaids who you may bond really well with but there may also be a few that you find it hard to get along with.
If you’re a bridesmaid having trouble fitting into the bride’s social circle, here are 7 tips that you should keep in mind and you’ll be sure to enjoy every moment by your friend’s side on her journey to the aisle.
Style: #PR3263
1. Get To Know Other BM’s
Getting to know other bridesmaids is the foundation of building a relationship with them. You can create some downtime with the bride and other BM’s and go for a movie or for a couple of drinks and arrange for some off-wedding rendezvous where you can get loose and enjoy some time together apart from the wedding plans. This way you can really get to know each other and come together throughout the process which will make the wedding events more smooth and easy.
2. Stay Calm
As a bridesmaid, you need to be able to remain calm in the midst of all the wedding madness. The bridal prep is a very emotional time so create a calm environment from the start to keep the nerves at bay. There will be someone who will make the wedding party difficult but you need to stay calm and keep things organized for both yourself and the bridal party. If someone really frustrates you, avoid drama and focus on other important things that require your attention. Remember it may be your honesty, sense of responsibility or your understanding nature that made the bride choose you to be a part of her big day.
Styles ( from left to right ): #LD3932 & #COZK15009; Image Credit: Kenzie Fairchild Photography
3. Confide To A Friend
If things get too hot to handle, try confiding to a bridesmaid you bond well with. She can loop in as a peacekeeper to break the stress and keep things neutral. Sometime you may even be creating things in your head that aren’t necessarily true so sharing it with someone will help you get things off your mind and enable you to get a clearer picture of the situation. Don’t bother the bride with your problems, she already has enough to worry about. Instead, talk to the maid of honor so that you can sort out things smoothly without added burden on the wedding preparations.
4. Keep Yourself In Check
The most important thing is to be good yourself to avoid strained relationships with other bridesmaids. Be genuine and offer a helping hand when someone needs it. Avoid small talk and gossip. Drama only makes things worse so stay grounded and handle things with maturity and integrity. However, make sure to recognize the difference between excusable and acceptable behavior and don’t let anyone take you for granted. At the most, respect everyone’s views and don’t force your opinion onto others.
Styles ( from left to right ): #COZF17019 & #LD3932; Image Credit: Lauren Liz Photography
5. Have A Heart To Heart
If you feel offended or downtrodden by the behavior of someone in your bridal party, sit down and have a real talk. If someone is acting offbeat, ask her what’s bothering her and how you can help. Many people often throw a fit when they feel neglected or unheard. And others just need an excuse to vent. Explain to her what bothers you and ask her for her insights. Offer your ideas on how you can resolve the conflict and ask for her advice on how you can work together to resolve the problem. Once you’ve both cleared the air you should be able to move ahead.
6. Shine Together
The dress makes an important part of being a bridesmaid and is often the main reason for a disagreement. There are bridesmaid dresses that offer variety in color, design, and style so choose dresses together that show off your best assets and be sure to ask everyone what they will feel most comfortable in. Work together with your party to find a dress that’s both within their style and budget and help them gather inspiration and ideas. Oh, and if you’re lacking ideas, lace bridesmaids dresses look amazing on all shapes and sizes and are totally in right now. Thank us later!
Styles ( from left to right ): #COZF140A1 & #LD3932; Image Credit: The Malibu Artists
7. Have Fun
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! It is unlikely that you’ll get the opportunity to be a bridesmaid very often. Enjoy yourself and see it as an opportunity to establish new connections. Share your life stories, rock your bridesmaid dresses together, play cheesy games on the bridal shower and pamper yourself to the fullest. At the most you’ll be staying with the girls for a few weeks, so why not make the most of it and enjoy the wedding bliss while it lasts!
Most importantly, be there for the bride because these events are her once-in-a-lifetime special moments. If you think being a bridesmaid is stressful, imagine what she must be going through. Anytime you feel overshadowed, remind yourself how lucky you are to have a friend that couldn’t say “I do” without you.