Stephany Toman
Many of us have played the role. It's a role we've taken seriously. We've shored up the frazzled bride's spirits, run endless errands, helped make a multitude of decisions along the wedding planning way, and have always, in the end, had a rumpled chiffon or satin or silk or some mystery material dress and tired tootsies to show for it. And we will never ever wear the dress again. Ever.
But we'd do it again, because it's about solidarity and the joy of the event. And possibly because some of us have just never learned to say 'no' with authority.
A few stories from bridesmaids who have been there, and done that.
Daphne, 30
I was a bridesmaid last summer. The bride was a bit intense and very concerned with our appearance. She made us have matching manicures, pedicures, shoes, hair (straight, blown-out), make-up – everything. The final straw was when she asked us to get spray-tans for the wedding. I begrudgingly obliged, but it was one of those hot, sticky days. Let’s just say my yellow chiffon dress had orange streaks down the front – I melted like the wicked witch of the east.
Cameron, 23
I was a bridesmaid this past December. The dresses weren’t the most flattering – long red satin v-neck, with crystal embellishment on the chest. Dresses aside, the bridesmaids knew for certain the bride didn’t want anyone looking better than her on her day when she insisted none of us get our hair done for the wedding! But my favorite memory was being asked by an inebriated groomsman how it felt to be “the only single girl at the wedding.”
Melisse, 29
I was a bridesmaid in my only brother’s wedding. My brother’s wife was a Bridezilla. I detest wearing my hair up, but she insisted. The bridesmaids had to have the same style as her. To keep the peace, I let the stylist pile my hair high on my head, securing it in place
with about a can of Aquanet. I didn’t even fuss when long tendrils were left loose and curled. As I walked down the aisle I overheard one of the guests saying we looked like poodles.
Jana, 34
I was a bridesmaid in my younger brother’s wedding. His wife has quite the figure and let one of her fashion friends design our dresses. The dresses arrived the week of the wedding and were obscenely short, especially for a Catholic wedding! We begged for extra fabric, but no luck. Let’s just say there were several gasps when we started the procession down the aisle and my grandfather nearly fainted. I showed all of New Jersey my butt that night, and not by choice.
Suzanne, 27
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding several years ago, where the maid of honor had to be taken home at 10pm. She had a few too many and not only vomited several times during the ceremony, but also proceeded to hit on the father of the groom. She had no recollection, but was horrified the next day when we filled her in.
Leslie, 28
I was a bridesmaid in a wedding recently. During photos, we noticed one of the tables in the reception area had lit on fire (the bride was big on candles). I had asked my friend to hold my purse while I did my duties, but unfortunately she had left my bag unattended on a
table – bet you can guess which one! Satin is very flammable apparently.
Thank all of you who contributed to this bridesmaid retrospective!
