Bridesmaid drama may strike at any point during your wedding planning process. Bridesmaids can get upset over everything from their dress colour to the venue to their bridesmaid duties. However, there are a few ways to prevent this from sabotaging your big day, so you can relax and enjoy it.
Choose your bridesmaids carefully.
Choosing your bridesmaids is one of the most enjoyable yet challenging aspects of wedding planning. You want your friends to be involved, but you also aim to avoid anyone feeling left out. Opt for friends who are reliable, trustworthy, loyal, and organized, while steering clear of those who exhibit traits of irresponsibility, jealousy, or haphazardness. A good bridesmaid can be a tremendous help, from brainstorming the best bachelorette party ideas to ensuring that your big day runs smoothly; they always strive to put their best foot forward. Conversely, a bad bridesmaid can be a hindrance. Therefore, even if you desire your best friend to be your maid of honor, refrain from choosing them if they’re likely to make things more challenging for you.
Set your expectations of your bridesmaids early on.
Once you’ve asked someone to be your bridesmaid, you must set some expectations. You want to make sure everybody has enough time to plan, you may want to set limits on certain items like dresses or flowers, and you want everybody to get along. Setting expectations from the very beginning will help make the planning process easier and smoother so you can enjoy your special day.
Check in with your bridesmaids regularly.
As your wedding day approaches, you want to know that everything is in order and under control. To avoid confusion, make sure your bridesmaids are doing what they need to be doing when they need to be doing it. Delegate responsibility to each bridesmaid and ensure they know their responsibilities. The last thing you want is for one bridesmaid to think someone else is dealing with something they’re meant to be dealing with.
Encourage your bridesmaids to rely on and help each other.
Being asked to be a bridesmaid is an honour, but it’s also a big responsibility. It’s important to encourage them to provide each other with support, especially as the wedding day approaches and everyone starts to get stressed. This is another reason you need to choose your bridesmaids carefully – they all need to get on and they all need to be team players.
Don’t be afraid to cut members from the party.
If someone isn’t pulling their weight, you need to be honest with them and ask them to step away from their duties. Tell them that it isn’t personal, but wedding planning requires a lot of work and a lot of help. If they aren’t prepared to put in the time and effort that everyone else puts in, they need to let someone else take their place.
Respect their time and budget.
Saying this, you need to ensure your bridesmaids are finding a balance between wedding planning and everything else in their life. The last thing you want is for your bridesmaids to burn out before the big day, so take it easy on them. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to organise everyone! Also, don’t push people to spend more on their dresses than they’re comfortable with. If you want your bridesmaids to wear high-fashion gowns, you need to pay for these yourself. Otherwise, the options are limited to your bridesmaids’ budgets.
Deal with issues ASAP and lean on your other friends & family.
At the end of the day, your partner, family and friends are all there to support you. You don’t need to do everything yourself, and if you need someone to take the reigns for a while, don’t be afraid to let go of them. The last thing you need is to reach your wedding day as a nervous wreck!
The best thing you can do to avoid the drama of bridesmaids is to be upfront with your future bridesmaids about your expectations. You can state in summary that you want them to show respect for you and the wedding and that you want them to behave appropriately. Also, you should make sure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities at the wedding. Follow the tips above and everything will be fine!