I've just come across an article "how to pick your bridesmaids" and in it, it says the important question is "how many to have?" And stresses how fundamental bridesmaids are and having the 'right' amount of them to enable your big day to go ahead. It got me thinking...
The actual question surely should be are you having bridesmaids?? One must not assume you are; it's not the legal part of the wedding to have a group of girls doing whatever they have to do; a wedding can go ahead quite easily without bridesmaids. I know where the idea came about - in ancient times the bride would have a look-alike who would wear a similar gown and could act as a decoy should an unscrupulous imposter come to kidnap her... I know I'm difficult to live with so was certain no one would want to come and steal me!
I never had bridesmaids. I'm not sure how to word this, but I don't understand the concept for this day and age. Just going to put that out there, but don't hate me, let me explain!
I've never had anyone explain to me exactly why they had/ are having bridesmaids so if they did I may see it a bit more from the other side.
My best friend is my husband and obviously we organised, decided and arranged our wedding between us. Family members chipped in but more or less left us to do what we wanted. It never crossed my mind to involve anyone outside of us two majorly as it's us two that are in this marriage, no one else!
Don't get me wrong. I have some ladies in my life I get on really well with and two friends in particular who are always there for me; if I'd have decided to make them my bridesmaids I feel sure they'd have been great at whatever it is bridesmaids do...
I adore my friends and I value their friendship, support and advice now more than ever. I know I can turn to these people through good and bad; this makes me feel so happy.
It's the case that, for me, at our wedding, my view on it all was you're either the bride, the groom or the guests - I chose not to distinguish too much...
I'd love to hear of others' stories; to bridesmaid or not to bridesmaid and what it means to them
