by Bridgett Bartlett

Being a bridesmaid isn’t easy. I know, I’ve been one…hmmm, let’s just say a lot. There are dozens of ways for brides to piss their attendants off in the midst of wedding planning but below are five painless ways to keep friendships in tact so that your girls are still your girls by the time you leave for your honeymoon. 

Remember You’re Getting Married, Not Everyone in Your Circle Planning a wedding, yes even a small, low-key one, can become all-consuming. But your bridal party still has lives to lead. In Mr. TK and I’s bridal party, we have a friend who is a hiccup away from closing on a home, a friend who is planning a pretty lavish Sweet 16 party for her daughter and another friend who is actively seeking full-time employment. Needless to say our wedding is important to them all but they have other ish going on in their lives that often takes precedence.

Be Considerate When Selecting Their Attire Blowing $300 (after alterations) for a dress you’ll likely only wear once is lame. Very lame. J. Crew, Ann Taylor and a plethora of other fashionable and affordable resources now offer bridesmaid dresses. And keep in mind that any dress can be a bridesmaid dress if it fits your vision so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Hello H&M!

Try to Pick Up the Tab For Something I’m providing the jewelry and shoes for my bridal party. FYI – They all approved the shoes before I ordered them. (This doubles as a way to keep the look cohesive since they’re selecting their own dresses.) I am planning to cover the cost of their manicures as well. Maybe you want to pay for your bridesmaid’s hair styling and/or makeup application. The latter two can probably be obtained at a discounted rate if you have three or more bridesmaids. Some couples cover any necessary hotel costs for their bridal party. Mr. TK and I cannot afford that but if you can, it is a nice (and much appreciated I’m sure) gesture.

Follow the link to read full article – 5 WAYS TO ENSURE YOUR BRIDESMAIDS DON’T HATE YOU AFTER YOUR WEDDING