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Dedicated February 2020

Bridesmaid Drama - Replacement Bridesmaid -personal Attendant

Michelle, on January 26, 2020 at 7:23 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7
So it's a month out before the wedding and I've officially lost my mind. Also having intense amounts of drama and crazy life events happening all over. My mom and one of my best friends have recently had significant health problems that have involved blood clots. My mom has just been released in his able to fly to my wedding. My friend is no longer able to travel. She was one of my maids of honor. Another 1 of my bridesmaids is not responding to any communication at all and I'm fairly positive is not going to go to the wedding because she can't afford it but she won't talk to me. Which is a whole different problem. Since I can't actually talk to her I have to at this point assume she is most likely not going. I know she does not have a flight yet, which I imagine is why she is avoiding talking to me.



So I have two bridesmaids left, one of which is my other maid of honor. Both of them are on the other side of the country and both of them are amazing.
I am having massive amounts of anxiety about only having 2 bridesmaids. Part of me knows this is very stupid, and the reality is I also have to male friends who are in the wedding party. At the same time it is starting to really bother me that I will only have 2 girls getting ready with me, since I was mentally prepared for 4 up until 3 days ago. Technically the one girl could still go but at some point in the very near future I'm going to have to cancel things like her HMU, bouquet, nails, change head count for caterer, etc.
Let me just say that I think asking somebody to be a backup bridesmaid is kind of a d*** move. However, my MOH and childhood closest friend are nearly the same size, and she has been insanely helpful - she even helped my mom host my bridal shower at her own house. I have been feeling incredibly guilty that I didn't make her a bridesmaid since last April, but I picked my bridesmaids in January and couldn't afford more than 4 due to the things we are covering for them (including housing in our large rental house which space was limited).
None of that is anything, however I have then freaking out and one of my sort of a rational ideas has been to ask her if she would step in period I do not actually think she would be offended. We have known each other most of our entire lives and I've do feel like I could talk to her honestly and she would be happy to help. At the same time she is now asking me if I have a personal attendant. I have a day of coordinator. I really looked up the personal attendant thing to see what it is and continue to be kind of appalled at it being a bridesmaid that's not a bridesmaid. However this makes me feel like maybe I could ask her to step in as a bridesmaid and she would be just fine with it. On the other hand I have other friends who have also heard what has happened with wonder to of my bridesmaids and are offering significant help to us during our rehearsal dinner, wedding, and/or day after brunch. So on an equally anxious and awkward foot I feel that it is not fair for me to ask her and do nothing for the others.
This is probably all stupid but nevertheless I am freaking out.

7 Comments

Latest activity by Michelle, on January 30, 2020 at 3:46 PM
  • N
    VIP September 2020
    Neeva ·
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    I think you shouldn't promote her to bridesmaid but you can invite her and another girl that has helped you out to get ready with you since that is something you are processing.

    Sorry about the issues with your other bridesmaids. Best of luck!

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    I think it's wedding stress getting to you. What do wrong with having two ladies to get ready with? I have one and I am super happy because she's my best friend. I know it's not what you imagined but it will still be a special day.
    • Reply
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I think you need to stick with your current bridal party. If you wanted to add this person before, great. But adding her now that others have dropped out is a slap in the face.
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  • Sarah
    Devoted November 2021
    Sarah ·
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    I've also struggled with an unresponsive bridesman so I know how stressed you are. It's really crappy of her to do that to you.

    It sounds like you really do want to ask your childhood friend to step in. I know your feelings are conflicted, but take some time to dwell on it and decide which decision would make you happiest in the long run.
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  • A
    Master June 2020
    Anna ·
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    I see no harm, in asking your childhood friend to step in. Sounds like she would be thrilled.
    I have 3 long time friends, that mean the world to me. I did not include them in the bridal party, because of the distance between us, travel wise. I didn't want to burden them with extra expenses beyond traveling to my wedding.

    I'm going to honor them. I'm sitting them with my family and I'm making them wristlets to wear for the wedding.
    They will be listed as honorary bridesmaids, because they hold a place of honor in my life. Smiley smile
    Congratulations! Follow your heart ❤
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  • Sherry
    Master September 2019
    Sherry ·
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    I would keep things are they are currently. If anyone didn't make the original cut, they shouldn't be added later as a convenience.

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  • M
    Dedicated February 2020
    Michelle ·
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    Thank you to everyone that read, gave feedback, and talked me down.


    In case anyone was interested:
    I decided to talk to hervand just see how it went without me going any direction. In a very sweet way, she basically asked to be my Personal Attendant. I feel this is less replacey than making her a bm, which she wouldn't have been sad about last minute, but she asked and seems over the moon excited about. (Personally I still feel like it's odd, but apparently its the cultural norm for where she is, she had one, etc.). So I laid out everything we have going on for the wedding day, and she actually critically looked it over and suggested things she could do to help out. A couple were details I'd overlooked, so I was grateful for that. I have invited her to get ready with us, got her a robe (same color as bridesmaids because... I just think its the prettiest one and I give up at this point. I did buy it for her, not reuse from one of the others), and invited her to hair and makeup, which I'm paying for. I still feel weird but I figure she seems happy with it, we don't have to figure out how to get her a used bridesmaids dress since its passed the window to order, and no one will feel "replaced". I'm really not asking her to do anything but generically be there to help if things come up so hopefully she feels honored. I feel better, so I guess its a win?
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