Bridesmaid due to give birth on wedding date. Need advice!

She's one of your best friends and she wants to do it. Let her!

Why would it matter if she drops out at the last minute? I mean, I know you would be disappointed if she can't make it, but that's not exactly something she can control. (Pro tip: She won't show up if she's in labor.) If she's willing to buy the dress, knowing she might not be able to wear it anyway, I don't see how excluding her from the wedding from the beginning is better than taking the chance she won't make it.

Fair enough. Ive wanted to include her in all my planning and events until the big day and that's what I plan on doing. She just seemed unsure about being up there so close to the baby being due. I may just be overreacting. I guess it happens, right?

Maybe a fear of her going into labor at the wedding?

I totally understand. My niece is in my wedding and is due 10 days before my wedding. She is still standing up with me. Some things I've altered in this event...she will be at the end of the line so that if she needs to sit down she won't be far from the front row where a chair will be saved for her. And if she misses my wedding, of course I"ll be sad. But we will have my FH walk out with the two flower girls (which are his daughters). Good luck - hope this works out well for both of us.

@Rayna: If she's not in labor at the start of the ceremony, the likelihood that she will be in active enough labor to need to leave by the end of the ceremony is small. (People do not typically go from "not in labor" to "about to push the baby out" in under 45 minutes--although I do recall wishing that would happen when I was on hour 22 of my own labor.) And if it happens, she can leave quietly, without disturbing the ceremony.

Are you worried that if she has the baby a day or two early that she'll miss the wedding (sad) OR that the line up of the bridal party, ratio of groomsmen to bridesmaids will be off (logistical issue)? Or both?

The sad thing I really can't help with except to suggest making her a copy of your wedding video to watch weeks later.

The logistical aspect... I don't think it's that big of a deal because not everyone has equal numbers of BMs and GMs. But if you are really concerned one random thought is if you have a junior bridesmaid in your bridal party and the bridesmaid does miss your wedding due to the baby, you could pair the junior bridesmaid to a groomsman for the processional and recessional at the last minute.

From age 12-14 I had 3 cousins in a row get married and I was a junior bridesmaid, then a bridesmaid, then a junior bridesmaid again. In retrospect I feel bad for the 23 yr old guy who got stuck dancing with a 13 yr old girl but who cares. And lots of people aren't doing the full bridal party dance anymore.

People aren't doing the bridal party dance because making a 23-year-old dance with a 13-year-old is lame. They're lame. Awkward and lame. When I asked my sister to be my BM, her only question was, "Do I have to dance with some random guy?" LoL. Hells no!

OP, Worst case scenario is uneven sides, and there's nothing at all wrong with uneven sides. Don't sweat it, but be mentally prepared for her to not be there - just in case.

What's a bridal party dance? I've never heard of that.

It's when the bride and groom make their BMs and GM pair up and dance together for a song during the reception. It's the epitome of awkward because chances are you don't know the other person you're being forced to dance with and you're on display dancing with a stranger in front of all the guests.

Go with it! Whatever happens, happens. If she is truly your friend then she will be with you either way, in person or in spirit, just like you will be for her for her big day

I have always been of the opinion that she is your BM whether she can be there or not. If she can't be there your officiant can mention that she can't be with you today because she is giving birth but she is in your thoughts (that needs word smithing for sure).

If she is there have a chair nearby. If she isn't there send her her bouquet and gifts and let her know you are thinking of her.

What all are you trying to include her in?

Let her decide what she wants to do. My one BM will be giving birth a month before our wedding. I felt really guilty about her having to leave a newborn at home for my wedding. But She made the decision that she will wanted to be apart of it.

The thing about dues dates...they are an estimated guess...I have 3 girls that were all 3 weeks early (normal weights)....so she may have already had the baby by the time the actual wedding rolls around.

I was in a very similar situation with my best friend. Luckily, she has the baby a little early (3 weeks ago) so now she will be perfectly ready for the wedding (one week from today)! It worked out great!

Honestly, if your friends WANTS to help you and be there for you as a bridesmaid, I'd say go for it! If you both have the right attitude, everything will be great no matter the outcome!

My wedding is 10/1/16 and my cousin who is also a bridesmaid is due 9/5. She has decided to step down. I really want her to be in the wedding but pregnancy is soooooo unpredictable. Pregnancy is enough stress to deal with on top of trying to fulfill wedding duties. I would have hated for her to spend money on the dress and then she be stuck with it if she couldn't do it. There are just too many unknown things that could happen so she decided it was best for her to focus on her rather than me.

I would leave it up to her as others have said. It's not like you would replace her anyways.

My friend/BM found out she is due a week after my wedding with her first baby. She told me as soon as she found out in case I didn't want her in the wedding... what?! Does she not know me at all?! Must have been the pregnancy hormones already. Of course I'd want her still there. But then her doctor advised her against it in case she delivered early, or had high blood pressure and was on bed rest, or she may even just not want to be on her feet and up in front of people at that stage. So she said she'd be there for everything else - the planning, the parties, anything else I might need - she just won't be standing next to me, wearing the dress. I still consider her a bridesmaid and will be giving her a gift like all the other BMs for her help during the last year.

I would let your friend know that you're supportive of whatever she decides to do, even if it's last minute. If she's still willing to spend the money on the dress (and the alterations for her belly) but ends up not being able to wear it because she goes into labor or just isn't comfortable enough to be in front of people, that's ok. The point is she wants to be there with you throughout the entire process, no matter what happens at the end. That's a great friend!

Definitely let her decide what she's comfortable with, and mentally prepare yourself for any scenario! You both have no idea how her pregnancy will go and if she'll be comfortable or able to stand up there on your wedding day. Just be supportive and let her know that it's up to her!

Don't stress about it...first babies always come late anyways. :-)