How to respond if a Potential Bridesmaid declines invitation

I've told myself if someone can't do it then I'll just have to be understanding. I plan to say well thanks for telling me upfront and I hope you can come as guest still.

There's really no way to respond other than, "OK, thanks. I hope you will be available to attend as a guest."

There are lots of completely valid reasons to decline an offer and this shouldn't affect your friendship.

Sometimes we just have to accept and move forward. As PP said, there's lots of reasons someone might decline a BM proposal. Most of the time it doesn't mean they dislike you - life is crazy and expensive simultaneously. You're going to be okay

“I completely understand. I hope you can still attend as a guest.”

Unfortunately, there isn't much that you can do or say other than okay. You'd rather them tell you no then them try to be in the wedding if they don't want/can't be.

Just accept it. I have a best friend from college that absolutely do not want to be my BM. We talked about it before I even got engaged. After I got engaged, I explained to her that if she’s worried about finance, all she has to do is pay for her dress. I told her she doesn’t have to attend any parties besides rehearsal and wedding days, nor pay for hair, etc. All I am asking is to have her buy her own dress, she still didn’t want to. So I ended up didn’t ask her. I am happy with my 5. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.

There are lots of reasons people can and might decline. But until someone does, I wouldnt worry or fret over it. Chances are, their reasoning will be completely acceptable (lack of finances, time, too much stress in life, etc) and it probably won't be for their lack of caring about you. All that really matters is that you extend those who you want the chance to stand by your side!

Did she give you a reason?

I wouldn't get upset about it, sometimes it's better to let things go than keep digging to find out why. People are always going through things but money can play a big factor.

One responded with her reason why it was a difficult decision for her, but she is going to be a bridesmaid. Basically, i’m a christian, and i’m marrying a non-christian. Without getting into the details, it has been a long 5.5 year journey for me to come to the decision to marry him. And i know it’s the absolute right decision. And i know they have their beliefs about it, which I can understand. It is just hurtful to me if they decide not to be a part of my big day. I guess i’ll get over it one day. Thanks ladies for all your support.

View Quoted Comment Guest are also a part of your big day. And nicer that someone with religious or social differences happily be a guest, then be close enough that you cannot help but feel a clash of views throughout. It puts up a boundary that keeps you friends, by avoiding friction or conflict. For the same reason that fences can improve relationships between neighbors, deciding to be a guest, therefore observing not participating, can be a nice, friendship preserving thing. Be happy. And have no need to feel like you must justify yourself to Bridesmaids with whom you have differences. A win on both sides. Take it as one.

Thank you Judith! Well said!!

I think saying they’ll regret it is kind of a stretch and a little high and mighty. They will have their reasons, and you need to understand them. It doesn’t mean they don’t care about you.

There are a lot of very valid reasons to decline a bridesmaid proposal. You're just going to have to say I'm sorry to hear that and I hope you can come as a guest. I had a bridesmaid come to me shortly before picking out dresses and state she wan't going to be able to afford the dress because of her medical bills. I made her an usherette instead. Things happen, don't let it destroy your friendship