New last minute bridesmaid

Dont' replace her. It's kind of a slap in the face to both the woman you're replacing and the last minute stand-in who is only being asked as a backup. (if she were truly one of you nearest and dearest, you would have asked her in the first place).

If it were me, I wouldn't ask her. She's going to know that she was a second pick, and not many people take that well. I would skip replacing your old bridesmaid, and save some feelings from being hurt!

Does she need to be replaced? If you are worrying about the bridesmaids/groomsmen being uneven then one person short won't hurt anything.

I agree with others, I just wouldn’t replace her. Wedding parties don’t need to be equal numbers

Agree with PP. Don't do it. Just have a groomsman escort two ladies if you're worried about that. The men like to play it up as them being special, and no one will bat an eye at the sides being uneven.

This person would unlikely have time to find a dress anyways, and it does come off as super rude "sorry you weren't good enough to make the first cut, but could you help me out now and stand in as a photo prop to make sure everything looks balanced?" (not saying that's your motivation, but that's how it could very easily come off).

I'm with everyone else. There's no need to replace your friend who now can't make it. Doing so might hurt her feelings and make your new friend feel like an afterthought.

I would not replace your pregnant BM. No matter how you phrase it, the new girl will see herself as second choice.

Unless the new bridesmaid is only someone you have gotten close to since the postponed wedding date, I would also not ask her. If she is a new but important person in your life, then try and stress that you are glad you had the time to get to know her better and want her to be there with you on your wedding day.


I was a "backup bridesmaid" for my FSIL's wedding but it wasn't a backhanded compliment since I had only been dating my FH for a few months when she asked. She was trying to show that although I was a new person in her life that she would be happy for me to be there for her on her wedding day. She was also extremely OCD and the idea of an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen drove her crazy.

I agree, don't replace her. We had 4 bds to 6 gm and 1 of my girls dropped out just now (2 months before wedding). Now we're 3 bds to 6 gm and I'm totally fine with that. I too have people I can ask but I'd rather have my "main girls" with me that day even if it's just us 4 girls. You'll be fine, not everything has to be symmetrical and "perfect".

I wouldn't ever replace a bridesmaid especially this close to the wedding. I'd just leave it with how you have it.

I agree with PP, I wouldn't replace her! It will make her feel like a second-string bridesmaid

I agree with the others, one person short on one side isn't a huge deal.