Roles for Friends Who Aren't Bridesmaids

Guest. Not everyone you are close to has to be in the wedding.

I've heard of a proxy bride for another Mississippi wedding. Apparently this is popular in the Deep South? I think it's interesting! My friends would look at me like I had two heads if I asked them to do it, but I grew up in MD.

Oh my gosh, proxy bride? That's awful. I would never do that to someone

Why did you post this again? You didn't like the answers the first time.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/roles-for-friends-who-arent-bridesmaids/dc86e21f7384f29f.html

OGK thanks I thought I was going crazy

Umm "Proxy bride"? That is literally the worst role I've ever heard. It is ridiculously stupid. Worse than a guest book attendant. Don't do that to a friend and pretend it's some kind of honor. It's not.

WTH? You posted this again 30 minutes later? What is wrong with you?

LOL GymRat right! I'm glad your answer was the same as mine.

What about having her give a toast? Just keep in mind that speeches are rarely a great party time and keep it to a couple minutes.

Guest

I have been a proxy bride at the rehearsal, and it was an honor (even though I was single). I’m from Texas, and everyone in the South has heard of it even if they choose not to do it. It is both a superstition that the bride and groom can’t say I do’s until the real ceremony and an excuse for the bride seeing it all in motion and making changes as needed. My friend likes to joke that I was his first wife, even though it was a short marriage. Lol

I have some friends who are ushers as well as some who are taking up vendor-like roles. For example, a good friend who is an event coordinator volunteered to do reception decor and day-of coordination as her gift. I also have friends doing videography and photography (they do it professionally). Friends can also have small roles like guest book duty or handing out programs.

I met two friends at a new job after I had already picked my bridesmaids (and had too many to add anymore). One girl actually had asked me about my bridesmaids and I knew she really wanted to be one. So they are going to wear similar dresses to the bridesmaids and participate in all the things and take pictures, they just won’t walk because we simply don’t have enough groomsman. They are basically personal attendants and just happy to be involved 😊 but otherwise guest would do fine. A good friend will just want to celebrate you and your love

I have a couple extra friends who aren't in the bridal party but will be with us morning of, all getting ready together. They're not in the wedding, but I wanted them to be there with me day of so this seemed like a good solution

There are tons of ways to include them other than just being a guest 🙄. Have them join you while dress shopping, hair and makeup tests, they can help decorate the bridal shower and bachelorette parties, greet guests at the door and direct them to their seat, be your wedding coordinator to help with vendors on day of so you don’t have to worry about it, and mainly be a listening ear in the times that you need one.

Witness to sign registry