Photo: Jessica Christie Photography
Sure, being a bridesmaid is a huge honor, but it's never 100 percent easy for the bride or her 'maids. Of course celebrating one of your best friends or closest family members on the big day and helping to ensure it's extra special is amazing, but there are some logistical sides to participating in a wedding party that could throw a wrench in everything. Financial responsibilities are probably the number one cause of trouble, second to the long list of pre-wedding responsibilities, or a 'maids negativity (or jealousy) towards your relationship. As disappointing as these conflicts can be, there are solutions. Whether you're sick of your bridezilla best friend, or a 'maid of yours is being extremely unsupportive, here's some advice for how to quit being a bridesmaid or fire one tactfully.
Can I quit being a bridesmaid if it's too much of a financial burden or if my friend has turned into a major bridezilla?
First and foremost, whenever a conflict arises you should talk to the bride candidly. Especially with money conflicts, be open and honest about what you can and can't afford. Hopefully she'll be open to finding a new dress or picking a less expensive locale for her bachelorette. If all bridesmaids are in agreement, you should stand up to the bride together as a group. She's been your friend for years, she should understand!
How do I politely fire a bridesmaid who has been extremely negative the whole process?
Bridesmaids are there to support you, and if she's not willing to be there for you, then she isn't not doing her job. Speak honestly about your concerns, and if she's not receptive, you can always say that she may not have realized the responsibilities when she signed on, and because she's so dear to you, it's ok if she just wants to attend the wedding as a guest.