************
So remember when I said here that I was being interviewed by the Washington Post? Well the article is finally finished, and I am very satisfied with the outcome. In the article titled, "When ‘one special day’ grows to marathon of wedding fetes, is it too much?" author, Ellen McCarthy, discusses 'wedding fatigue,' the exhaustion that comes from being a friend of the bride or groom and having to go to multiple showers/engagement parties/bachelorette nights, etc. When she asked if I would be interested in sharing some stories or had any survival tips I was sort of torn. Of course I wanted to take an interview with the Washington Post, but I really didn't want to be misinterpreted. I truly love all my friends and the experiences I have had being a bridesmaid, and I wanted to stay true to myself. In life in general I try to make everything positive. If you know me outside of this blog you know this about me. I never quit. I try to make everyone feel included. And I will go above and beyond if a friend needs me. I have my flaws of course, but I truly pride myself in being a good friend. So when Ellen contacted me on dishing out the fatigue that comes with being a professional bridesmaid, I did what I would do in any situation I took out a notebook and prepared. I decided I would start by telling her I will help as much as I can, but my perspective will be positive. That is how I write my blog and I live my life. After reading the article I am so happy with what she took from our discussion. I couldn't be more honored or elated to stand by my best friends on their biggest day of their lives (and all the days they need me leading up to it). If I can't afford to go to an event, they understand if I say no. If I can't afford to give a gift, I know they do not care. The fact is if someone is expecting anything from you other than support and love on their big day, then I think that may be where the real problem lies. All the events, gifts and showers are just extra bonuses, do not feel your friend will be truly hurt if you aren't able to participate. If I approached my best friend and asked for her help that I can't afford the shoes or dress she wants, I would hope she could take a step back and accept it OR I think I would be the one HURT.
When you say "yes" to being a bridesmaid I think you need to accept the fact you will have to buy a dress. Hopefully the dress will be cost friendly, but if the wedding is 8+ months out you should be able to save enough cash up for that. As far as travel plans go, if the wedding is a destination or in her home town, you would probably be paying to attend even if you were not a bridesmaid, so that has nothing to do with accepting the honor. Other than attending the wedding and purchasing a dress, I do not think you have really any other monetary duties. If the showers are convenient for you to attend, you go. If you can afford to attend the destination bachelorette party and it works with your work schedule, you go. And if you can't go to any event for any reason, YOU DON'T GO. End of story. I know my Dad/boss probably won't read this, but he thinks I am insane with all the weddings and events I attend, but it is a priority in my life and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now it is my turn to be the bride and I am trying to approach my wedding from the perspective of the bridesmaid. I love all my friends so much and want to make sure they know how important they are to me. So I want to take a moment to tell my amazing sister/maid of honor Melissa, and nineteen beautiful bridesmaids (in alphabetical order) Abby, Ali, Ali Kali, Alison, Beth, Courtney, Dudy, Heather, Hillary, Jamie, Judi, Kate, LA, Lauren, Linus, Lisa, Nicole, Stephanie, and Weisberg that I truly love them, appreciate them, and wouldn't be where I was today if I didn't have each and everyone of them in my life. Some people may think I am crazy, but I just think I am lucky.
**********
Thank you so much to everyone for reading my blog today and everyday. I love having this outlet so much and I feel inspired everyday. I will be back next week with some normal pretty posts and I even have a fun wedding surprise to discuss! Have a great weekend and if you have a wedding this weekend enjoy and don't drink too much champagne!
Dudy loves you! Love this post! You're the best and I miss you!
ReplyDeleteI love your positive outlook and how you put everything in perspective! Very helpful for other bridesmaids :)
ReplyDeleteReading the article now!
Our guests could not stop talking about the food here, even telling us it was the most amazing food they'd ever had at a wedding.
ReplyDeleteinstyler max
ReplyDeleteversace
ray ban sunglasses
coach outlet
running shoes
cartier watches
canada goose jackets
new balance outlet
ed hardy uk
ralph lauren
coach outlet
christian louboutin outlet
toms shoes
michael kors outlet
puma shoes
calvin klein outlet
polo ralph lauren
ghd flat iron
hermes uk
kate spade outlet
toms outlet
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet online
prada bags
nike blazer
skechers shoes
canada goose jackets
calvin klein underwear
michael kors outlet
designer handbags
coach outlet
lacoste outlet
toms outlet
christian louboutin uk
true religion outlet
ray bans
air max 95
coach outlet store online
michael kors outlet
20164.1wengdongdong
ray ban sunglasses
ReplyDeletepolo shirts
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors online
hollister clothing store
ferragamo shoes sale
lululemon outlet
true religion jeans
ghd uk
coach outlet online
coach outlet store
nike air huarache
juicy couture outlet
rolex watches
hermes bags
tory burch outlet online
coach outlet online
burberry sunglasses on sale
nba jerseys
jordan shoes 2015
michael kors outlet
coach outlet store
true religion jeans outlet
christian louboutin online
reebok outlet store
michael kors factory outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
cheap jordans
nike roshe run
tory burch outlet
mcm outlet
tiffany and co jewelry
montblanc pens
coach outlet
kobe bryants shoes
16.6.1qqqqqing
snapbacks wholesale
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet clearance
hollister clothing
iphone case uk
ugg clearance
michael kors factory outlet
polo ralph lauren
michael kors handbags
ralph lauren uk
uggs outlet
ugg outlet
adidas trainers
herve leger outlet
ugg outlet online
ugg uk
cazal sunglasses
michael kors outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
louis vuitton handbags outlet
tiffany jewellery
michael kors bags
longchamp pliage
cheap uggs
toms shoes
babyliss flat iron
adidas nmd runner
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet clearance
lululemon outlet
ray-ban sunglasses
coach outlet clearance
coach outlet
longchamp pliage
nike outlet store
mulberry handbags
czq20160804
kate spade
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses
gucci handbags
official michael kors outlet
louis vuitton
fitflops
coach outlet store online
seattle seahawks jerseys
michael kors handbags
oakley store
mbt shoes
ugg boots
ralph lauren polo
jordan shoes
tiffany outlet
nike outlet
coach outlet store online
adidas ultra boost
christian louboutin outlet
jordan 13
ugg canada
uggs for cheap
jordan femme pas cher
celine
louis vuitton handbags
cheap ray ban sunglasses
giuseppe zanotti sneakers
ray ban sunglasses
tory burch outlet
kate spade handbags
ralph lauren polo
abercrombie kids
cheap jordan shoes
louis vuitton outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton handbags
jordan 3
louis vuitton handbags
ralph lauren
moncler jackets
20169.2wengdongdong
ferragamo shoesnot
ReplyDeletemichael kors handbags wholesalegraders
armani exchangeTHESE
nike trainersadd
michael kors handbagshow
michael kors handbagsup
nike air huaracheit
michael kors outlet onlineof
lebron james shoescounting
replica watchesitems!
fitflops sale
ReplyDeletepandora jewelry outlet
coach factory outlet store
michael kors outlet clearance
chaussures louboutin
pandora jewelry outlet
adidas store
coach outlet store
coach outlet online
oakley sunglasses outlet
2017223yuanyuan
atlanta falcons jersey
ReplyDeletenike blazer
arizona cardinals jerseys
san antonio spurs jerseys
yeezy boost 350 black
chicago bulls
michael kors handbags wholesale
instyler max
cheap michael kors handbags
cheap michael kors handbags
longchamps
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet online
coach factory outlet online
coach outlet online
coach factory outlet online
coach outlet store online
nike air max 95
tigers jerseys
adidas
gucci
20170515yuanyuan
philadelphia eagles jerseys
ReplyDeletelongchamp handbags
coach outlet online
omega watches
ralph lauren outlet
boston celtics
polo ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet
ugg outlet
replica rolex
coach outlet online
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses
detroit lions jerseys
true religion jeans
christian louboutin shoes
nike air huarache
ralph lauren outlet
nike factory outlet
canada goose jackets
green bay packers jerseys
uggs outlet
ReplyDeleteadidas superstar shoes
ray ban outlet
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet clearance
asics outlet
adidas yeezy shoes
louis vuitton outlet store
ugg outlet
cheap jerseys wholesale
yaoxuemei20180518
golden goose
ReplyDeleteoff white clothing
lebron 14
golden goose
cheap jordans
yeezy boost 350
adidas nmd
new england patriots jersey
retro jordans
ray ban sunglasses outlet
mbt shoes online
ReplyDeletegolden goose sneakers
off white x jordan 1
nike polo shirts
adidas nmd
jimmy choo shoes
red bottom shoes
kd 10
michael kors handbags
adidas crazy explosive
20181208xixi888