LOVE the Shoes You're With

As I wrote yesterday, you do not need to LOVE the dress, but when the bride gives you the freedom to pick out your shoes...  LOVE the shoes. 


Do yourself a favor before wedding season begins, and splurge on a pair of shoes you will be excited to walk down the aisle in.  You will most likely never wear the dress again, but those shoes will become a staple in your wedding wardrobe.


If you are a bride please think twice before requiring your bridesmaids to wear the same shoes, It's really important our feet get their own identity.

These satin Christian Louboutins are the ultimate wedding staple, I have worn them in all four of the weddings I have been in (it just so happens everyone had me wear black)
Christian Louboutin

 

I really wish someone would require me to wear nude shoes.  Please?
Valentino

The sparkle will look great peaking out of a long black dress
Sergio Rossi

I am standing up in a wedding in April and the bride requested we wear silver.  When the Las Vegas Scoop had 25% off during Black Friday I knew I just needed to get these (for the wedding in April of course)!
Jimmy Choo

Saying OK to the Dress

Have you heard of girls saying their bride purposely picked an ugly dress just so she looked better than her bridesmaids?  Try not to jump to that conclusion with your bride, she just has slightly different taste than you do.


If you are a picky dresser here are a few tips you can use to sway the bride to choosing the dress you like:

1. Ask her if you can help pick out the dress? (She will probably say yes and welcome the help.)
2. Be very eager to try on any dress she may like. (Don't forget to throw in a few of your favorites!)
3. If you think the dress won't look good on everyone (mainly yourself) ask her to try it on; unless she already has her wedding body eight months in advance she may understand where you are coming from.
4. Ask the sales rep if she has a book of pictures of what other brides picked.  Some of them are so horrible your bride will find herself saying "I would never do that to my friends." 
5. If she doesn't want anyone to come, make sure to send her pictures of what you like. (I promise she does want you to be happy!)

Did you both wear the same dress to prom?  I am guessing not, so when she makes the final decision take a deep breath and remember this is her day and you just need to Say OK to the Dress!

  

If you really think the dress is that bad then take a look at a few of my favorites from Tacky Weddings:

Standing Up

In 2012 I am standing up in two weddings.  I never really understood what it meant to be standing up until I was in one of my best friend from college's wedding.  As the ceremony was taking place, and I was standing at her side, she looked back at me and smiled.  It was at that instant I knew how much we both truly appreciated our friendship.  Of course I have hundreds of memories from her special day, but I think that moment will stay with me forever. 

There is so much excitement and drama that goes into filling the supporting role, but I think its important to just remember at the end of the process you will be standing up while your friend gets married.  So as the year progresses, and the wedding events come and go, take everything with a grain of salt and remember the details of your friendship which are the reasons you will be standing up with her on her wedding day.

A few highlights of our friendship:

Beginning days back in college

Visiting her in her new hometown of New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Celebrating at her bachelorette party in Miami

What is a Professional Bridesmaid?

Confessions of a Professional Bridesmaid... okay, before you jump to conclusions that I am a bitter friend let me explain myself... 

I was such an active little girl, between school, camp, ice skating and dance I was always making new friends.  My family makes fun of me because whenever I mention a friends name they are never just a friend but always my BEST FRIEND. 

Well, twenty-five years later, here we are and many of those BEST FRIENDS are engaged or already married. I have already stood up in four weddings and have two slated for 2012. I keep blank copies of the Bella Bridesmaid dress order form in my desk and I make a mean ribbon bouquet. However, this isn't a blog about always being the bridesmaid, it is about the exciting time period in my life. 

I am living the work hard, play hard dream.  I am a young professional during the week and a jetsetter on the weekends. My only responsibilities are my rent and my french bulldog, Pizza, both of which I share with my boyfriend, D.  Having never been the bride, but always the bridesmaid I have learned the Dos and Don'ts of being the supportive BEST FRIEND.  I hope through sharing my experiences you can learn what it takes to be a Professional Bridesmaid. 

My Sister's Wedding (Maid of Honor)

 

Best Friend since Kindergarten

 

Best Friend from College

 

Best Family Friend (Second Sister)