Your bridesmaids: ladies in waiting with a healthy dose of 21st Century attitude. They’ve been there for you through the ups and downs of life and will be by your side as you walk down the aisle. They are your compadres, your confidents, the people you couldn’t live without and some of the strongest women you know, but the question is, can they live with each other?
Yes, your bridesmaids will most likely be from different times and areas of your life. Some may be friends and some may not and some may have never ever met before; it is only natural that there will be a few ruffled feathers in the lead up to your big day as each of these lovely ladies vie for your attention. While the drama may be unavoidable, there are ways you can diffuse it. Walking you thorough some great ways to diffuse bridesmaid fallouts we will help you keep your bridesmaids from derailing the most important day of your life.
1. Get Talking
Your phone bill may suggest otherwise but it is a lack of communication that causes the most issues amongst bridesmaids and their bride. Keep communication channels open and let everyone know what is expected of them and how they can best help you with planning the day. As helpful as the digital age is for keeping people in touch, a text message does nothing to convey tone or urgency, make use of old fashioned face-to-face meetings. If a catch up in person is not possible, try Skype or another video chat option.
2. Get Together
You will most likely have two, or maybe even three “best friends”, and they WILL fight it out for your attention. Coming second or even third place to a stranger is tough and a sour feeling between these important ladies can turn a whole wedding bad. Try to keep everyone pleased by organising some fun events for you to attend together. Everything from your dress fitting to a bachelorette party can be an opportunity to bond over champagne! Give it your all and they will follow suit and give it their all!
3. Pleasing Everyone
Pleasing everyone is next to impossible, and when it comes to taste, it probably is. Your bridesmaids will have vastly different tastes to go along with their different personalities and this will be never more apparent than when you are choosing your bridesmaids dresses. Instead of focussing on one style, perhaps try different styles with similar fabric and colours, or alternatively, go wild and completely mismatch. The options are endless, and while you may not be able to put a smile on everyone’s face, you may come close. With each bridesmaid feeling and looking their best, you can breath a sigh of relief and focus on some other planning nightmare.
4. Stay Positive
Stay positive, ladies. No matter how hard you try there will always be a little friction between your bridesmaids and as much as you can you should let it wash over you. Tackle the situation with patience and understanding and you will reap the benefits. Resolving a situation may be as simple as pointing out how someone is acting or it may need a firmer hand. Whatever you do, act swiftly. Do not allow situations simmer and put a stop to all disagreements as early as possible. Remind them that coming together and making it work will help make YOUR day special.
- Danielle Farrell