Being asked to be a bridesmaid is seen as a great honor amongst friends and family- but are there occasions when you might be doing the bride a favor by saying no? In some cases, I think yes. One reality is that being a bridesmaid often comes with a lot of expenses, ranging from the dress and shoes to travel and hosting a shower and bachelorette party or hen night. If you know that being part of
the wedding party will put you in a tight place regarding your finances, it's best to discuss it rather than you should be honest with the bride. Most likely she's close to you and she will either understand completely, or she will either want to help work out your participation. What services no one is having a bridesmaid who is resentful of participating, since it drags the mood down for everyone. Another instance where it's sometimes better to say no is if you have what some people call "stagefright". If the idea of walking down the aisle past a gaggle of guests literally gives you hives, it might be best to back away and explain your phobia to the bride. You wouldn't want your anxiety to affect her mood on the wedding day. Generally speaking though, being a bridesmaid is both an honor and a rite of passage, so I don't think "no's" should be wielded lightly. What do you think? Have you ever said no to being a bridesmaid?
