There’s an assumption that two friends being engaged at the same time is a recipe for a disaster – a real life “Bride Wars” waiting to happen.
But the truth? Being a bride and a bridesmaid is exciting and also incredibly refreshing.
My long time friend, Jamey, got engaged late last year and is set to be married this September. There’s something so special about seeing your friend get engaged. What’s even more special is being asked to play a part in their big day. Jamey and Jon’s big day is truly going to be a wedding to remember and she is going to be the most stunning bride.
The Title / Role
For me, being both a bridesmaid and a bride has given me a greater understanding of what it truly means to be a bridesmaid.
Being a bridesmaid is knowing when to listen, when to act, and when to speak up. It’s a fine balance of supporting a bride as she plans the intricacies of her big day while also supporting her in her day to day by simply being a friend.
Bridesmaids aren’t just the people stood by your side during the ceremony or the girls who help plan your bridal celebrations, they’re the sounding boards and support when wedding planning becomes more stressful than fun.
Sharing the Excitement
From ‘OH MY GOD IM ENGAAAAAGED’ to saying yes to the dress, there are so many special moments that happen as a bride. Being able to share these and the whole wedding journey at the same time as one of my closest friends? Priceless.
As a bride it’s celebrating the milestones and moments and as a bridesmaid it’s the fun and excitement of watching her do all of those too!
Sharing the Emotions
Having someone truly understand the emotional roller coaster of wedding planning is refreshing.
I don’t need to remind current or past brides of the overwhelming number of decisions that need to be made – from dresses to the cake, the venue, and everything in between. Having someone share those hair-pulling, cry-yourself-silly moments in real time is reassuring.
Especially when you inevitably add the stresses of guest-list politics. (unsupportive family and friends is for another blog entirely).
Being a bride and a bridesmaid helps with knowing what to say and when to say it but most importantly knowing when nothing needs to be said at all.
Although not all of our planning experiences have been the same and our days will be different, it’s nice knowing that we both understand the emotional and physical expense of planning a wedding. Being able to share the highs, lows, and everything in between as both a bride and a bridesmaid for each other has been so much fun.
Stay tuned as I count down the days to being a bridesmaid in Jamey & Jon’s wedding!
days
hours minutes seconds
until
Jamey’s Big Day
The Draffans 
As I’m a bride to be and maid of honour for my best friend I have loved reading this blog! It’s so exciting to share the experience together isn’t it! Although my best friends hen squad have been quite “terrible” shall we say, it’s made me realise a lot for when picking my own bride squad! I have been helping my best friend a lot with her wedding as her wedding is first and although our weddings are totally different I am learning a lot from helping her wedding planning first! She doesn’t use social media a lot so she has found my bride to be page very helpful as I ask a lot of questions of it for her too haha. Keep up the blogs lovely I am loving them xxx
LikeLike
Ah thank you so much, Maylea! I’m so glad you get to experience this as well – it really is fun! I think like you said, the best part is having that person to not only be excited with but figure where to even start!
LikeLike