WWYD? I had a bridesmaid "quit"

[lchadwick]

No worries! Let one bridesmaid be the "lucky" one escorted out by 2 men. One of the ushers at my 1st wedding blew us off entirely. We actually didn't know he wasn't showing until he just didn't show. He made an excuse when my ex- called him after the rehearsal, and said he'd be there the next day, but nothing. We actually made on eof our ushers very happy, since he had 2 bridesmaids on his arms! With the bridal party dance, one of the bridesmaids danced with her boyfriend, so it all worked out.

You shouldn't have to deal with anyone that makes you feel bad while planning for your wedding. No one needs someone else's drama for their wedding.

Many, many, happy years!

 

[mepperson]

The night before my wedding (during the rehearsal and dinner) one of my bridesmaid's mother died. I was even staying at her apt. that night so she could help me get ready the next morning. We get back to her apt. after the meal and hear the message from her dad, etc. I ended up taking care of her that night and getting her off in the morning to be with her dad.

Anyway, of course I could not replace her. We figured we had 4 choices:

1. Have 2 groomsmen escort the maid of honor
2. Have all the groomsmen walk first, alone, then each of the bridesmaids
3. Have 1 of the groomsmen become an extra usher (none of them would have been offended and would have totally understood the situation)
4. Have the bestman come in from the side door with DH, as if that was his support and stand up front the whole time while the other groomsmen walked in with the remaining bridesmaids.

We opted for #4, but any of these would have been FINE!!!

 

[crzyred]

When I was asked to stand in my friends wedding we had about 2 1/2 months to plan it. We went shopping right away for dresses and explained to the people that we NEED these dresses right away. They said it was absolutely no problem. About 6 weeks later we had our dresses.

If you have time call the dress company( or place you ordered them from) and see if they would have time for a new dress. If not, then don't worry about it.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

2 months before my wedding, I lost a bridesmaid and 2 ushers (they all got ex-communicated from the church around the same time and weren't allowed to be in the wedding). I just found another usher last minute and cut my wedding party a little short.

 

[LadyyRedd]

How many bridesmaids do you have? Could 2 groomsmen walk the last girl down? I have seen that done. You are better off without her. Congratulations!

This would be my suggestion. All the weddings I have been in have NOT been "equal" on both sides and it was never an issue at all.

Kimya

 

[piglet too]

Paint ~ Don't sweat it. Just be happy that she is gone and have one of the ladies have two men walk her out.

 

[englishteacha]

In our wedding, DH chose a best man (my BIL), and I had a matron of honor and a bridesmaid (My 2 best friends). I didn't worry about having an odd number at all. The men waited at the front of the church and the ladies walked down the aisle. As it turned out, we had 2 ring bearers and one flower girl, so the littlest ring bearer "walked" the bridesmaid out of the church. We hadn't planned it that way, but someone suggested it at the rehearsal. It was really cute, especially since she was 6 feet tall with her heels on! (and he thought she was the coolest thing since Legos!) So odd numbers, not a big deal!

 

[tinatark]

Same thing happened to me - one of my friends was flaky the entire time before my wedding - dress fittings, etc... another friend knew it and told me in advance she'd step in if she needed to - luckily my mother made their dresses and never fitted the dress to my flaky friend - the other friend just stepped in when she needed to.

 

[mom2aredhead]

If she was still in the wedding, you'd be looking at her all day wanting to bash her head in with your boquet. Uneven in fine. My bridal party was uneven on purpose - more guys than girls because we both wanted only the people we were closest with and that's just how the math worked out. They walked out of church 1 girl with 2 guys. For the first dance, they all danced with their spouses/signif others instead of their "wedding partners". 2 of the spouses were in the wedding, but the rest were not. Uneven did not matter one bit that night, or now 9 years later.

 

[nataliela]

I had my maid of honor drop 6 months before the wedding. I replaced her, but didn't tell my new bridesmaid that she was a runner-up

 

[CathrynRose]

I have this "friend" who is prone to drama, but I have known her for 15 years. It has kind of been on again, off again. I asked her to be in my wedding, thinking there was a chance she'd say no. She accepted and has been taking charge, wanting to do things her way (ex- horrified that we are using paper plates at the reception). Well, she called me and told me her heart wasn't in our friendship anymore and she wanted to bow out. I could go on and on about all that, but what do I do now about bridesmaids? I am one short, 3 monthes from the wedding? Should I ask someone else, explaining what happened? Would that offend you, to be a backup? Should I let one groomsman walk by himself?
Needless to say, this friendship is over.

Ill do it - I see youre in Illinois. Ive never gotten to be a Bridesmaid! Id love to!!!

I see nothing wrong with either 'asking the back up' - or having a grooms man walk alone.

Good luck to you. What a crappy friend.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!! Forgetaboutit!

Here's my story: At my wedding, DH wanted his drummer as a groomsman. Said drummer's back went out and profusely apologized...no need, we understand. Cut to wedding weekend...one of my dearest friends makes the trip from England, he get on so well with DH that DH asks him two days before to join the wedding party.

So that's why one of our groomsmen has on a yellow shirt (everyone else is in black suits and white shirts and all he packed was a suit and yellow shirt plus t-shirts) in our wedding photos and I'd not change a thing! It was perfect having my dear friend not only get on with DH, but I got to have him IN my wedding!

Just think, in 8 years when you look at your pictures, you'll say, oh, thank GOD she bowed out and isn't in my gorgeous photos!

 

[ilisao]

I agree with the others that it's ok to have an uneven bridal party. We did and if I recall, we had one bridesmaid walk down the aisle with 2 groomsmen.

Frankly, I find the concept of a backup at weddings, whether it's a guest (DH and I were once invited to a wedding because we were on the B-list and someone wasn't coming) or part of the wedding party, distasteful.

 

[paintnolish]

ilisao- I agree. Being a backup is tacky, but I don't think it is too bad if you are honest. I wouldn't try to pass it off as anything else and I don't think it would offend this friend.
cathryn- Sure! However, I read about your night of drinking. This is a no alcohol reception since it is a city owned property. I do, however, live in a college town. Plenty of bars to chose from for after the reception! Woohoo!
handbaglady- Cute story!

I have had several serious offers from friends to step in, too! Not saying you weren't serious, cathrynrose!

 

[RitaZ.]

I wouldn't ask someone else to replace her. I have seen 2 groomsmen escort one bridesmaid at a couple of weddings. Can you do that?

I'd do this.

Keep it simple and less stressful for yourself. Enjoy your special day!