On Being A Bridesmaid

I was around 11 years old the first time I was a member of a wedding party. My cousin Julie Grisham asked my cousin Casey and I to serve as candle lighters in her spring wedding. In all my experiences since, that remains the hardest wedding job I've had. There were about a zillion candles to be lit and a very ambitious air-conditioning system to slow the process.

We wore the dresses below. I thought they were adorable at the time. Casey and I wore them again for Easter Sunday that year. We took pictures in front of the azalea bushes at Nana's, just like we had done every year prior.

In retrospect, the dresses are not so adorable. I look like bedding. Or with that sash, perhaps drapes. You have to click on the picture to fully read the expression on my face. This also happened to be the Sunday that my grandmother sponge-rolled my hair. My dad was horrified at the sight. He sprayed water on my hair and brushed it to undo the damage, however I ended up looking like this. And clearly by the look on my face, I was pissed off about the whole thing, too.

I haven't been asked to light any more candles since Julie's wedding, however I've been a bridesmaid several times. I can't remember all of the brides, which makes me feel terrible, but off the top of my head there was Tricia Coats, Kristal Good, Danielle Bennett, my cousin Casey, my sister-in-law Ashley. Some dresses were good, others were not.

For instance, the black elbow gloves and black dress with a cathedral train in the middle of summer was not so awesome. But these were actually pretty cute:



But, when you're asked to be a bridesmaid, you really never know. The bride could pick anything, and because you're such an awesome friend, you'll wear it. Even if you can't breathe; even if it makes your butt look big; even if you fear a nip slip, you'll wear it.

I've been lucky, other than the one maiden of death bridesmaids dress. And my lucky streak continues. LJ picked out this fantastic dress (in this color) for her November wedding.


I have no fear. It's breathable, booty-friendly and because of the safe neckline, I won't be cleaving-out and my girls will stay put. Dare I say it? Could this be the bridesmaids dress that you really can wear again?