*Here's the article I was talking about- the one that landed me the gig. For the record, I do enjoy being a bridesmaid though. This may or may not be written from my perspective (disclaimer).
Confessions of a Troubled Bridesmaid June 11, 2007
published on website of San Antonio Weddings magazine
We’ve all heard the saying ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’. I’m beginning to fit it quite well, with one slight alteration… ‘always the [single] bridesmaid’ seems more appropriate. I love weddings, really, I do. But, being a single bridesmaid (repeatedly) is rough. And while all bridesmaids are thrilled for the bride, and enjoy the celebration, I think it’s time to acknowledge the awkward experiences and trouble that the perpetually single bridesmaid knows all too well
The single bridesmaid is easy to spot, as she has no fiancé, husband, or even committed boyfriend to introduce to the three boyfriends, two husbands and one fiancé of the other bridesmaids in the wedding. At the reception, sitting to her left will be her cousin conversing with her husband, comparing the flower arrangements to the ones they had for their wedding. And, sitting to her right, is the boyfriend of another fellow bridesmaid. Their excessive flirting is enough to make anyone uncomfortable.
The single bridesmaid in this situation must maintain her self-respect and sanity, and search for someone with whom she can share some light conversation. Since she doesn’t have a partner to dance with, her only opportunity to dance is likely to be in the group dancing in which single women (mostly) come together and dance in a sort of circle. And when the slow songs come on, the single bridesmaid will return to the (empty) wedding party table, and watch the other couples enjoying one another’s company. She’ll probably even make it a Kodak moment and snap a few pictures of the happy couples.
The single bridesmaid will then wander to various tables of family members, and politely answer questions about how old she is now and whether she is still dating what’s-his-face (clearly she isn’t). She will answer these questions repeatedly, and will listen as her grandmother points out every single young man that happens to be at the wedding. The single bridesmaid will try to ignore the grim reality that her grandmother is now trying to set her up with guys
Luckily, She will momentarily be saved from this realization, because it’s time for the tossing of the bride’s bouquet. The bride will look back, make eye-contact with the single bridesmaid, and try to toss the bouquet in her direction. Unfortunately, (and inevitably), the single bridesmaid will just barely miss the bouquet.
Yet, all of these minor difficulties are nothing compared to the most significant difference that the single bridesmaid will experience. While she is extremely excited for the bride, she will also be struck by sadness, as someone dear to her is entering upon a whole new chapter of life that she cannot possibly understand. How can she understand the chapter…she doesn’t even own the book! She’ll feel a greater separation than the other bridesmaids, and fear that time will pull them apart, as they have less and less in common.
When all is said and done, the single bridesmaid will celebrate as everyone does, and will admire the bride even more than before she was ‘the bride’, and recognize her new courage, beauty, radiance, and passion. She will see how wonderful it is to be overwhelmed by love, and will be renewed by the assurance that such love still exists in this world. Perhaps one day, she’ll fall in love. And until then, she’ll continue being the single bridesmaid, knowing that next time (or sometime), it just might be her time to catch the bouquet
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