This past week I was female deputized. In other words, I was asked to be a bridesmaid.
While this may be a normal event in most twenty-something’s lives, it is not in mine. In fact, family and friends have actively counseled one another against my involvement. Perhaps it is because I hate weddings. Perhaps it is because if forced to attend one, I tend to be parked at the bar before and after the wedding. (Although it’s the “during” part that seems to cause the most issues.) Or perhaps it’s because the last time I played bridesmaid, I was running a pool on the side as to how long the happy couple would last. The bride never forgave me when I won two years later.
Suffice to say, someone put their better judgment aside when they asked me to be in their wedding. Seeing as said someone was my little sister, I was compelled by family pride, blood loyalties, and mother dearest to say “yes.” Oh, and the bride to be is my editor.
Number one rule in writing. Do not upset the editor.
At least not when she is presently in the process of revising the second book’s proposal.
So I said “yes, I’d love to” and used up my quota on enthusiastic “congratulations” and “wows” for the next eight years.
And now, here I am, preparing to be a bridesmaid. Whatever the means. As I have no prior history on how to be a good one, suggestions and comments are appreciated. Otherwise, I’m fielding offers for a side pool.
And if you bet anything less than “life long bliss,” I will hunt you down mercilessly.
4 responses so far ↓
1 erin*carly // May 5, 2008 at 4:20 pm
i’ve never been a bridesmaid, most likely for the same reasons. when it comes to weddings, i’d rather be somewhere else. (and especially not the photographer, although i have for close friends.) i think my friends pick up on my vibes and pick someone who will revel in the beauty of it all.
wait. what’s that? i’m engaged? oh my. maybe i should tell my fiancé about my dislike for these big-to-do affairs . . . or maybe not. perhaps i can convince him on my “Vegas Elvis” idea instead.
2 Linda // May 8, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Cool - bridesmaid for your editor. Oh to have an editor to be a bridesmaid for!
So if she picks out a pukey green dress, just smile, say it’s lovely. For years, I was always a bridesmaid, never a bride, and had quite a collection of long, weird-colored dresses hanging in my closet. Suffice it to say, when I got married I told mine to pick anything they wanted in a shade of coral. Congrats. I think ;^)
Peace, Linda
3 Sarah E. Moffett // May 9, 2008 at 11:34 am
Erin and Linda, bless you both for humoring my cyber rant about familial fate. Off to find the color coordinated hip flask…
4 Kelley // May 16, 2008 at 3:01 pm
oh dear. see, I paid my siblings off. if they ever get married–and so far, so good because thankfully my family members are so dysfunction it hasn’t been an issue
— they know exactly what to do. Elope.
attending weddings. aack. I’d rather set my hair on fire. I give you many props, and if I stumble across any links for bridesmaidish hip flasks, I will forward them.
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