While it is hardly being done enough to be considered a new normal, modern brides are deciding against bridesmaids at a rate that is getting a bit of attention. Wondering why brides are doing away with the tradition? Let’s have a look!
We don’t all live in the same home or even city all of our lives. Having and keeping friends for a lifetime the way we’ve always seen people do on TV, or the way people from smaller towns seem to do at a rate more consistent than those in big cities isn’t exactly the status quo anymore. We don’t all feel close to the women in our family, be they sisters, cousins, or what have you, and these are just a couple of reasons a bride to be might not have a ready list of bridesmaid recruits.
We’re also waiting longer to get married than people did generations back; creating more time and distance between us and the people we’ve considered to be our close friends. Still, a lack of available bodies isn’t the only reason modern brides are deciding against bridesmaids.
Famous Brides Who Said Their Vows Solo-ish
Former Reality Star Whitney Port decided against having bridesmaids at her side when she said I do. In an interview with Cosmo, Port was quoted as saying I feel like all my friends and sisters know their place in my life, and I don’t need to designate labels on them or control their dresses or anything like that. It is easy to imagine tension or hurt feeling from friends and family of any bride who may have expected their place in your wedding to be set. Whitney’s idea to have two bachelorette parties, a calm one for family and a slightly wilder occasion for friends, is a great way to do something special for the women in your life and let them know that your decision is about you and what you want as opposed to wanting to leave anyone out.
OK, we have a confession to make: that’s the entire list. But that hasn’t stopped this bold and relatively new bridal move from being talked about.
- Offbeat Bride has discussed the absence of bridesmaids in practical terms, breaking down why you don’t really need them by dissecting the ideas that a traditional bridal party is necessary for photographs and that you’ll need an army of bridesmaids to help you with planning and on the day of the wedding.
- Bridal Musings editor Claire wrote about her reasons for not having bridesmaids including wanting guests to have fun at her wedding, not wanting anyone to feel obligated to be a bridesmaid, and even wanting to get ready with her fiancé.
- Cosmopolitan has sited an American Express survey that points to finances as a reason people are deciding against both bridesmaids and groomsmen…
- this idea was touched upon in Elle as well.
What do you think? Stripped down, the purpose of putting time and energy into having a wedding at all is that you’re making a commitment and want friends and loved ones around to around to witness and celebrate. Cutting stress by cutting traditions that aren’t a big deal to you, while taking the time to express to any loved ones who may feel offended or left out why you’ve made your decision, is an idea that many women are likely to be open to.
Featured image by Phil Richards
