Always The Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

BY SOCIALBUTTERFLY

How exciting, one of your best girlfriends has just called to share the exciting news that she is newly engaged and wants to enlist you as one of her lovely bridesmaids! You’re ecstatic for her, but can help thinking, "When is it going to be my turn?” 

Many women know this feeling all too well. She shares
in the joy of yet another friend, relative, or co-workers pending nuptials, with no hope insight for herself.  Then comes the agony, I mean the ecstasy, of following her all around town as she plans for her big day. You will be constantly bombarded with e-mails and texts messages, about food tastings, and dress fittings so on and so forth.

 It doesn’t have to be all bad. Remember, when life hands you lemons -  make lemonade! Here are 5 tips to help you get through this process a little smoother and with some joy.

1. Look At It As Preparation For Your Big Day - No matter how it feels right now, your day will come. Use this time to make mental notes or create a journal of the things you experience in preparing for the current bride-to-be wedding, to guide you when creating your own. You can use this time to discover various, venues, food, and themes you may or may not like. Having this information at the start of your own wedding planning could save you time and money.
2. Free Lunch Dates - Sometimes since your friend will feel guilty about consuming your weekends and free time, she will tempt you with a free lunch or perhaps a drink or two. This will satisfy most women I know, turning a "maybe" into "what time should I meet you" in five seconds flat.
3. It's All About Attitude - What goes around comes around, as the old saying goes. Nobody wants to be around a sour puss, so perk up! Be genuinely excited for the bride to-be., Get involved. Encourage her, laugh with her, be honest with her. One day it will be your turn and if you have Negative Nancy in your bridal party, your girl’s day out wedding planning can quickly become doomsday! Just think how you would feel if it was your wedding. Not a great feeling huh? So smile, and be merry remember attitudes are contagious so let yours is delightful and gracious.
4. Create Memories - When it's all said and done, do you want to look back and have regretted wasting an opportunity to create memories? We are a sum total of our experiences, so let's make some good ones while we can. When you look back on this wedding planning experience, you will realize that you have never laughed so hard or cried so many tears of happiness and joy. Like seeing the bride cry as she realizes she has found the perfect dress, or calming her down just before the ceremony as only you could. These experiences will bond the two of you for life, deepening the friendship you share. After all, it's why she chose you for this in the first place. 
5.   You May Meet Mr. Right - A wedding brings family, friends, and co-workers together. It is a chance for everyone to mingle and for those who have not previously met, to get together... After all, you will be looking spectacular in your new dress, great hair and flawless make-up. When you look good, you feel good. So use that positive energy! Remember, you determine your own happiness.

This could be the best of times or the worst of times depending on your attitude. If you still can't find it in yourself to be joyful and participate, then its better you decline.