It’s the invitation of the century. Your friend has asked you to be her bridesmaid. She is excited but, you are worried. It’s not that you don’t want to be a part of this monumental event; it’s just that there’s so much going on in your personal life that adding “bridesmaid” to the scheme could be overwhelming. So how do you determine what is best?
Consider the friendship
Is this person a friend on the verge of being an acquaintance, or is she indeed your best pal? Being a bridesmaid is a big responsibility that should only be taken on by those who are almost like family. If you don’t really feel that close to the person asking you to be their right-hand woman, then consider declining the offer.
Can you afford it?
We like to believe that money is no object but that’s just not reality. The responsibility of bridesmaid comes with a price tag that can be upwards of $1,000. Count up all the costs - i.e., the dress, travel, and living expenses - before agreeing to take on the role.
Just politely say “No”
There is no need to go into details such as, “I can’t afford it” or, “My family’s going through a rough patch right now.” Simply thank her for the consideration and decline. Going into details feeds into the idea of there being a problem that can be fixed. You want to make it clear that there is no possibility of you accepting the role of bridesmaid so that the bride can move on to the next suitable candidate.