One of the most frequently discussed topics on our @askarealbride Instagram page is bridesmaids. I hear variations of these questions all the time: How do I choose my bridesmaids? What if I don’t want the chaos of a huge bridal party? Will my friends be disappointed if they aren’t asked to be in the wedding? […]

We’ve all heard the joke, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” So when it’s finally your turn to be the one in white, you may struggle with two conflicting feelings: Brides juggling those conflicting emotions reach out to me week after week on our @askarealbride Instagram page with questions like this: The key to answering […]

Dear Brides, Choosing your bridesmaids is one of the first decisions you’ll make after becoming engaged. Most friends are honored to stand by your side as you say, “I do!” Yet year after year, my inbox is filled with stories and dilemmas from bridesmaids who are struggling to fulfill their responsibilities and remain friends with […]

Bridesmaids for a day and best friends for life, don’t forget to say thank you and hold on to your girls tight! If you’re anything like me, finding your tribe is almost as important as finding your guy! As a former bride and bridesmaid herself, I am here to share with you all the ways […]

Wedding planning comes with lots of decisions and questions, and sometimes, finding an answer requires some crowdsourcing. That’s how the Ask a Real Bride Instagram account came to be, and this month’s question is the perfect example of women coming together to help each other in the wedding planning process! A Real Bride asks: “Hi! […]

Being asked to be a bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding is exciting. But when the questions of travel, lodging, the bachelorette party, and the wedding day itself arise, the bridesmaid may wonder, “Am I supposed to pay for that?” Money conversations are always awkward, but before you say yes to the honor of being a […]

Making Sure Your Bridesmaids Are Still Your Friends After the Big Day Dear Bride, Congratulations! We know you’ve always dreamed of your wedding day, and part of that dream is having your best friends stand by your side as you marry the love of your life! I’m here to make sure that those best friends […]

Your best girls are going to be your best bridesmaids; let the celebrating commence! But what are they responsible for? What should you expect from them in regards to the party planning, hosting, and all related expenses? Hi Cheryl, I am getting married in May and have a total of eight bridesmaids including a Matron […]

My 7-year-old daughter recently looked lost in thought. When I asked her what she was thinking about, she said, with a great deal of concern, “Mom. Who do you think my bridesmaids will be?” Even the littlest girls understand that choosing your bridal party is like solidifying your inner circle: whether we admit it or […]

Throughout the wedding planning process, the mother of the bride takes on many roles: she often plays the part of organizer, budgeter, coordinator, counselor, and confidante. But is “shower hostess” a title that should be taken on by the MOB? With the help of our Ask a Real Bride Instagram audience, let’s explore the traditional […]

‘Tis the season for a little (or a lot) of bling! Every holiday season, new engagement rings and lots of wedding plans scroll past on my social media timelines. When I got engaged and asked my 2 best girlfriends if they would be my bridesmaids, I accompanied the card with a mini bottle of champagne! […]

In recent years, the bachelorette party has become a huge production. What once was a fun night out with the bridesmaids has become an extravagant (and expensive) weekend-long trip. The new bachelorette party format raises new questions, like who should be invited. Hi Cheryl, What is the etiquette on inviting friends to a bridal shower […]

Hosting a bridal dinner is a not-so-common way to ask your favorite girls to be your bridesmaids, but my step-daughter’s turned out so beautifully that we now highly recommend it! Shortly after Meleah got engaged, she decided who was going to be in her wedding party and she couldn’t wait to ask each one of […]

Bridesmaid dress? Ordered! Bridal shower? Check. Bachelorette weekend? Done! After months of anticipation, a few pre-wedding festivities, and around a thousand messages in the group chat, you might get the sense that your bridesmaid duties are winding down. But the hours leading up to the ceremony are some of the most crucial moments for bridesmaids: […]

Destination weddings seem to become more popular every year. With the ease of planning online and snagging great travel deals, why not have your wedding weekend double as a vacation for family and friends? Yet a wedding that involves travel may also lead you into uncharted etiquette territory–and we’re here to help! Read on for […]

After you say “YES” to your perfect partner, you get to choose the besties that will stand by your side as you say “I do”! Each of these ladies is, without a doubt, so important to you and adds her own unique element to your life. When you thank them for being a huge part […]