This reader wonders if she should have received an invitation to pre-wedding events … Dear Cheryl, My husband and I were invited to a wedding. A month before the event he was invited to the bachelor party. It came to my attention that I was not invited to either the bachelorette party or the bridal […]

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? […]

Choosing your bridal party can feel like solidifying your inner circle: it’s a big decision that carries symbolic weight, as well as real-life responsibilities. Your bridesmaids are your best friends, but they’ll also be your advisors, party planners, personal assistants, and more in the months leading up to the wedding. So how’s a bride to […]

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 […]

From the bridal shower to the big day, follow these tips to be the best bridesmaid a bride could ask for! Being chosen as a bridesmaid is no casual commitment — when a close friend or family member asks you to stand up at the altar next to them on the biggest day in their […]

It’s an honor to be asked to be a part of someone’s wedding! It’s a sign from the bride that you’re one of the most important people in her life, and because of that, she wants nothing more than to make you a part of her big day. And as much fun as her wedding […]

Does planning your dream wedding feel more like a nightmare? Our real brides share how they handled their wedding-related disappointments. If you’ve been engaged for more than five minutes, you’ve probably faced some wedding-related stress. No other day comes with more expectations than your wedding day, and many brides find that their dream wedding and […]

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 […]

There are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding. Today, our AskCheryl reader is an organized bride who isn’t sure how much to spend on gifts for her attendants. Hi Cheryl! I have an etiquette question regarding the cost of wedding party gifts (I also read your article on the topic). We were planning on […]

Amongst women in their twenties, the bridesmaid experience is a favorite conversation topic. Almost every young woman has a hilarious/cringe-worthy/unbelievable story to tell. Like war veterans swapping battle stories, veteran bridesmaids love to “one-up” one another with tales of bratty brides, budget-busting bachelorette weekends, and not-so-beautiful bridesmaid dresses. So what’s a bridesmaid to do? I don’t […]

As a real-life version of the classic bridesmaid tale, 27 Dresses, there is one thing about being in a wedding that I know for sure: it always costs more than you think it will. In your first wedding, and don’t know what you’re expected to pay? Use our guide below to make sure you’re (financially) […]

Being part of someone’s wedding is definitely an honor. But it’s also a big responsibility. Don’t know what to do when you’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid or groomsmen? Follow our guide below and find out how to be the best one yet. As a general rule… Be a good friend: This might be […]

If you’re a 30-something year-old like me, you’re probably very familiar with the wedding circuit. There’s at least one bridal shower, a bachelorette weekend, sometimes a lingerie shower, and of course, the wedding weekend itself. But if you think you’re done celebrating the couple after the wedding, think again. As the old adage goes: First […]

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: […]

The title of “bride” isn’t reserved for just one day—you’ll be the star of the show at many events leading up to your walk down the aisle. All eyes will be on you at your engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and more, so you’ll need to say “yes” to a number of […]

If you have a friend or family member getting married soon, you may have noticed that the festivities begin long before the wedding. The months before the event are filled with gatherings like engagement parties, showers, and other pre-wedding events. If your mailbox (or inbox) is suddenly filled with invitations, read on. I’ll let you […]