How Many Weddings Can a Bride Handle Besides Her Own?

A well-prepared bride can handle anything. Being friends is about flexibility and support. Working together will get you all ready in advance and save money too. Hit the bridal shows together and barter with the vendors, nowhere does it say, "Thou shalt not share DJs." Many items repeat in nearly every wedding, so go Dutch on things like candelabras and card holders. Carpool to the dress shops, beauty salon and gym.

One trick to back-to-back weddings is that you'll likely have guests attending both and the last thing you want them to remember about your events is that they were the same. Keep the lines of communication open, if it sounds like there will be some overlap in ideas, you can put your heads together to come up with minor changes according to your theme that will differentiate between the two events. Simple variations can dramatically alter initially similar concepts.

How close is too close? Speaking as a bride who attended five weddings in the four months surrounding my own, and was a bridesmaid the day before...close is a matter of comfort. If you're waffling on attending or being an attendant, consider the commitments involved. A guest needs travel time and day-of off, appropriate attire, then there's the gift. A bridesmaid will also be needed at dress fittings and favor-making sessions. You'll help plan the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and you may be responsible for picking up flowers or any number of things as well catering to the bride's every need. You may be expected to contribute to the cost of your dress, shoes, hair, and the ensuing parties, so keep that in mind. If either of these scenarios sounds like overload, politely decline to attend or offer to help in another way. You are friends after all, honestly explaining the situation is better than messing up memories.

If you do make a decision to become a bridesmaid as well as a bride, your time will be split up between planning your wedding and helping to plan hers. Being a good bridesmaid means putting aside your current stresses to help overcome hers. There is no problem that can't be solved if you work together. No matter what it takes, make her day special, after all, you'll want the same treatment.

In the end, you're all brides, so put yourself in their shoes when you're not the center of attention and put in the extra effort to make everyone's day perfect. Just think of how you'll cherish sharing anniversaries the rest of your lives!