Bridal Party

[sadirazzaさん]

You were probably forewarned that wedding planning was going to be a little
stressful, but you probably weren't prepared for one of your bridal party
members to flake out on your big day. What do you do when someone in your bridal
party pulls out? For one thing, don't panic.

There are endless reasons for why one of your besties may need an out: money
(weddings are expensive for everyone involved), they may be moving or changing
jobs (again, finances are tough), someone might have an unexpected pregnancy
(although, we love the rocking bridal bump look), or maybe your friendship just
isn’t as strong as it used to be.

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Whatever the reason, if you find yourself confronted with one of these sticky
situations, don’t let it make you feel, well, off. No matter what you’ve seen in
magazines or assumed from blogs, your day can be as traditional or offbeat as
you want it to be. So, don’t let this last minute change of plans phase you in
the slightest!

It’s also really important to remember how this decision might be making your
friend feel. As stressful as it can be for you to hear it, it’s probably twice
as hard for your pal to spill the bad news, so it’s really important to keep
calm and hold your composure. Here are four great tips and tricks to help you
deal when you feel like you just can't even deal.

1. Stay zen and breathe.

Flipping out on anyone isn't going to do anything to improve the situation,
and you'll most likely regret it later, especially if this happens closer to
your "I dos." Before responding make sure you're not hungry, tired, or stressed
about something else (like a looming work deadline, for example). Pause, force
yourself to take a couple of deep breaths, and give yourself a chance to process
your feelings.

2. Let go of perfection.

Looking at beautiful real weddings on blogs, magazines, and other social
media apps can be great for sourcing ideas, but they can also spark an
unrealistic desire for perfection. Remember your wedding is much more than how
it looks, and it's going to be wonderful no matter what.

3. Toss out rules or traditions.

The best part about being a modern bride or groom is that you don't have to
stick to antiquated standards. You don't have to have an even number of
attendants for the sake of having matching sides. So, if there is a last minute
change in line up, you don't have to stress about balance. If you've already
budgeted for the extra person (bouquets and boutonnieres, for example), you
could use the cancelation as a chance to honor someone you might not have
thought of, like your grandmother, best guy friend, or even your dog. Because,
why not?

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