9 Things I Wish I Knew The First Time I Was A Bridesmaid

This particular scenario is played out over and over again in TV shows and our favorite movies. You never actually thought the bridesmaid dress your bestie picked out would be horrid. It just can't be true — but yet, it is.

Even though my friend ended up allowing each of us to pick out our own bridesmaid dress, that didn't mean the task was any easier. The color was a very specific blush pink that, at the time, was unbelievably difficult to find. I ended up having to buy the first dress I found in a blush pink, and let me tell you — it was not cute.

When all is said and done, it's extremely important to remember that this is not about you. This is your friend's special day, and you should be supportive of every decision she makes — and that certainly includes the bridesmaid dresses.

You might expect to have some major BFF bonding moments on the big day, but don't forget that there are a million things running through the bride's head. The biggest thing on her mind is getting married, and focusing on her fiancé.

Keep in mind that you are very special to your bestie; that's exactly why she picked you to be a bridesmaid. You may not get as much one-on-one time together as you would have hoped, but your girl is so thankful you are there. It's your job to be helpful in every way you can to make her special day stress-free.

Your best friend is usually the person you're jamming out on the dance floor with at a party. At this party, however, your friend will obviously be super busy spending time with her boo, in addition to thanking everyone for being there.

The other bridesmaids are your partners in crime to chill with, so make sure to bond with them before the big day. And if they're your squad of best friends, even better. You might also be able to bring a wedding date, which definitely comes in handy if you don't know a lot of people who are attending.

If you didn't already notice, the wedding day will fly by. You probably won't get a lot of time with your bestie, so whenever you do have a sweet moment, seize it. You want a few solid pictures of you two together to remember the big day.

Sure, there will probably be a professional photographer there to take pictures, but you never know when or if you'll ever see that pic. Snap a selfie to ensure you have something perfect for the 'Gram.

If you're a crier like me, you'll need to have some tissues on hand for the ceremony. Since you're standing up at the alter next to your BFF, you won't have your purse by your side to dig around for a pack.

Wrap a few tissues around your bridesmaid bouquet instead. They'll be kept hidden in your hands as you walk down the aisle, and when the tears start flowing, you'll have emergency tissues right at your fingertips (literally).

There are a lot of little things that can get forgotten on the wedding day. Important things like deodorant, hair pins, mouthwash, lipstick, hair spray, and even a few snacks are great to keep in an emergency kit. Jot down a checklist beforehand to make sure you don't forget anything.

My friend forgot her programs in the car, because there was so much going on. Writing down the small (but essential) stuff ahead of time will help ensure you don't forget anything.

Try not to take it personally when your friend flips out on you. She might be incredibly stressed, and you have to keep reminding yourself of that. Even your friend who is totally calm and chill will have her moments of being a bridezilla — it happens to the best of us. Don't retaliate. Take it with a grain of salt, and see if you can help calm her down.

It's usually the MOH's job to plan the bachelorette party and bridal shower, but that doesn't stop you from playing your role. You're there to offer crucial advice and opinions, in addition to helping your friend through every step of the way with whatever she might need. You are never off the hook. Keep asking the bride what she needs you to do to take some stress off of her plate.

Being a bridesmaid may very well make your wallet want to cringe. You'll need to dish out money for the dress, which can be a bit pricey. You also have to remember the wedding gift. I know you think your presence is a gift — and it is — but you still need to shell out for something special on your friend's wedding registry.

Don't forget about putting aside cash for the bachelorette party, and helping with the costs of the wedding shower. It all adds up. Just remember that it's all worth it for your friend, and you and your fellow bridesmaids can talk it out to try and make things work for everyone's budget.