Did you know? In ancient Rome, bridesmaids were there to protect the bride against evil spirits. Fast-forward to today, and they pretty much do the same thing (y’know, those modern-day evil spirits like crazy in-laws and unreliable suppliers). Here, meet the lovely ladies I’ve chosen to ward off negative forces on my big day.
Name: Kate Browning
Age:22
Profession: trainee defence and security consultant
From: London
I first met Sarah: when I was a pink, screaming new family addition. She was a big sister plotting her revenge
We bond over: ranting about the world and drinking wine
On a scale of one to 10, I rate Sarah’s bridezilla-ness on the big day to be:10 – I’m terrified
When Sarah said I could choose my own dress, I thought:‘Thank goodness!’ – and then she sent out her painstaking requirements we had to follow when we chose our dresses! (Like giving us a colour swatch and asking we steer clear of full-length frocks)
Would you tell Sarah if you hated the colour she’s making you wear? If it was truly awful, there would definitely be mutiny in the ranks from me!
Being a good bridesmaid is all about: putting aside being there to have a good time to ensure that Sarah can relax, not worry and enjoy her special day
What I’m most looking forward to about Sarah’s big day: having all the family in one place and enjoying lots of laughs
Name: Meike Abrahams
Age:27
Profession: copy editor/writer
From: Joburg
I first met Sarah: working together as copy editors at GLAMOUR. I got to show Sarah the ropes, share a desk with her and really get to know her – hands down one of the best bits of my job
We bond over: terrible grammar. Good puns. Fashion and gossip. Planning our weddings around the same time, and all the fun and stress that came along with that!
On a scale of one to 10, I rate Sarah’s bridezilla-ness on the big day to be: I’m really not one to talk here. On my big day I freaked out about my decor company’s choice of dirty-pink satin tablecloths… and then had a fit about their terribly creased replacements. As my bridesmaid, Sarah calmly stepped in and made sure it was sorted out (not to mention dealing with a handful of other small calamities for me). After all her help, I feel she’s entitled to an 11 on the Bridezilla-scale. Bring it
When Sarah said I could choose my own dress, I thought:‘Awesome!’ and also, ‘That’s brave’. There’s a lot that could go wrong with coordinating so many different styles and budgets, but I feel really honoured that she has so much faith in our fashion sense
Would you tell Sarah if you hated the colour she’s making you wear? Nope. Mainly because I love it and because it’s a perfectly-Sarah colour. But even if I hated it with every fibre of my being, I’d keep my mouth shut. This is her day and her dream; my choice would definitely take a back seat to seeing her happy
Being a good bridesmaid is all about: being supportive. Pitching in wherever I can and wherever I’m needed – especially on the day and without having to be asked. And, most importantly, ensuring the bride feels loved and looked after… it is all about her after all
What I’m most looking forward to about Sarah’s big day: celebrating her and Franz’s love for one another! They are such a brilliant couple and deserve a life packed with happiness. I can’t wait to make sure they start it on a fun, joyful, champagne-filled note
Name: Rachel Hargrave
Age:24
Profession: accountant
From: London
I first met Sarah: on our first day at the University of Oxford, in 2008
We bond over: being blonde girls from Surrey (a suburb just outside of London), a love of wine and dancing. And having made it through three years of Oxford together (mostly with the help of wine and dancing!)
On a scale of one to 10, I rate Sarah’s bridezilla-ness on the big day to be: I’d say a 5 – I think (hope) Sarah expended most of her craziness when her wedding venue decided to redecorate without telling her earlier this year!
When Sarah said I could choose my own dress, I thought:‘Help?!’
Would you tell Sarah if you hated the colour she’s making you wear? No – it’s her wedding, so it should be her choice of colours! Unless she’d chosen something really, really bad…
Being a good bridesmaid is all about: being there for whatever Sarah needs on the big day. And limiting the bridezilla-ness for everyone else
What I’m most looking forward to about Sarah’s big day: seeing Sarah! And her dress (which she is still refusing to show me!)
Name: Kristina Miller
Age:29
Profession: SHEQ health and safety consultant
From: Cape Town
I first met Sarah: at a book club two years ago, in 2012
We bond over: our bright minds and love of intriguing debate
On a scale of one to 10, I rate Sarah’s bridezilla-ness on the big day to be: Sarah is a 4 or 5, but she’s not the one to worry about – her fiancé Franz averages about a 10, but can get right up to a 14!
When Sarah said I could choose my own dress, I thought:‘Hell yeah!’ My mom is a designer and dressmaker, so this was going to go well for me… until we had to search for over 20 minutes for a single piece of fabric in the right colour. (We found it in the end – phew!)
Would you tell Sarah if you hated the colour she’s making you wear? I like the colour, but I did tell her I would probably look awful in it. The colour scheme is awesome, but I’m very pale, so the light turquoise makes me look like a cross between a vampire and a mermaid!
Being a good bridesmaid is all about: being a constant sounding board and ‘rocking up’ – not just when you say you will, but also in your presence of mind and the attentiveness you give to the bride
What I’m most looking forward to about Sarah’s big day: seeing her dress actually on her and not hanging in my guest bedroom cupboard anymore!
How did you choose your bridesmaids? Tweet us at @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share.
