It’s like a plot line to a cheesy romantic comedy. One girl. Four weddings. 365 days.
No there isn’t a 27 Dresses 2 coming out (that we know of), but this was the reality for one Sarasota woman.
Standing next to one of your best friends as they say “I Do” to the love of their life is a big honor. Many women look forward to being asked to be in a bridal party. It’s a rite of passage. You’re one of the chosen ones.
Rachel Livingston, 30, did not plan on ending up in four weddings in 365 days. It started off as one. But then another “will you be my bridesmaid?” letter arrived. And then another. And then another. And just like that she was in four weddings in the time span of a full calendar year.
“I just couldn’t believe it was all happening.”
Being in one wedding in a year is stressful enough, but four? How did she pull this off physically, emotionally, financially? I had to know.
“One day at a time. A lot of planning, Pinteresting and Pinot.”
Some of the women Livingston was being a bridesmaid for lived close by. This meant Livingston became the main go-to-girl when the brides needed someone to model bridesmaid’s dress, bring along for wedding dress shopping, have as a partner-in-crime at wedding expos and a variety of other bridal party errands.
Of course there are also the things you have to do without the bride. Shopping and planning for bridal showers and bachelorette parties means countless hours of research on the computer, group texts, emails, delegating errands and tasks, downloading the PayPal app, ordering custom gifts or tank tops from Etsy, going to Party City, Spencer’s and LTM.
Crazy days and nights out on the town were in store for Livingston and her fellow bridesmaids as they attended bachelorette parties all over the country.
Planning and staying organized were keys to Livingston’s success. She also had to be savvier about how she spent her money. Some of those things can be out of your control as a bridesmaid, however Livingston says to control the controllables.
Bridal showers, bachelorette parties and the weddings required Livingston to travel to Portland, ME, New York, NY, Savannah, GA, Orlando, FL, St. Petersburg, FL, Clearwater, FL, Sarasota, FL and Key West, FL.
Then the big day arrives. Or in Livingston’s case, big days. Livingston dealt with a variety of crazy things.
“Linen people being late, flowers not arriving, delayed flights, lost luggage, traipsing through the Atlanta airport with only the wedding dress in hand, a rained out ceremony that had to be moved at the last minute on the way to the ceremony, being a median between family feuds, last-minute alterations to your bridesmaid’s dress with double sided tape – it might all sound minor now but when you’re in the moment it feels bigger than life and you know you have no choice but to put your game face on.”
Livingston with all four blushing brides – Beth, Jamie, Melissa and Amber.
Despite the moments of mayhem and countless sleepless nights, Livingston found that it was all worth it.
“I can’t imagine not sharing in those moments no matter how hectic things got. It didn’t matter. What matters is the unbreakable bond between friends that got you there in the first place.”
Here are Livingston’s 6 tips on how to survive (while still paying your rent!)
You’re about to be a bridesmaid! Proceed with caution! Photo by Rachel O’Hara
- MAKE A PLAN – Start Early – Talk to the bride, maid of honor, and other bridesmaids to hash out the important stuff including dates of all the events leading up to the wedding and the destinations.
- TALK MONEY – No matter how awkward it is to relinquish such private information to complete strangers. Just Do It. Trust me when I say it’s better to be honest about what you can and can’t afford right from the beginning so that everyone is on the same page. Because let’s face it, life happens, and when it does, you’re the only one that can look out for you. Speak of this to the other bridesmaids and the maid of honor only. Never the bride unless it’s absolutely necessary. (We like to keep her in her happy place)
- BE SMART – If you’re in more than one wedding volunteer first. For example: When the roles are being passed out for any particular event (who is bringing what, buying what, contributing what) pick something and stick with it. In my case, I became a pro decorator. Give me 30 minutes and I can turn any regular hotel room into pink and black bachelorette bliss. When the party’s over take what’s salvageable and stow it away for round 2.
- KEEP YOUR EARS AND EYES OPEN – Deals, sales, specials – the next 365 days will consume you with everything you can imagine. Cut corners where you can. You’ll thank yourself later.
- GAME FACE – It’s the wedding day, but first, coffee.
- Now that you’re caffeinated, for the love of God make the bride eat something. As the day goes on things only get busier, and more stressful, and then suddenly you’re all walking down the aisle. That doesn’t leave much time for food, and no one wants to see the bride pass out.
- You may think you have plenty of time to relax, get ready and refill your mimosa. You’re wrong. The quicker the bridesmaids are ready the smoother the day will go. You don’t want to be taping your dress to your body because you can’t figure out how to wear it properly, at the same time the bride is trying to get into her dress.
- Be there with her in all of those moments. The day is about her and the man she’s about to marry.
- Designate a bridesmaid/ family member to take all phone calls the day of the wedding. Trust me.
- Get to know the wedding planner. Should a crisis arrive, you’ll know who to call.
- DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE – There are no words to describe the feeling that will overcome you as you’re about to set foot down the aisle. Take a deep breath, and know that everything will work out just the way it’s supposed to. Now is the time to enjoy every single moment of the night ahead of you.