Bridesmaids Gone Wild: When Friends Attack

When bridesmaids attack, it's usually not a pretty sight. From the hilarious to the downright ugly, these women are supposed to be the bride's closest allies, but sometimes things can get a little out of hand. Take the example of the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, where the maid of honor's life is turned upside down after being asked to serve at her best friend's wedding. The film showcases the wild ride that is planning a wedding, with all its strange rituals, and how things can go awry when the bridesmaids don't get along. And it's not just in the movies; real-life stories abound of bridesmaids behaving badly, from mid-air brawls to police complaints. So, whether it's on the big screen or in real life, when bridesmaids attack, it's sure to be an eventful affair.

Bride-to-be punches friend on plane

Bride-to-be Kelly Lloyd, 30, punched her friend, Katrina Hanafin, 33, on a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Barcelona. Hanafin, a mother of three, was one of Lloyd's bridesmaids. Hanafin said she was sitting down when the attack happened and that she was punched from behind. She said:

> "I was sat in the middle of two girls in a row of three so I couldn't do anything. All I could do was curl up in a ball while I was rained blows over my face, arms, shoulders and legs and my hair pulled, as I tried to cover myself."

Lloyd's mother defended her daughter, claiming that Hanafin had been taking diazepam for her fear of flying and had also been drinking. She said:

> "Kelly is a lovely girl and a wonderful mum."

Hanafin has since made an official police complaint and pulled out of the wedding. She said:

> "It is absolutely appalling what has happened to me. I have been nothing but nice to Kelly and her two sisters and her friends and this is how she repays me. The wedding is in May but I certainly will not be going. No way."

Bridesmaids suffer food poisoning

Bridesmaids, a 2011 American comedy film, features a memorable scene where the bridal party, including the bridesmaids, suffers from food poisoning. The scene has become iconic and is known for its gut-busting laughs and its impact on female-centric comedies.

In the scene, the bridal party, led by Annie (Kristen Wiig), visits an upscale boutique to shop for bridesmaid dresses after a lunch at a questionable Brazilian steakhouse. The food poisoning starts to affect the group, leading to graphic gastrointestinal distress. The scene is notable for its unapologetic portrayal of women dealing with bodily functions, a contrast to the typical male-dominated gross-out comedies.

The scene was not originally in the movie but was added during post-production. Director Paul Feig and the cast were initially nervous about how audiences would react to the graphic nature of the scene. However, they decided to take a leap of faith and go for it. Wiig, in particular, embraced the challenge, using a can of Evian spray to mimic cold sweats and escalating the intensity of her character's discomfort throughout the scene.

The impact of the food poisoning scene extended beyond the film. It has been credited with changing the comedy landscape for women, proving that female-centric comedies could tackle taboo subjects with humour and heart. The success of Bridesmaids opened the door for more smart and relatable female-driven comedies.

The scene also resonated with audiences, who found it relatable and hilarious. It has become a pop culture reference, with quotes from the scene appearing on Starbucks cups and in everyday conversations. The food poisoning sequence is a testament to the film's ability to blend humour with emotional storytelling, creating a relatable and enduring comedy classic.

Competition between maid of honour and bridesmaid

Competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid can threaten to upend the life of the bride, as seen in the 2011 comedy film "Bridesmaids". The film depicts the competition between the maid of honour and a bridesmaid, both vying to be the bride's best friend.

The maid of honour is the bride's right-hand woman and typically her closest confidante. She is responsible for organising pre-wedding events, coordinating the bridal party, and providing emotional support to the bride. The maid of honour is also expected to be more involved in the wedding planning process and has more responsibilities than the bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids, on the other hand, are a group of the bride's closest friends or family members who support her on her big day. They play a supportive role in the weeks leading up to the wedding, helping with tasks such as addressing invitations, setting up decorations, and keeping the bride calm. On the wedding day, they assist the maid of honour with last-minute details and ensuring the bride is relaxed.

When choosing the maid of honour and bridesmaids, it is essential to consider the relationships, availability, and reliability of the candidates. The bride should select individuals who can provide emotional support and be a calming presence on her wedding day.

In the film "Bridesmaids", the competition between the maid of honour, Annie, and a bridesmaid, Helen, leads to a series of misfortunes for Annie. Their jealousy over the bride's attention results in increasing competitiveness for her friendship, affecting the planning of the bridal shower and wedding. Ultimately, Annie is removed from her role as the maid of honour, but they reconcile, and she resumes her position for the wedding.

Bridesmaids' expensive duties

Being a bridesmaid can be a costly affair, with travel to destination weddings and pre-wedding parties being the biggest expenses. In some cultures, bridesmaids were historically chosen from unwed young women of marriageable age, and the size of the bridal party was closely calculated according to the family's social status and wealth. Nowadays, the number of bridesmaids in a wedding party depends on various factors, including the bride's preferences, the size of her family, and the number of attendants her partner would like to have.

While the duties of a bridesmaid are limited, they are often expected to assist the bride with wedding planning and participate in wedding-related events such as bridal showers and bachelorette parties. These activities are optional, and according to etiquette expert Judith Martin, "bridesmaids are not obliged to entertain in honour of the bride, nor to wear dresses they cannot afford".

In modern times, bridesmaids often have to pay for their own clothing and travel expenses, and may even be expected to contribute financially to parties that the bride wants to have before the wedding. As a result, it has become customary for the bride to present her bridesmaids with gifts as a token of appreciation for their support and financial commitment.

In some cases, being a bridesmaid can lead to unexpected expenses, such as last-minute travel arrangements or medical costs due to injuries sustained during the wedding festivities. It is not uncommon for tensions to arise within the bridal party due to financial strain, and in extreme cases, this can result in physical altercations, as seen in the case of a bridesmaid who made an official complaint to the police after being attacked by the bride-to-be during a hen party.

To avoid such unpleasant situations, it is advisable for prospective bridesmaids to discuss the expected financial obligations with the bride beforehand and be honest about their financial capabilities. This open communication can help manage expectations and ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the financial commitments involved in being a bridesmaid.

Bridesmaids' historical role

The role of a bridesmaid has changed significantly over time. Bridesmaids have historically "served" the bride, and the role can be traced back to the Biblical story of Jacob, who had two wives, Leah and Rachel, who were escorted to their wedding by their servants, or "brides' maids". In this context, bridesmaids were not friends or relatives but domestic workers who were responsible for catering to the bride's every need.

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids were also believed to protect the bride from evil spirits or bandits by wearing identical outfits to the bride to confuse evildoers. This tradition was also practised in ancient China during the feudal era, where brides were susceptible to kidnapping by rival clans and hooligans.

In modern times, bridesmaids are typically the bride's close friends or relatives, and their duties are more limited. They are required to attend the wedding and assist the bride, but their presence is more symbolic than functional. The number of bridesmaids is usually chosen by the bride, and they often participate in planning wedding-related events such as bridal showers or bachelorette parties.

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