The Curious Tradition Of Hiring Bridesmaids Explained

People hire bridesmaids for a variety of reasons. Some people do not have close friends or family members to support them on their big day, while others have friends who are unreliable or prone to causing drama. Hiring a bridesmaid can help to fill out the wedding party and ensure that everything runs smoothly. In some cases, people may want to hire a bridesmaid to create a buffer between problem relatives or to inject a sparky personality into a staid social environment. Additionally, a hired bridesmaid can serve as a personal assistant, social director, and peacekeeper for the bride, providing support and guidance throughout the wedding planning process.

To fill a quota

While it is not unheard of for brides to hire bridesmaids, it is not usually to fill a quota. In fact, this goes against the very nature of the role, which is to provide emotional support and practical help to the bride before and during the wedding.

The brides who hire bridesmaids tend to do so because they lack close friends or have friends who are unreliable or likely to cause drama. In these cases, the hired bridesmaid is expected to be a "friend for hire" and to provide a buffer against problem relatives or difficult bridesmaids. They are also expected to be discreet, often working under a false name and backstory.

Hiring a bridesmaid is not the same as hiring a wedding planner. It is a highly personal service, and the bridesmaid is expected to be the bride's "emotional fulcrum". This means that the role can be extremely stressful and emotionally draining, and the best candidates for the job are those with "a strong, passionate love for people".

While some brides do hire bridesmaids to fill out their wedding party, this is not the norm, and it is generally considered preferable to have an uneven bridal party or no bridal party at all than to hire a stranger to fill a quota.

To reduce wedding drama

Hiring a bridesmaid can be a great way to reduce the stress and drama that often comes with planning a wedding. A professional bridesmaid can act as a buffer between problem relatives, help defuse any tensions that may arise, and provide support and guidance to the bride in the months leading up to the big day.

One of the main benefits of hiring a bridesmaid is their ability to handle any drama or problems that may occur. They can be a sounding board for the bride, helping her to sort out any family drama or issues with the bridal party. They can also step in if a maid of honor drops out or causes drama, providing a calm and professional presence during a stressful time.

In addition to providing emotional support, hired bridesmaids can also take care of practical tasks such as planning the bachelorette party, picking out bridesmaid dresses, and dealing with any last-minute issues that may arise. This can free up the bride's time and energy to focus on the things that are important to her, reducing the overall stress of wedding planning.

Hiring a bridesmaid can also be a solution for brides who don't have a lot of close friends or who have unreliable friends. A professional bridesmaid can provide the support and companionship that a bride might otherwise be missing, ensuring that she has someone to lean on and confide in during the wedding planning process.

Ultimately, hiring a bridesmaid can be a great way to reduce the drama and stress associated with weddings. By providing emotional support, practical help, and a calm presence, a hired bridesmaid can help ensure that the bride's journey to the altar is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

To provide emotional support

Bridesmaids are often hired to provide emotional support to the bride, acting as a buffer between the bride and any Problem Relatives or other sources of stress. They can also help to fill a gap if the bride doesn't have many close friends.

Professional bridesmaids can act as a bodyguard for the bride, dealing with any drama or chaos that arises, and ensuring that the bride doesn't have to deal with it herself. They can also be a source of unbiased advice and support, as they have no incentive to lie or upcharge.

In addition to providing support and dealing with problems, a hired bridesmaid can also take on some of the more practical aspects of the role, such as helping to plan the bachelorette party, picking out dresses, and giving speeches.

To outsource wedding planning

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and time-consuming process. From managing guest lists to coordinating with vendors, there are countless tasks that need to be completed before the big day. For busy individuals or those who are simply overwhelmed by the prospect of planning a wedding, hiring a bridesmaid can be a convenient solution.

Professional bridesmaids, such as those offered by companies like Bridesmaid for Hire, can take on a variety of tasks to ensure the wedding runs smoothly. They can help with planning the bachelorette party, providing emotional support to the bride, and even breaking up fights between guests. By outsourcing these tasks to a professional, couples can reduce their stress levels and free up time to focus on other aspects of the wedding or their daily lives.

In addition to logistical support, hired bridesmaids can also provide emotional support to the bride. They can be a sounding board for the bride's concerns, offer advice, and provide a friendly presence during what can be a stressful time. This can be especially valuable for brides who may not have close friends or family members to lean on during the wedding planning process.

Hiring a bridesmaid can also help to ensure that the wedding day itself goes off without a hitch. Professional bridesmaids are experienced in handling last-minute issues, such as fixing a damaged wedding dress or dealing with cold feet. They can also help to fill in for absent or unreliable bridesmaids, ensuring that the bridal party is complete and the day proceeds as planned.

While hiring a bridesmaid may not be the right choice for everyone, it can be a valuable option for couples who want to outsource some of the planning and logistics associated with their wedding. By doing so, they can reduce stress, gain emotional support, and ensure that their wedding day runs smoothly, even if they don't have a large support network of their own.

To maintain a social image

Hiring a bridesmaid is a way to maintain a social image and avoid the embarrassment of not having enough friends to fill the role. This is a common issue, with 1 in 5 millennials reporting that they have no close friends.

Having a full set of bridesmaids is seen as desirable, and people may hire bridesmaids to avoid the perceived "awkwardness" of having no one to stand beside them during their wedding. This can be particularly important for those who are very image-conscious and want to create a certain impression on their wedding day.

Some people may also hire bridesmaids to avoid the perceived imbalance of having a groom with a best man, but no equivalent on the bride's side. This desire for symmetry and balance in wedding photos can be a motivating factor in hiring bridesmaids.

Additionally, hiring a bridesmaid can be a way to ensure that someone is fulfilling a specific role and presenting a certain image during the wedding. A hired bridesmaid can be relied upon to perform traditional bridesmaid duties, such as giving a speech, and maintaining a calm and supportive presence for the bride.

However, it is important to note that the act of hiring a bridesmaid itself may be seen as unusual or even "weird" by some, and could potentially draw attention or raise eyebrows among wedding guests. Thus, while hiring a bridesmaid can be a way to maintain a social image, it may also, in some cases, bring unwanted attention or judgment.

Frequently asked questions