BRIDAL REAL LIFE
Bridget Herrmann, 41, has splashed out thousands on weddings but has never actually tied the knot...
Gazing at my reflection in the mirror, Iadmired the black gown hugging my figure.
With achiffon bow tied at the back and asexy slit in one leg, the dress was perfect –my favourite so far.
Only, as the other bridesmaids teared up, trying on their dresses in the Chicago bridal shop, I felt out of place. Another one to add to the collection, I thought.
I’d been there, done that – 11 times over! Although I’d also been maid of honour at three other weddings, too.
I still had afew of the bridesmaid dresses hanging in my wardrobe to prove it.
The rest were in my childhood bedroom or donated to charity –mainly the ones that looked like prom dresses.
Yet it wasn’t just the dressing up that kept me accepting bridesmaid offers.
I loved showing up for my friends and helping them plan their special days. But I’ve never had one of my own.
Iguess you could say that just like Jane from 27 Dresses, I’m always the bridesmaid, never the bride. While only afew people have made that connection –Iwas doing this two years before the film!
Iwas first asked to be a bridesmaid in 2006.
My best friend from secondary school, Mary, took me out for dinner one evening to celebrate her engagement. ‘Obviously you’ll be in the wedding, too,’ she said casually. Iwas gobsmacked, but there was no way I’d have said no. ‘Of course I’ll be your bridesmaid!’ I exclaimed.
Iwas honoured to be chosen. And my first time being a bridesmaid went smoothly.
I organised awedding shower instead of a bachelorette party –sending out invites to guests and collating the gift registry.
Being so young, our parents helped with the planning, too – my mum Michale, 65, made all the flower arrangements.
Thankfully, the dress Iwore was beautiful. Afloor-length, sage green satin gown.
And watching my best friend tie the knot was lovely.
There were no slip-ups –the ceremony was plain-sailing.
Only, Idid have to put in some extra graft as a bridesmaid, moving furniture back into place afterwards.
But from my first time being abridesmaid, Iknew that I’d love to do it again.
While it’s less stressful to just be a guest, I loved playing apart in making someone’s big day special.
It was the best way for me to show up for my friends. While Iknew that my sister Julia, 43, would eventually get married, Inever expected to become abridesmaid in high demand.
Over the years, my friends from school, university and work started tying the knot. And every time, I received abridesmaid offer. In 2010, Iwas asked to be a bridesmai
