By Erika Lynde
To have — or not to have — a wedding party…I’m torn. I never wanted a wedding party. All that drama with girls and giving them titles — marginalizing women, especially those near and dear to me, is not my idea of fun! My fiancé, on the other hand, demands a best man, and a lop-sided ceremony is not my ideal either. He wants the toast, he wants the bachelor party, he wants the support, and I get it. I can’t deny him the only thing he envisions for his wedding.
In the beginning I thought I’d choose my sister because it’s the typical maid of honor choice, correct? But my poor baby sister. I couldn’t ask all the stuff that goes along with being maid of honor of my younger sibling. She’s just starting her life in this big world. Paying bills, working two jobs, etc. Plus, I’m going to need a dedicated partner in crime to make all my dreams come true.
Next I thought my gorgeous friend from good ol’ Rhode Island would be a perfect fit…too bad she is getting married in August (best friend brides!). Even though I’m her maid of honor, her wedding is before mine — wouldn’t it be wrong to ask her to put me first considering her wedding is three months prior? But then it dawned on me: My oldest and dearest time-will-never-change-us friend Alissa fits perfectly into the shoes of maid of honor. The only reason to even question it is because she lives across the United States. Nevertheless, she is it. I promise to keep you up to date with how having a maid of honor across country goes!
Now, time to tell all the other “contenders” that they didn’t make the cut. Liam keeps telling me I shouldn’t have to explain, but now I’m just feeling like a bad friend/sister. I feel as if I gave away some big trophy and left the rest of the team in the dust. Sometimes you just have to put yourself first and hope that everyone loves you enough that it’ll all be okay.
(Take a look at all these Maid of Honor duties!!!!)