By Amanda Parker
A bridesmaid dress is a bridesmaid dress is a bridesmaid dress. They all look the same. If I was to start my own business I’d probably either go into the business of bridesmaid dresses and/or mother of the bride dresses (more to come on the MOB dress in a later blog).
There I was in the dressing room saying those words that no bridesmaid ever wants to hear: “You can totally cut that and wear it again.” Ugh! I said them — those nine words that I had promised myself I would never say. (But it’s totally true — really, you can ask them!)
After searching online, I fell in love with an adorable peplum bridesmaid dress. It was very Audrey Hepburn. The only problem was that everywhere I called only had the dress in short, not long. So 
there we were again, taking a ride up to Hingham, Massachusetts, to where I bought my wedding dress. Lauren, my mom, cousin Brenda and I were surrounded by bridesmaid dresses. Long, short, ugly, pretty, they had it all. They even had some in colors that I didn’t know existed (and I don’t know anyone who would choose them anyway). Lauren tried on the peplum dress, and all I could do was laugh. She looked like a ninety-year-old going to work at a jewelry store — we were dying! Luckily we found a dress that we loved, which also happened to be available at a bridal shop closer to home. One Sunday we all went to Bridal Garden in East Greenwich and the maids and I went wild.
I walked in knowing exactly what I wanted, or so I thought. Dresses were being pulled out from every rack and flying — literally — as they were swapped from dressing room to dressing room. Who had tried this dress on before, who didn’t have a dress to try on and was using the curtain as a cover up — it was hysterical! We all decided on two and then it happened…I was sweating, breaking out in hives. All of a sudden the air seemed very thin. I thought I knew what I wanted, but maybe I really don’t…I don’t know. Right then and there I had my first wedding panic attack. Watch out, crazy bride is ready to blow!!!!! I sat down, had some water, pondered and went with the original dress, which was everyone’s favorite anyway.
In the long run, the confusion and the laughs were worth a few hives. After everyone’s measurements had been taken, we all went out for (what else) a few cocktails!
Also, as a side note, I’d like to congratulate Katie, one of my best friends and a bridesmaid, on her engagement over the weekend. I’m so excited for her and her fiancé. (Anthony: Good job with the bling!) Let the planning begin…