Acknowledging bridesmaid that stepped down

jennygru

I have a bridesmaid that stepped down for a completely understandable reason. She is a childhood friend, and I am wondering if there is a good way to still acknowledge her in the program perhaps? Do I list her with the other bridesmaids somehow? I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Thank you.

aurianna

Will she not be at the wedding? In our program we had a little blurb about the family/friends who couldn't be there that day.

If she'll be at the wedding... then I'm confused why she isn't in the wedding. But if she's not a bridesmaid you really don't need to put anything in the program or anything. Though when my college roommate got married she asked her sisters and other roommate to be her bridesmaids, but she did give me and our other roommate a corsage which was totally sweet and unexpected.

bethsmiles

aurianna said:

Will she not be at the wedding? In our program we had a little blurb about the family/friends who couldn't be there that day.

If she'll be at the wedding... then I'm confused why she isn't in the wedding. But if she's not a bridesmaid you really don't need to put anything in the program or anything. Though when my college roommate got married she asked her sisters and other roommate to be her bridesmaids, but she did give me and our other roommate a corsage which was totally sweet and unexpected.

I think that would be a sweet, simple gesture. Putting something in the program would just make people ask questions or confuse them.

vikinggirl4

I had an over-seas friend who came in for the wedding. My WP was small (2 BM's and 3 GM) so I gave her a corsage and had her at the head table with me. I also had her seated with immediate family during the ceremony.

AddieCake

I like the corsage idea. I do not think she needs to be in the program. If she is not IN the wedding, then she does not need to be listed on any program. She's just a guest like any other. 

jennygru

I didn't want to go in to all the details.  Basically, it is a medical issue, so I don't know if she is going to be able to attend.  This is why I was trying to find a way to acknowledge her as she would have been there and been a bridesmaid otherwise.

MairePoppy

You could send her flowers the day of the wedding to let her know that you're thinking of her. It's fine to list her as a bm, in your program. You can send one to her with her flowers or bm gift. 

rondahayes

There are plenty of good reasons why someone who loves you and wants to be your bridesmaid cant- money, time, and health being among them.  There is a much bigger commitment when one agrees to 'maid duties vs being a guest at the affair.  

jennygru: if you feel that she's someone special and you want to acknowledge her, feel free to do so.  There are no rules that you need to follow.  You can list her in the 'special thanks' section since she did you the favor of not having a 'delinquent' bridesmaid.  If you love her and she loves you, do what you feel is right. 

Dreamergirl8812

rondahayes said:

There are plenty of good reasons why someone who loves you and wants to be your bridesmaid cant- money, time, and health being among them.  There is a much bigger commitment when one agrees to 'maid duties vs being a guest at the affair.  

jennygru: if you feel that she's someone special and you want to acknowledge her, feel free to do so.  There are no rules that you need to follow.  You can list her in the 'special thanks' section since she did you the favor of not having a 'delinquent' bridesmaid.  If you love her and she loves you, do what you feel is right. 

There is no such thing as maid duties except getting the dress. And if one of my bms wanted to drop out because she couldn't afford the dress then I would buy it for her. I know that's not OP's situation, I'm just saying. There actually aren't many reasons to "step down" unless the bride is being a bridezilla, or the bm can't actually attend the wedding (such as OP's friend).

Delinquent bridesmaid? Is she an underage petty crook?

kelmar87

I think it would be very sweet to put her in the program in the special thanks section and give her a BM gift still. It's something personal to let her know you love and appreciate her. The corsage is a great idea if she is able to make it!