A lot of people desperately want their love to be contagious. If you've found someone who seemingly makes your heart pump to the beat of a Chainsmokers song, then you want nothing more than for your closest friends and family to feel the exact same way. That's why, when you're about to walk down the aisle with your soul mate, you might be tempted to give your single bridesmaids a few "helpful" hints on how they, too, can find the loves of their lives.
But while you may think you're helping, you're probably actually alienating and insulting them. So please, pretty please, stop saying these five obnoxious things to your single bridesmaids.
Just because you snagged your angelfish in an ocean filled with bottom feeders doesn’t mean you should become your bridesmaids' motivational dating coach. Remember how many unthinkably horrible dates you had to go on with people who only talked about themselves or made you split the bill when you only ordered one drink and they ordered five? Keep that in mind the next time you want to pep-talk your single bridesmaid with a monologue about how if she just keeps searching the “sea” (also known as the dance floor of your wedding or the database of Match.com), she might get as lucky as you did.
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
This comparison will only make your bridesmaid want to take the polyester dress you’re making her buy and toss it in the trash. Rather than insinuating that she’s the always the bridesmaid character in the rom-com of your life, help boost her confidence by comparing her to a powerful movie or TV character — like Katniss Everdeen. And don't offer cliché comparisons to the “try and try again” dating lives of Carrie Bradshaw or Mindy Lahiri.
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
Your friend may have no immediate prospects in the love department as of now, but that doesn’t mean she can’t rally someone to accompany her to your shindig. Instead of snatching the opportunity from her subjectively, give her the option of bringing a plus-one, and let her decide whether to come alone or invite someone of her choice.
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
Don't put your single bridesmaid in some skintight getup with the misguided aim of making her look "sexy." Just because she's single doesn't mean she wants her body on full display — and if you want her to look and feel confident in her dress, ask her to pick it out herself.
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
Even if that's true, there's no need to rub it in your single bridesmaid's face. If you do slip up and say that pre-wedding, then the best thing to do is to give her the opportunity to bring a plus-one. That way, she won't find herself resting her elbows on the open bar while eye-rolling at the slow-dancers.
Illustrated by Natalia Spotts.
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