3 ways you can avoid bridesmaid burnout during your best friend's wedding

If you thought brides and grooms are the only ones who experience anxiety and burnout at a wedding, think again. Who is the one running around to make sure the bride gets everything as she wishes? Who is the life of every celebration? Who do the bride's parents go to for any jobs they want to get done? Yes. It is the bridesmaid. While being asked to be a bridesmaid is inarguably one of the happiest and most memorable moments in a friendship, being one comes with a never-ending list of duties, expectations and a whole lot of stress. It’s like an unpaid internship, a part-time job where you will (willingly) give more than 100 per cent just to keep the bride happy and smiling. You’re always on call, right by her side as a shadow.  

Yes, bridesmaid burnout is a thing and it is absolutely normal to feel exhausted and maybe even hope the festivities are over soon, especially if you’re dealing with a bridezilla. But it is a special moment and there are better ways to handle the situation that letting your spirits dampen. Here are three simple, yet effective ways to avoid bridesmaid burnout and enjoying the special day of your bestie.

Keep the lines of communication with the brides transparent: One of the most important tips to avoiding bridesmaid burnout is by having open and honest conversation with the bride-to-be. Your friend having a lavish wedding may be taking a toll on your finances and might keep you on your toes more than ever. A big fat weddign or not, if your friend turns out to be bridezilla or takes you and your time for granted amind the whole wedding frenzy, it’s best you address the issues at the very earliest. Your friend, should they be considerate, will appreciate your honesty and might even be willing to make adjustments and introspect. 

Set a budget and stick to it: The minute you become a bridesmaid, think about how much it’s going to cost you. This includes what you’re going to be wearing, how you’re going to travel, the accommodation, and the gifts you’re going to give along with other miscellaneous expenses. It’s best to draw boundaries by establishing budgets that will not see you overspend. Weddings are an event where anything can happen at anytime. So put yourself in the mind frame where you expect the unexpected and have a ballpark figure that includes unclear additional costs and a buffer as well. You can consider borrowing or renting out outfits for some functions.  

Prioritise self-care

There’s a lot of loud music, heavy clothing, alcohol, socialising, and lights that can probably result in sensory overload. There’s so much happening that it’s hard to keep up with everything. You must make time for yourself and ensure that you’re not ignoring your own well-being. If there are too many things, out of your control, that you’re unable to handle, opt for the open line of communication mentioned above. Neglecting your needs just to meet social expectations is never a good idea and is a sure-shot way of getting burned out.