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Planning your wedding is a time for you and your bridesmaids to have fun, grow closer, and create great memories. However, it’s natural for the pressure to build when you all work together to pull off one of the biggest nights of your life, especially if your girls don’t all know each other. 

It’s important to keep the peace and ensure that things are drama-free (because let’s be honest; with all of the stress that comes with wedding planning, fighting bridesmaids are the last thing you’ll want to deal with). Here’s our guide to steering clear of bridesmaid drama so you can make the most of your bride experience and have an amazing night celebrating your love. 

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Discuss Expectations

When choosing your crew, it’s key to be upfront about bridesmaid duties from the start. Let them know how much time, money, and energy they’re expected to put into the job.

Be honest about the amount of work you expect the role to come with–that way, they can decide whether they’re able to commit. (And be understanding if they choose to decline, of course.) Starting off on the same page from the jump is the best way for you and your team will stay drama-free throughout the planning process.

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Keep in mind that your bridesmaids have other responsibilities on top of your wedding planning (like a job, caring for their kids, or other boring-life duties). It’s important to be aware and understanding of their opposing schedules. Consider planning weekly times where you can work on wedding planning together, giving your best babes a set level of commitment without taking over all their time. 

Plan Ahead

Although we’re always hoping to avoid drama altogether, sometimes it’s inevitable. So, it’s a smart idea to plan ahead: Whether it’s certain guests who don’t get along or a potential issue in the process, try to identify potential problem areas and come up with plans for how you would handle them. 

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A good strategy is to choose a trusted person and make it their job to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Pick someone who’s good under pressure (and good with people) and can easily steer conversations away from drama. Trust us, you’ll be glad to have the reassurance on your big day

By being proactive and assigning these specific bridesmaid duties ahead of time, you’ll be able to deal with issues immediately instead of letting things get out of hand. This will help everyone to stay calm and collected during the wedding. 

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When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, it’s important to be understanding of everyone’s preferences. Each person has their own style, so sit down with your bridesmaids and pick out an option that you all are happy with. Everyone’s heard stories of bridesmaids who hated their dresses, and that’s not what you want for your wedding.  

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One of our favorite looks is mismatched dresses for your bridesmaids, aka different styles that tie together with common colors and fabrics. When done right, this adds a major wow factor to your wedding while ensuring that your bridesmaids are confident and happy in their outfits.  

Set Boundaries

The more help you get with your wedding, the better it can be–but at the same time, too many people pushing their opinions can be overwhelming. That’s why you want to set boundaries when it comes to planning your wedding. 

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Make sure your bridesmaids feel like they’re a part of the planning process and take time to ask for their input. As you brainstorm together, you’ll likely come up with creative ideas that can bring your wedding to the next level. 

However, if your team gets pushy, remind them that this is your day, and you get to make the final decisions. With the right balance, you and your crew can work together to plan an amazing wedding that’s just your style. 

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Get Plenty of Sleep

 Between the planning and the nerves, it can be hard to get sleep on the days leading up to your wedding, but the more you rest, the better prepared you’ll be for your big day. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep per night. (Need help? Consider wellness patches like The Good Patch’s Dream 4-Pack!)

Getting enough rest improves your mood and helps you keep a calm, peaceful demeanor, so you’ll be equipped to handle any stress that comes with planning your wedding. Encourage the rest of your team to get a good amount of sleep, too. A well-rested team makes for less drama, and you’ll all be able to enjoy the process more. 

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Show Your Appreciation

Finally, remember to thank your bridesmaids and let them know how much you appreciate their help! These are your best friends and maybe family, and they’ve been with you through it all! Think about ways to make the process as enjoyable for them as possible, and make sure they know you’re grateful for them. 

Did our bridesmaid guide help you? Tell us in the comments! Still looking to outfit your crew? Head to our Weddings Shop for bridesmaid dress options they’ll all love!