by Lori Ryno

Cherish

Finally after two months in the theaters, my husband offered the option to see Bridesmaids the movie tonight. Really??? Through a text, I had to make sure that he understood that it is a “chick flick” and not to feel weird about it…well we both got a lot more from the movie than we anticipated.

I actually am in the wedding industry and represent the company, Splendor, where we rent shawls and umbrellas. So I entered into the theater with a “one eye open” approach thinking that it was out to bash the wedding industry…I was purely mistaken. It offered me the opportunity to open my eyes back to the role of a bridesmaid and the women that stepped in for me 24 years ago. After watching the movie, it’s very easy to ask brides – why do we choose certain women in our lives to stand tall beside us and to be in our weddings…

I must say before going into the theater – I thought it was a movie about a girls’ trip to Las Vegas somewhat on the cursor on Hangover – just to please the female audience. However I found that it is more about friends amongst women and why there is the tradition of bridesmaids throughout the decades.

So what does make up the special bridal party? Why do we choose the certain women in our lives to stand beside us as we say the most sacred vows to the man that we want to live with forever and have children and grow old with? Are they sisters or childhood friends? Roommates from college or those we trusted with our most valuable secrets as school girls? Why is it when we are the most upset, we go back to the place from our past that is the most comforting?

Either way – weddings are to share with the ones we love the most and not to stray from those who care about us the most. It’s so easy to get carried away as we have seen in many movies and wish that we had the female friends who would have stood beside us through thick and thin – the break ups, the disappointments, our confidants and the ones who had our backs whether we deserved it or not.

So – for all those diligent bridesmaids who are willing to purchase the satin dresses with the dyed-to-match shoes and carry the ribbon-wrapped bouquets, I salute you and bless you for standing beside the best friends whom we care about the most. For planning the showers that may never be perfect and assisting with lacing up the bridal gown on the wedding day. You are there because you care, adore, honor, and cherish the time that you have and will continue to stand beside your friend, sister, sister–in–law, college roommate, and best friend from grade school to support and let her know that you love her no matter what lays ahead her. You will always be there for her…that is what being a Bridesmaid is all about…cherish.