📞 Hello? Hi. It’s me, Jen Glantz. Welcome to the 1-800-Bridesmaid, by Bridesmaid for Hire. A place where real stories are shared and your best advice is given.
This week: The caller is worried she’s inconveniencing her friends and family with her wedding so she doesn’t want to ask them for anything.
Last week: The caller admits she’s almost been engaged 3x but hasn’t had any luck meeting someone she wants to spend time with. She wonders why and is desperate for advice. Here’s what you told her.
Hold please:
Ps. Finally the Bride is on sal for 0.99 cents this week! It’s been climbing the new release charts on Amazon and I’m so grateful for all of your support. If you ever wanted to give or gift the book, now is the time! Your support means so so so much.
👏 Professional Bridesmaid Picks of the Week
Try this: All my friends are paying $$$ to get a color analysis done to see what colors work for their skin tone. After noticing how popular this trend is but how unaccessible it is to the average person (it can cost $250+) my team created an affordable alternative that reveals your perfect color palette for just $9.
Discover which colors make your skin glow, your eyes pop, and your natural features shine – without the luxury price tag. In minutes, you'll unlock personalized style insights that normally cost hundreds. Give it a try here.
Something Special: I’ve been spending some quality time at this really cool store in Brooklyn, Catbird. They have really beautiful bespoke jewelry. I go there for the forever bracelets (where they zap a bracelet on you). If you’re looking to gift something soecial to someone, or yourself, they offered me this code to use for 15% off your purchase (yay!!): CBFRIENDBK
Song: I’ve listened to this song a million times this week it is so fun.
Most-Worn Item Of the Week: I have a lot of mismatched items in my closet and it made me realize that there’s one staple that i’m missing — that I could really benefit from. A black blazer! I grabbed this one last week and already wore it twice — once in a casual setting and once for a work event.
Dear 1-800-Bridesmaid,
I'm Hannah, a soon-to-be bride with what feels like an embarrassing problem. Ever since getting engaged, I've been overwhelmed with self-doubt about my wedding celebrations.
I've been avoiding planning a bachelorette party or bridal shower because I'm terrified they'll be awkward failures. I keep thinking about how few close friends I have compared to my fiancé, who seems to know everyone. My guest list is maybe 25 people while his is pushing 80. I worry people will notice this imbalance and judge me for it.
When I look at other brides on social media with their squads of bridesmaids and lavish parties, I feel like I'm doing this all wrong. I've even hesitated to ask my future mother-in-law to go dress shopping because I don't want to inconvenience her. And trying on dresses? Everyone talks about that magical moment when you find "the one" and cry tears of joy. I just see my flaws no matter what anyone tells me.
My mom thinks I need to "get over myself" and let people celebrate me, but it feels so uncomfortable being the center of attention. I keep wondering if people are only participating out of obligation rather than genuine excitement. What if my bridesmaids secretly resent the time and money they're spending? What if my small bridal shower looks pathetic?
I know these fears are probably irrational, but they feel very real. My wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but instead, it's bringing up all these insecurities I didn't know I had. How do I overcome this and actually enjoy this chapter of my life?
Help!
-Hannah
Have advice? Share it below. Hannah is looking at everything you share!
Ps. What’s new with Bridesmaid for Hire:
A lot of you are reaching out to see if we are still hiring. Yes, but at the moment, there aren’t any open positions. I’ll keep you posted inside the newsletter when open positions to work weddings pop up.
My new book Finally the Bride is now available on Amazon!
Check out our wedding tools: Wedding Speech & Vow Writing Tool // Bachelorette Party Planning Tool // Bachelor Party Planning Tool
I'm Jen Glantz and this is my Bridesmaid for Hire newsletter <3
You're right: your feelings here likely aren't rational, but I don't think "get over yourself" is good or compassionate advice. It sounds like you may have some pretty serious struggles with anxiety and self-esteem. I would reach out to a mental health professional, ideally before committing to anything else wedding-related (show them this letter!). I'm sure your friends and family DO want to celebrate with you, but if the whole process is making you miserable, something is wrong. Please be gentle with yourself, and consider seeing a therapist if you think you might need one. (Bonus: it's their job to help their patients, so you are 100% not bothering them!)
Girl where you at? I'll come join your bridal party and celebrate you! Everyone deserves to be celebrated!