For the first time in my life, I was asked last year to be in a wedding party. Not only am I part of the wedding party but I am the maid of honor. The wedding is a few months away now, but on this journey, I’ve learned a thing here and there about being involved in weddings.

Before being asked to be my best friend’s MOH, I always heard that being a bridesmaid could get expensive. What I didn’t anticipate is just how pricey things could get. We have to pay for the bachelorette trip, a dress and shoes, the wedding shower, a lingerie party, hair and makeup for the wedding day, gifts and housewarming essentials (at least in my case), etc. It’s just a lot and as a broke college student, I’m struggling to keep up. 

I’ve done my best to budget and plan as far ahead as possible but the stress related to wedding planning and preparation has drained me. In some ways, I feel as if I can’t enjoy myself through the process. The bachelorette trip will be fun, of course, but I also see myself stressing over every expense. We’ll be at the beach but I won’t truly be able to feel relaxed until the wave of spending money is over with. 

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my best friend in this season of her life, but I do wish I could fast forward through the more difficult parts.

What makes the entire process even more difficult is that I’m the only bridesmaid that lives away from home, besides the future sister-in-law who is pregnant and handling her own anyway. Everyone else gets to be nearby, helping pick everything out and prepare for the big day. Sometimes I feel so sad not getting to be more involved but I also understand that life just works that way and I have to accept it.

I know my friend doesn’t mind me not being able to be as active as I’d wish to be, so that’s a relief. The most I can do is help create PowerPoints with our trip itinerary and support all her decisions from afar. I love getting text updates or photos with anything wedding-related. It helps make me feel involved, which is great. 

It has been an eye-opening experience and makes me want to elope someday. But I am happy for her and she does deserve so much, so I definitely am glad to get to take part in it all.