Southern Weddings

Brides aren’t the only ones looking for guidance and inspiration before the big day! I’m willing to bet that many of y’all are (or have been, or will be!) the best gal beside the bride, trying to do everything you can to make sure her engagement is sweet and her wedding day smooth. We teamed up with our friends at Weddington Way and a few of our favorite Nashville ladies, including former Bachelorette Kacie Gaston, YouTube star Julia Sheer, country artist Katie Armiger, and lifestyle blogger Caroline Acree, to offer some advice for those of y’all walking down the aisle just before the bride!

Southern Weddings: What’s your best tip for fulfilling the role of bridesmaid?
Kacie Gaston: Let the bride know you are available to help with anything during the wedding planning process. The day of, give her a token of your friendship to let her know how excited you are for her special day!
Katie Armiger: Just have fun and enjoy it! Do all that you can to ensure that the bride is taken care of. It’s her special day, and you want to make sure that it goes as smoothly as possible.
Julia Sheer: Go with the flow, no complaining, and always have some tissues on hand for the criers.
Caroline Acree: This day is about celebrating the happy couple. The bride and groom should feel support and love from everyone around them. A bridesmaid should not only add to the happiness of this exciting day, but make herself useful whenever possible. Attend to the couple, the wedding party, and the guests in the most genuine and courteous way possible. Go the extra mile and offer to handle planning details for the bride. Let her enjoy her happy day to the fullest.

SW: If you were getting married tomorrow, what would you have your bridesmaids wear?
Kacie: I would have Weddington Way send me a mixture of the gold dresses and lace in styles that complement the bridesmaids’ body types. I love mixing textures and colors!!
Katie: I would choose either a deep navy or a black dress. I love the classic darker colors.
Julia: I would have them wear a mixture of different dresses in the same color range.
Caroline: I’ve always loved the idea of an all-white wedding, but I’ve never liked bridesmaids wearing the same dress. I’d let them choose their own shape, neckline, length… even fabric! Just as long as each bridesmaid felt beautiful in her dress, I’d be happy!

SW: Do you have a favorite memory from your time as a bridesmaid, or with the bridesmaids at your wedding?
Kacie: Really, my favorite part of being a bridesmaid and on my own wedding day is the quality time you get to spend with those who are closest to you. It means so much to share such a precious time with all of those who have built and shaped you into who you are!
Katie: Just hanging out with best friends at their wedding, laughing and reveling in the happy day. It is a day of celebrating life and love, after all.
Julia: My favorite time as a bridesmaid was when I got to be in my older sister’s wedding about 6 or 7 years ago. It was so fun to get to be a part of all the bridal showers and celebrations even though I was much younger than most of the people in the bridal party. It was a great way for all of my sisters and I to bond more.
Caroline: I’ve actually never been a bridesmaid, and I’m not married! :)

Big hugs to all of these fabulous Nashville gals for sharing! You can follow along with them here: Kacie | Katie | Julia | Caroline

Friends, be sure to check out Weddington Way to get a closer look at the bridesmaid dresses these gals are sporting! Their current collection includes more than one thousand beautiful options from leading designers.

Photographer: Tec Petaja | Set + Floral Stylist: Jessica Sloane | Calligrapher/Menu: Chelsea Petaja | Beauty and Hair: Babe Beauty Bar | Model Agency: Amax (Danielle Maltby, Mary Elizabeth Clark, Sydney Chiyoko)

Written with love by Emily