- 1). Contact the bridesmaid and say you'd like to meet with her to discuss important particulars about the wedding. Make sure you try getting in touch with her through at least two methods of communication--email and phone, for example. If worst comes to worst and she does not respond, inquire with the bride about where she lives and find out if you can pay her a visit in person.
- 2). Be firm but polite when you meet with her to communicate your concerns. Perhaps the bridesmaid does not fully understand what it means to hold such an important place in the wedding of her friend or family member and her behavior is merely the result of miscommunication.
- 3). Give the bridesmaid suggestions on how she can become more involved. For instance, simply returning emails and phone calls is a huge help. Make sure she understands that it's very important for her to communicate with you and pitch in--not just financially--for the sake of giving the bride a memorable shower, bachelorette party and so forth. Tell her that her input matters and encourage her to chime in with her ideas.
- 4). Set clear deadlines and send her friendly reminders to make sure she completes the task if she volunteers to help with a key aspect of party planning, such as booking the shower venue, making invitations or selecting favors. Offer to help in any way you can. If she starts to slip up or stops communicating, make it clear that if you don't hear from her by a certain day before the specific task must be done, you will assume she has not performed the task and you'll take it from there.
- 5). Make sure she understands that her lack of communication or participation could hurt, disappoint and anger the bride. Sometimes all it takes is a reminder that her behavior could jeopardize her friendship with someone she truly cares about.
- 6). Involve the bride if all of the above efforts fail. Be diplomatic yet frank with the bride about this deadbeat bridesmaid's behavior and offer examples of how you have tried to set things right. Tell her that while you understand she may be hurt, this bridesmaid is someone who clearly does not want the job and should be "cut from the line-up," so to speak, to avoid future stress--especially on the day of the wedding.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -