Are bridesmaids a necessary evil?

Mar 23rd 2021 0 Comments

The camel has been referred to as the ship of the desert. When seen at a distance, the swinging awkward motion would almost be a look-alike of a vessel rising and falling by the tossing and bustling of the waves of the sea.

These creatures are so imposing that it’s impossible to miss them. The equally animated mirth of the mounted passengers combines for a delightful sight.

A modern couple taking out a camel ride by the seaside

Such was the spectacle in the olden days of a bride riding across territories to meet her groom. This was further nuanced by the fact that several camels moved in an entourage, each bearing a bridesmaid indistinguishable from the rest, covered by the same face covering, dressed in the same apparel and almost always beaming with the same innocence.

In those days, the velocity of motion and noiseless steps of the elegant dromedaries allowed this bridal pageant whose stage was on their backs the perfect setting to share final moments of laughter, nostalgia and even sobbing.

Bridesmaids back then were a real support- they had their skin in the game, they literally put their lives on the line for the bride to keep her from both seen and unseen enemies. They also stood in for the bride when she could not fulfill all her duties- think Hagar who had to bear Ishmael on behalf of Sarah in the Bible.

The Cover for the movie Bridesmaids released in 2016

If you have watched the movie Bridesmaids, however, it’s not far-fetched to conclude that there has been a drastic twist in traditions. Lately, bridesmaids are almost like models at a bridal pageant, the unmarried sometimes take it for a platform to display their ‘marriage potential’ to possible suitors.

It’s not uncommon for make-up artists to negotiate with bridesmaids to have their make-up done in such a way not to ‘out-shine’ the bride. In fact one tailor told us a story where the bridesmaid paid an extra amount to have their dress have such a unique design from the rest of the maids so that she too would ‘share’ in the cloud of attention that hovers around the bride and her groom on their wedding day.

Wedding planners will confirm that one of the biggest struggles at weddings is how to get bridesmaids to look and act the part.

We once had a row with bridesmaids at a function where the couple was late for the church service partly because of one them having delayed to come to the salon. In the ensuing hours, we tried our best as the wedding planners to redeem the time lost.

So, we resolved that as soon as the last of the maids had their make-up and dress done then the entire entourage would be driven to the church with the bride’s vehicle right behind it.

In this particular instance, the maids dragged their feet, one particular maid took turns in the mirror each time a layer of make-up was applied to her face. Then there was one who kept changing hairstyles because apparently the one agreed upon made her ‘look old’. In the end, the bride sat waiting in her bridal car for the maids to join her, all the while the service time was closing in