How It All Started
I started being a bridesmaid in 2019, and somehow before I even blinked I have done it eight more times since then. How did I get here?
Let’s take it back to the beginning.
As a little girl, I was the designated flower girl at every family wedding. Aunty this, cousin that, I had the shoes, the dress, and the smile (well, i was pretty shy too). But funny enough, I never really noticed the bridesmaids or at that time, i think it was just the maid of honor. They were just… there. Pretty, coordinated, but not top of mind.
That changed the day I watched 27 Dresses.
It was actually the first movie I ever watched in a cinema (I think). And for some reason, I was hooked. I didn’t care that most of the dresses were questionable (very questionable 😅). I loved her energy (Katherine Heigl) how she showed up for her people, how she cared, how she made things happen.
I left that movie thinking:
“I want to do this for my friends someday.”
The 27 Dresses Effect
If you haven’t watched 27 Dresses, you really should. It’s a rom-com, very feel-good, and yes she actually had 27 dresses. I’m currently at number 8. Let’s see where this goes 👀
My First Bridesmaid Story
The first time I was asked to be a bridesmaid was in 2019. We were 12 in total , it was vibrant, exciting, but also a lot. It was one of those 2-in-1 weddings: traditional in the morning, church wedding later that day. So picture early makeup call times, multiple outfit changes, back-and-forth between venues and hotel — proper movement. Luckily, the church ceremony was in the same hall, so that helped a bit.
I think we paid around ₦30,000 at the time — that covered our dress and makeup, and honestly, the bride did well. She booked a hotel room for the bridesmaids, which wasn’t bad at all. Even the Asoebi was about ₦15k, so very manageable (especially compared to now 👀).
I remember standing there at one point thinking:
“So this is what it’s like?”
More Than Matching Dresses
It wasn’t just the glam and matching dresses, there was real commitment, responsibility, and even emotional work involved. You’re not just showing up cute; you’re showing up for someone you love.
But let’s talk about something people don’t really mention: the networking.
Being on a bridal train quietly opens you up to a whole new world. You start meeting vendors, makeup artists, photographers, alagas, stylists even fellow creatives or potential clients. The group chats might be chaotic, but if you are paying attention, you’re also collecting contacts.
One day you’re a bridesmaid, and before you know it… you are the Bride.
And because you have seen it all up close, you already know who you’re calling.
“I’m using this makeup artist.”
“Omo, this alaga was calm and still gave energy.”
“Let me just DM that photographer.”
You’re not just serving looks; you’re curating your own wedding vendor list, quietly, effortlessly, without even realising it.
It saves you stress. It saves you trial and error. And honestly? In this industry, referrals are everything.
Why I Started Bridesmaid Diaries
Every bridesmaid experience I have had has been different, the group chats, the dress drama, the jokes, the mishaps, the heartfelt speeches. It’s a beautiful kind of chaos, and it deserves to be documented.
Bridesmaid Diaries is a space for that:
- The real stories behind the glam
- The group chats, the dress drama, the laughs that start at fittings and don’t stop till the afterparty. And most of all, sisterhood.
- Because there’s something special about standing beside someone you love on one of the biggest days of their life. It’s not just vibes, it’s memories that stay with you
What’s Yours?
So I want to ask you, Have you ever been a bridesmaid?
What was it like? What did you love? What would you never do again?
Let’s share stories. Laugh. Cry. Relive the memories. And maybe… prepare for the next one 😅
→ Drop a comment, subscribe, or send me your story.
P.S. If you have photos or want to send gist via voice note, feel free to DM me @theowalife on Instagram.
I just might feature you here.
Need Help With Bridesmaid or Asoebi Coordination?
At The Owa Life, we offer Bridal Concierge services especially for couples who want to keep things soft, stress-free, and stunning.
Whether it’s coordinating your Asoebi, sending fabric to your girls (locally or abroad), managing your bridesmaid group chat, or making sure everyone gets their dresses and looks, we handle it end-to-end.
Think logistics, styling, communication and coordination
Basically, we take the stress off your hands so you can focus on enjoying your big day.
📩 Ready to get started?
Slide into our DMs @theowalife
