The Bridesmaids: True Tales of Love, Envy, Loyalty . . . and Terrible Dresses
by Eimear Lynch
Publication: 29th April 2014
Publisher: Picador
Pages: 256
Genre: Non-Fiction
Age Appropriate: 15+
WHAT DO A FORMER FASHION MODEL, AN EX-NUN, AND A FRAT BOY HAVE IN COMMON? VIRTUALLY NOTHING, EXCEPT THAT EACH HAS EXPERIENCED A UNIVERSAL RITE OF PASSAGE: BEING A BRIDESMAID.
Each year 11 million bridesmaids lead their best friends down the aisle. Most wear matching dresses, and nearly all have a thing or two to say about the bride. In this uproarious oral history, editor and journalist Eimear Lynch offers us an intimate glimpse at the moments the wedding photographer failed to capture.
From the accidental bridesmaid who helped sew the bride into her “designer” gown to the tomboy who struggled to carry Princess Diana’s twenty-five foot train, The Bridesmaids lifts the veil on the Big Day. Opening with her own experiences as a five-time ’maid, Eimear gives us stories that are by turns heartfelt, funny, scandalous, and sometimes downright strange. An ode to the good, the bad, the strapless chiffon, and the occasional three-piece suit—and, above all, to the supporting actresses and actors who wore them—The Bridesmaids is a colorful walk down the aisle that you won’t want to miss, and the perfect companion for every bridesmaid-to-be.
Each year 11 million bridesmaids lead their best friends down the aisle. Most wear matching dresses, and nearly all have a thing or two to say about the bride. In this uproarious oral history, editor and journalist Eimear Lynch offers us an intimate glimpse at the moments the wedding photographer failed to capture.
From the accidental bridesmaid who helped sew the bride into her “designer” gown to the tomboy who struggled to carry Princess Diana’s twenty-five foot train, The Bridesmaids lifts the veil on the Big Day. Opening with her own experiences as a five-time ’maid, Eimear gives us stories that are by turns heartfelt, funny, scandalous, and sometimes downright strange. An ode to the good, the bad, the strapless chiffon, and the occasional three-piece suit—and, above all, to the supporting actresses and actors who wore them—The Bridesmaids is a colorful walk down the aisle that you won’t want to miss, and the perfect companion for every bridesmaid-to-be.
My Thoughts.
The Bridesmaids was one of those books that hooked me from the synopsis, chances are that at least once in your life you will be asked to be somebody's bridesmaid/maid of honor, if not you then at least somebody that you know, if you are really lucky you won't end up bridesmaid to a bridezilla.Being asked to be part of a bridal party, to be a part of the happy couple's special day is a privilege, and let's face it you feel special because out of the many number of friends and family, you were one of the chosen few.
I loved reading all the stories in here about people's different experience's, from the good, the bad and the ugly, every tale was interesting and relatable.
Some people found themselves at the beck and call of the bride, some got fired and the age old problem with being a bridesmaid, the dress, you know the one that you would never ever wear again and which you also seem to spend an obscene amount of money on just to wear it that once.
And while most of these stories are anonymously written with only an initial and age of the person, I would have loved some pictures of the hideous dresses, but I can understand why there weren't any, it's a pity though.
Intentional or not I loved that the cover to this book felt like the paper some people use for wedding invitations, it was a nice touch to go along with the pretty design on the front cover.
All in all I really enjoyed this book, with most stories only being a few pages long, it's a quick read, highly recommended, even for those who don't generally read non-fiction, give it a go.
I give this 4/5 stars.
