London - Being a bridesmaid could be the ultimate test of friendship, a British study has found.
Research has revealed that one third of brides lose contact with a bridesmaid after their big day, after resentments and rows.
It was certainly the case for bride-to-be Kelly Lloyd, 30, from Lancashire, who hit the headlines last week when she was filmed brawling with her bridesmaid, Katrina Hanafin on a plane, as they flew to Spain for her hen party.
Hanafin reported the incident to police and said she certainly wouldn’t be part of the wedding party.
“I have been nothing but nice to Kelly and her two sisters and her friends and this is how she repays me. The wedding is in May, but I certainly will not be going. No way,” she said.
The 33-year-old said she had “no idea” what led to the fight, but a new study has found jealousy, insecurities and financial issues surrounding the big day are often causes of friction between brides and their bridesmaids.
A poll of recently married women in the UK found 32 percent no longer considered themselves to be friends with at least one of the women they chose as a bridesmaid for their special day.
Thirty-nine percent of the 1 939 brides questioned said at least one of their bridesmaids was a member of their family, such as a sister, cousin, niece or aunt.
For those who chose friends, the average length of time they had known one another was five and a half years.
Respondents were asked to disclose if they had entered into any arguments with their bridesmaids in the lead-up to their wedding day.
A large number – 73 percent – admitted they had, but 61 percent of these women confessed the disputes had been of a petty nature and resolved quickly.
However, 32 percent admitted that disagreements with one or more of their bridesmaids had taken their relationship to breaking point, leading to their cutting off contact after the big day.
Asked to disclose the causes behind the minor arguments they’d had with their bridesmaids, the most common reasons were disagreements over dresses, hair styles and hen party arrangements.
Those who had lost touch with one or more of their bridesmaids since the wedding said their friendship was beyond repair because of jealousy about their big day, insecurities with regard to appearance, and financial disagreements (relating to costs associated with the wedding that bridesmaids had to pay).
Of those who had lost contact with one or more of their bridesmaids, 72 percent said they would like to make amends with the individual(s), but only if the bridesmaid made the first move towards reconciliation.
George Charles, spokesman for www.VoucherCodesPro.co.uk, which carried out the study, said: “They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and that seems especially true when her wedding is involved. Even the strongest friendships can be damaged through the stress of organising a wedding.” – Daily Mail
TOP CAUSES OF ROWS BETWEEN BRIDES AND BRIDESMAIDS
Disagreements about bridesmaid dress style/colour – 61%
Disagreements about bridesmaid hairstyles – 55%
Disagreements about hen party arrangements – 42%
Arguments about ‘upstaging’ the bride – 33%
One or more of my bridesmaids not liking one another – 29%
TOP REASONS WHY BRIDES FELL OUT WITH A BRIDESMAID FOR GOOD
Jealousy about her big day – 38%
Insecurities with regards to appearance – 26%
Financial disagreements (relating to costs associated with the wedding that bridesmaids had to pay) – 11%
Drunken behaviour – 7%
Inappropriate behaviour (such as flirting with groom, best man etc) – 3%