Today I plan to see the movie 27 Dresses. In a way, I am mad that someone beat me to telling this story. I have always prided myself in being the only one of all my girlfriends with the most bridesmaids dresses hanging in closests from Memphis to DC.
In 2001, after completing my 15th appearence as a bridesmaid, I decided it was time to set the record with Guinness, not stout, but THE book of records.
I emailed the Guniess Book of World Records and explained my story, that I had been a bridesmaid 15 times, which I found to be a bit unusual, and wondered if they would allow me to set the world’s record for being a bridesmaid.
Two weeks later, I got my answer:
Dear Ms. Crane-
No one to date has requested to set this record. We are happy for you to be the first. Please document every wedding you have participated in as a bridesmaid, including the name of the couple, the date of the wedding, and a photo of you in the wedding, and we will allow you to set the record.
***ARE YOU KIDDING ME****
Well, after the initial shock wore off, I decided that if I actually went through with it and set this record, I would never get married, be the pun of many jokes for the rest of my life, always the bridesmaid never the bride, and maybe even my own reality tv show on FOX. So long story short, I decided against it.
Four years later, in wedding number 16, I finally got my WHITE dress, and was in my 17th wedding four months later as a bridesmaid.
Since then, my bridesmaid card has been wide open. No weddings since August 2005.
While this is a fun story to share, I must say that it was an esteemed honor and privilige to have stood up for all of these beautiful, smart, amazing women on their wedding day. And today, as I go to see this movie, 27 Dresses, I will be thinking fondly of each of you.
Karyn, Paige, Stephanie, Beth, Stephanie, JC, Ashley, Shannon, Cari, Tonya, Suzanne, April, Jessica, Tiffany, Sarah, and Tanya.
Thanks for the memories… and of course, the dresses 🙂
So now, I have to know….How many weddings have you been in?
annielauriewalters.com 
I only have 1 bridesmaid dress hanging in my closet currently.
Not sure what that says about me.
Thanks for stopping by my site
Well I thought I had set the world record Annie Laurie but I have only been in 13, going on 14 this May! So perhaps I will get my white dress in the same timing that you did 🙂 I’m going to see the movie tonight too! Can’t wait to compare thoughts 🙂
Thanks, ALW, I take it you don’t mind I copied you? 🙂 I love, love your blog! Yahoo for writing, writers, and English nerds uniting all over the cyber world.
As for how many weddings, I’ve been in…I had to sit and count so that must mean a lot. Though not NEAR as many as you. I’ve been in seven, although I made it clear to the female world a few years ago, “No more weddings! Please don’t ask me to be your bridesmaid!” I can’t afford any more dresses and two of the seven are now divorced.
Is that awful? I’ve been told I would have been in another 3 if I hadn’t made that anti-bridesmaid statement. I am still holding out for my best friend, Sara. I won’t be able to refuse her in that way (best friends since age 6). So when that day comes, it will be an even eight.
Oh, wait! Christopher’s sister is renewing her vows with her husband this summer. Christopher and I weren’t together when they got married, but I’ve been told I’ll be the “bridesmaid” in that one….wow, so I’ll make it to eight earlier than I thought. Now I need to see the movie!
So glad that you stood up with me on my wedding day. It meant the world to me that you were there, not just for me but for Jon too.
By the way… how was the movie?
Thanks for being my bridesmaid!
So i saw the movie… its was good.. but not what I expected. I may have to work on an alternative! 😛 Thanks girls!!
sorry that i am behind in blog reading but i had to respond to this one…
ashley parker, ashley kern, suzanne, melissa, heather, corrie, and amy ( 3 weeks after the birth of #3 in strapless brown with a green belt! no so cute) is that really only 7? there must be more.
you always be the record holder in m eyes!
danielle henley west!
Annie Laurie, how incredible!!! What does your closet look like?! And how many bridesmaids did you have on your big day?
I’m a little late in responding to this one but I’ve been in 12! Yep, 12 and still no white dress of my own. I’m holding out hope that God has a Mr. Darcy (for those of you unfamiliar see Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice).
You’ve got me beat by 5 so I think there’s hope for me yet!
I have been in 7 weddings and I am broke. I pray to god that no one else asks me to be a bridesmaid. I REALLY do not want to be in one more weddings. Each one has cost me well over a thousand dollars. Do you know what I could have done with seven thousand dollars????
I loved this article as I can relate. I have been asked 11 times to be a bridesmaid although 2 of the weddings never ended up happening and one of them never even got to the point where I bought the dress. So, I have 10 bridesmaid dresses, have been in actually 9 and actually been asked 11 times and I have a feeling there will still be more in my future 🙂 Luckily, I LOVE being a bridesmaid and have no problems saying “yes”.
I have been in 6 weddings, my first was just a week before my second birthday. I have also been bridesmaid when my mum got remarried and as did my dad. I have only ever been to one wedding that I wasnt bridesmaid at and unfortunatley it wasnt my own. 😛 Last wedding was 4 years ago now, but I expect many of my friends to get engaged soon. So be careful I might steal you’re title. 🙂
I have a been a bridesmaid so far 6 and I’m only 15. So still got my best friends to go, I might be able to give you a run for your money 🙂
WOW! I think you will definitely beat me! 🙂
7! Im catching up watch this space! lol 🙂 And im only young.
Okey i will tell you my age 12! And i have LOT more cousins and friends to go! 🙂
17 – yes, 17! Debbie, Linda, Wanda, Kitty, Kim,Kathy, Kari,Debbie L., Maggie,,Dawn, Bethanne,Lisa,Fouzia,Kandi,Vickie, Billi, and Jana
Awesome! Well since writing this I’ve been in more weddings I am at 24 now!!