I decided to dedicate this entry to the people I’ve often been guilty of neglecting in weddings – the bridesmaids and the maid of honour.

The bride and groom are the star of their wedding. And the maid of honour plays the unbelievable back-seat role of the coordinator, gate crash punishment planner and executor, makeup artist (when touch up is needed); and more often than not, offer the very presence which can assure and calm the bride emotionally and different high points of the day.

They arrange the bride’s gown, manage their train when moving from point to point, wear their shoes, handle the logistics, remember the items to bring to the church or banquet venue… the list goes on. Like the typical guy, I didn’t dwell a lot on the significance of the maid of honour.

I didn’t really take note of those stuff much before, then it happened.

I noticed how these amazing sisters wake up early to make their way to the bride’s place and start preparing for the gatecrashing; hurriedly making sure they look presentable enough before going on to devise games for the groom’s party. I noticed how they quietly (well ‘quiet’ wasn’t the exact word I’m looking for hmm…) in their unobstrusive manner carried out their roles in a matter of fact way. I noticed how they celebrate their own joy and happiness for their very best friend’s most important day on their own, while their best friend had to entertain hundreds of guests. I noticed how they hold back their tears of happiness during speeches, and step up to the stage after the speech to help the bride get down the stage more easily. I noticed the hugs the bride and the bridesmaids quietly share outside the banquet hall when no-one’s looking.

The power of friendship amongst them is so powerful, and yet gentle. Subtle and yet enduring. While us guys share a very different kind of friendship, I can’t help but smile whenever I see such beauty during weddings.

I am so blessed to be in this line.