Is Bridesmaid for Hire Legit? Everything You Need to Know
While most people consider the catchphrase, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” a bad thing, some women are turning this sidekick status into a lucrative side hustle. The job title of professional bridesmaid all started after a chronic bridesmaid decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.
In June 2014, New York native Jen Glantz posted her services as a hired bridesmaid on Craigslist. What started as a joke turned out to be no laughing matter. Glantz posted the ad at night and awoke the next morning to hundreds of inquiries from desperate brides looking for someone just like her! Today, Glantz runs a wildly successful bridesmaid-for-hire website where she attracts clients, plans weddings, and educates wanna-be professional bridesmaids. But is Bridesmaid for Hire legit as a website and a profession?
Keep reading to find out!
About the Bridesmaid for Hire Website
Bridesmaid for Hire is a website designed and run by Glantz. Following the success of her Craigslist ad, Glantz launched her professional website, built a team of wedding experts, and began servicing brides in need. What started as a bridesmaid-for-hire website has expanded into much more.
Glantz offers a wide range of services, from speech and vow writing to wedding planning, behind-the-scenes help, and full professional bridesmaid services. Glantz even offers a course for ambitious bridesmaids looking for a start. Fans can also purchase books, board games, and more from the website.
Is Bridesmaid for Hire Legit?
Yes. Glantz’s website, Bridesmaid for Hire, is legit. The borrowed bestie that paved the way for all professional bridesmaids to come runs a successful business and has expanded her empire to include training programs, podcasts, tutorials, and more. Remember, though, that these services don’t come without a cost. And with Glantz’s popularity, that cost is pretty high.
Not only is the professional bridesmaid booked months in advance, but brides need to pay a pretty penny to secure her expertise. Her bridesmaid training course also has limited spots, so there may be some delay in securing your place and starting your own business. Most clients report a fairly quick response from Glantz and her team, but others have waited weeks just for a callback. And as every bride knows, weeks can feel like an eternity when planning your wedding. Some brides don’t have time to waste or the patience to wait that long.
These are just a few downsides to using a website like Bridesmaid for Hire, which is wildly popular and overloaded with inquiries.
Is Being a Bridesmaid for Hire a Legit Way to Make Money?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a side hustle that’s not only lucrative but fun, becoming a bridesmaid for hire is a legit option. But before you run out and buy a dress or unearth the half-a-dozen dresses you wore as a bridesmaid for friends, cousins, and coworkers, you should know a few things.
Here are tips and tricks to remember when trying to make money as a professional bridesmaid and generate a legit source of income.
Price Your Services Fairly
As of this writing, Glantz’s bridesmaid packages start at an astounding $3,800! She claimed to have made $10,000 on a single event in one interview. These prices are NOT standard. Glantz can charge thousands of dollars due to her immense popularity, years of experience, and celebrity status.
As a newcomer, you’ll need to scale your prices back significantly and be reasonable with your rates. For example, beginner bridesmaids may charge between $50 and $100 per hour. These prices usually cover attending the wedding ceremony, posing for pictures, and attending the reception. Remember, you also get free food, drinks, and a glam session, so consider these add-ons as part of your compensation.
You can charge more if you plan to offer additional services and more hands-on help for the big day, like planning the bridal shower or bachelorette party, choosing the bride’s dress, taste-testing the food, or writing speeches or vows. You can also charge more if the bride wants you to attend these pre-ceremony events. Destination weddings will also cost more. Brides often carry the burden of travel expenses, accommodations, and other costs.
When pricing your professional bridesmaid’s services, it’s important to be reasonable and fair. Don’t overprice yourself so much that you can’t land jobs, but avoid lowering your fees to the point that it’s costing you money to be a bridesmaid.
Know What Perks You’re Entitled To
Not only is being a bridesmaid for hire legit, but it’s also a side hustle with plenty of other perks and benefits. From free food and drink to the ability to meet new people and travel to new places, professional bridesmaids often feel as if they’re getting paid to have fun.
Not all jobs will be the same, though. Some brides will be more demanding, while others will be more laid back. Some will offer to extend you all the same bridal party benefits, while others may consider you hired help. Discuss these perks and pricing before you commit to anything. If you and the bride don’t mesh or feel she has unrealistic expectations with minimal compensation, you may want to respectfully decline and move on to the next potential bride-to-be.
Some potential perks of being a professional bridesmaid include:
- Covered travel expenses
- Free glam session (hair and makeup)
- Free dress
- Free meals
- Free attendance at pre-wedding events
- Gifts from the bride for the bridal party
- Gifts from the wedding venue or hotel
- The ability to bring a plus one to the wedding
These benefits are subject to change based on the bride’s specifications and budget. Never assume a perk is included, and communicate openly about your fees and your and the couple’s expectations.
Consider the Overhead Expenses
Being a bridesmaid for hire is legit, but it can also be legitimately costly, depending on the bride, the size of the wedding, the location, and more. Not all expenses are covered by the bride-to-be. As any real bridesmaid will tell you, this “honor” can get quite costly. For example, traditional bridesmaids are responsible for buying their dresses and accessories, helping pay for the bridal and bachelorette parties, and are often asked to foot the bill for travel expenses. And let’s not forget about a gift for the betrothed couple.
Although being a professional bridesmaid is slightly different, there are still potential overhead fees. If the bride isn’t willing to pay for the following expenses, you may need to.
- Your dress, shoes, and accessories
- Hair and makeup for the ceremony
- Travel expenses
- Hotel accommodations
Discuss these parameters before accepting a position, and ensure that the jobs you accept make financial sense.
Do Your Research
Working as a professional bridesmaid online does come with some level of risk. As with any online freelance job, you need to research your clients and create clear contracts and boundaries. The internet and social media are filled with scammers and dishonest people looking to get something for nothing. It’s your job to protect yourself against these wrongdoers and set clear expectations from the start.
A few tips for keeping safe include:
- Collecting payment upfront
- Only accepting payments from a trusted source
- Having a clear contract
- Meeting and interviewing with the bride-to-be before entering into an agreement
- Purchasing items that can be returned
- Keeping detailed records of all expenses
As with any independent endeavor, you must proceed cautiously and always trust your gut when accepting job offers from a bride or couple.
Understand the Level of Responsibility
Being a professional bridesmaid is a legit way to make extra money, but it also comes with a certain level of responsibility. You’ll get to eat good food, drink, and dance the night away, but that’s only a fraction of your duties. At the most basic level, bridesmaids are tasked with planning pre-wedding events, offering the bride emotional support, and being at the bride’s beck and call from start to finish on her wedding day.
Some brides need additional support, too. This may include writing her vows and speeches, choosing her dress, helping find vendors, and even creating a cover story. If your client doesn’t want anyone else to know that you’re part of the hired help, you may need to come up with a back story of how you see the bride, how you met, and why you’re there. Most professional bridesmaids are also tasked with many of the same responsibilities as a wedding planner. Be prepared to help choose and arrange flowers and centerpieces, write the guest list, create the seating chart, plan pre-wedding festivities, and beyond.
Decide How Involved You Want to Be
Do all of these responsibilities above sound overwhelming? We get it! This is why you must decide how involved you want to be as a professional bridesmaid. You can offer as many or as few services as you wish. The more you do, the more you get paid. Being a hired bridesmaid is a legit way to make money, as long as you’re clear about your involvement, are prepared to do the work, and set reasonable prices.
You can charge by the hour for limited involvement, by the event, or by the service. See what other borrowed bridesmaids are charging and go from there. Never agree to services or responsibilities that you’re not experienced in or willing to provide. A bride’s wedding day is one of the most important days of her life. She wants everything to be perfect, and she’s paying you to make her dreams a reality. Failing to follow through on your promises or delivering low-quality services could result in a refusal to pay and a tarnished reputation.
Remember, You’re a Professional
Yes, being a bridesmaid for hire is legit, and that’s why you need to treat this as a profession and not an excuse to party. Hired bridesmaids are paid just like any other wedding vendor or contractor. You and the bride (or couple) will agree on a fee for your services, a payment schedule, and expectations. You may even sign a contract that outlines your policies and procedures, cancelation policies, and other important information.
This isn’t a scene out of Wedding Crashers. It’s a legitimate business that could become a lucrative career if approached professionally. Some dos and don’ts of becoming a legitimate and respected bridesmaid for hire include:
- Avoid drinking alcohol or drinking TOO much (discuss this with the bride in advance)
- No flirting or becoming overly friendly with the groomsman or other guests
- Stick to the cover story you created with the bride (if applicable)
- Arrive on time (or early) for the day’s events
- Respond to the bride’s phone calls and inquiries in a timely fashion
- Leave your phone behind or out of view
- Give the bride your undivided attention
- Create reasonable boundaries when handling unconventional requests from the bride
- Carry yourself with pose and dignity throughout the night
Become a Legit Bridesmaid for Hire at FindMyBridesmaid
Is bridesmaid for hire a legit job? Although it may seem too good to be true, the answer is yes! Hundreds of experienced bridesmaids are putting their skills and knowledge to the test by becoming hired professionals. From walking down the aisle and posing for pictures to helping the bride from start to finish, being a bridesmaid for hire is a lucrative side hustle for wedding lovers everywhere.
The fastest way to grow your professional bridesmaid business is to join FindMyBridesmaid.com. This website takes the guesswork out of finding jobs, promoting yourself, and expanding your portfolio. In a few minutes, you can create an account and browse bridesmaid positions that pique your interest and meet your financial needs. Click here to register!
