Sorry, love, but only the pretty bridesmaids will be on the wedding day, the bride announced, flashing a practiced smile.
Charlotte, you’ve forgotten the milk again! Sophie slammed the fridge door in the office kitchen, sounding like a bell. We agreed yesterday! Third day in a row!
Oh, mate, it completely slipped my mind, Charlotte said, looking guilty. My brain’s on holiday today; I cant think straight!
Did Vicky ring you up again?
Spot on. Shes been at it since dawn: I dont like the dress, Those shoes are horrendous, I need a different photographer. My heads spinning!
Well, thats on you, Sophie poured herself a cup of tea, no milk. Why are you doing all her wedding prep? Let the planner handle it!
Shes my best mate! Weve been together since nursery. How could I say no?
A friend, Sophie snorted. The sort who lets you gallivant like a lunatic while she lounges on the sofa?
Charlotte fell silent. Sophie was right. Vicky had shoved the entire wedding todo list onto her: picking flowers, collecting invitations, meeting the decorator. Twenty years of friendship felt like a contract she couldnt break.
Theyd met at nursery. Vicky was a flamboyant, whitehaired, blueeyed beauty who turned every lads head and every girls envy into friendship. Charlotte, on the other hand, was a plump, quiet girl with ginger braids and freckles, often left out of games.
For some reason Vicky chose Charlotte. One day she walked over and said, Want to be friends? From that moment they were inseparableschool, university, first crushesall together. Vickys love life was a revolving door; Charlotte never quite found a partner.
Charlotte, your phones buzzing, Sophie called out.
Charlotte answered. Of course it was Vicky.
Charlie, where are you? Im in the bridal salon trying on dresses for the bridesmaids. Come straight away; I need your opinion!
Vicky, Im at work. Ive got three hours till lunch.
Then ask for the afternoon off! Its important! The weddings in a week!
Fine, Ill try, Charlotte sighed, begging her boss for a break. He gave a reluctant nod, and she hustled to the salon. Vicky greeted her in a white gown and veil, beaming like a sunrise.
Look at me! she twirled before the mirror. Ian will go off the rails with happiness!
You look lovely, Charlotte said honestly. It was true; Vicky always had that princessinagown glow.
See, Ive picked the bridesmaids dressessoft pink, floorlength. Gorgeous, right?
Absolutely.
Therell be five of them. I figured five looks best in photos.
Who are you inviting?
Tara, Olivia, Katie, Megan and Nora.
Charlotte froze. Five friends, and she wasnt on the list.
Me? she managed to squeak out.
Vicky glanced at her, then looked away.
Charlotte, you understand
Understand what?
Its a photo shoot, love. Everything has to be harmonious. And you
What about me?
Im sorry, but only the pretty bridesmaids will be on the wedding day.
The words hit Charlotte like a brick. Only pretty bridesmaids meant she was not pretty enough.
Are you serious? her voice trembled.
Oh, dont take offence! Its just aesthetics. The pictures will be everywhere on the internet. I want everything perfect!
So Im ruining your flawless photos?
Well you know youre a bit fuller. The dress wont sit as well on you
Twenty years of friendship, Charlotte felt tears gathering. Twenty years Ive been there for you, helped with everything, and now you exclude me because Im not a supermodel?
I never said you werent invited! Of course youll be at the weddingjust not as a bridesmaid.
Right, Charlotte said, grabbing her bag. Very clear.
Dont go! We still have flowers to pick!
But Charlotte was already out of the salon, strolling down the high street, tears streaming. Passersby glanced, but she didnt care. Two decades of camaraderie shattered by the phrase only the pretty bridesmaids.
She collapsed onto her couch at home and sobbed. Her phone buzzed with Vickys relentless calls, but she ignored them. Later, her mum dropped by.
Love, whats wrong? she asked, sitting beside her.
Charlotte poured out the story. Her mum listened, nodding.
Sweetheart, maybe its for the best?
How could it be the best? My best friend just called me ugly!
She didnt say youre ugly. She just showed how shallow she isonly caring about the picture, not the person.
But weve been friends forever!
Think about it. What did she give you in return? A shoulder? A laugh? She was always the one people helped.
Charlotte reflected. Vicky had always been the one who received favours, never gave any. When Charlottes dad passed, Vicky didnt attend the funeral, claiming she was scared of ghosts. When Charlotte lost her job, Vicky never put in a word. When a boyfriend split, Vicky shrugged, Youll find someone else. Yet Charlotte was always there for Vickys breakups, work crises, even letting her crash on Charlottes sofa for weeks.
Ive been a complete fool, Charlotte whispered.
Not a fool, dearkind, and thats a big difference.
The next day Vicky called.
Charlotte, why are you upset? I never meant to hurt you!
You said I wasnt pretty enough for your wedding.
I said it was about aesthetics!
Its the same thing.
Oh, youre so dramatic! Fine, if it matters that much, youll be the sixth bridesmaid.
Sixth?
Yes. Five pretty ones, and youll be the sixthstanding at the back, barely visible.
Charlotte felt the chill creep up her spine.
Vicky, do you hear yourself?
Im trying to compromise! I wanted five, now Ive got six! All for you!
For me? So I can hide?
You know how it is
You know what, Vicky? Im not going to your wedding. Not as a bridesmaid, not as a guest, not at all.
What? Vicky sputtered. Weve been friends for twenty years!
We were. Thats past tense now.
Youd throw away twenty years over this?
Its not rubbish, Vicky. Its about respect. You never respected me. I was just a convenient sidekick.
Thats not true!
It is. I finally see it. I wont be your disposable friend any longer.
Vicky tried to argue, but Charlotte hung up, switched her phone off, and felt an unexpected calm. For the first time in ages shed done what felt right, not what was easy.
At work, Sophie listened and gave her a hug.
Well done! Im proud of you!
Really?
Absolutely! You finally set boundaries. Vickys getting a bit full of herself, isnt she?
Im scared, Sophie. Twenty years what if Im wrong?
Youre not. A real friend would never say what she just did. You deserve better.
A week later, the wedding day arrived. Charlotte stayed home, watching a telly drama, trying not to think about the aisle. Her phone rang. It was Tara, one of the five designated bridesmaids.
Charlotte? Its Tara. Can we talk?
Of course.
Vicky told us you two had a row. She said you wont come.
Yes.
Were all shocked. She said it was about pretty bridesmaids.
It really was? Charlotte sighed.
Olivia almost backed out of being a bridesmaid but was scared. We all thought it was a joke until she said you were being petty.
Petty, Charlotte chuckled bitterly.
Im on your side, love. Vicky handled this terribly. Sorry we didnt stand up sooner.
I get it. Nobody wants to cross her.
After the call, Charlotte realised everyone thought Vicky was in the wrong but were too afraid to say it. Shed taken the hard road, and that was commendable.
That evening Vickys mother, Mrs. Whitaker, called. Charlotte had known her since they were kids.
Charlotte, dear, may I see you?
Of course, Mrs. Whitaker.
They met in a cosy café. Mrs. Whitaker looked uneasy.
Ive heard what happened. Vicky gave me her side, but I sense shes hiding something. Tell me everything.
Charlotte recounted the whole saga. Mrs. Whitakers face grew sorrowful.
Im to blame, she admitted. I raised Vicky to think shes a goddess and that everyone should cater to her. Im sorry. Youve always been such a decent, genuine person. You deserve better.
Thank you.
Im actually glad you didnt go to the wedding. Perhaps this will be a lesson for Vickythat inner beauty matters more than a pictureperfect façade.
Charlotte left the café feeling oddly relieved. Shed made the right choice, and even Vickys mother recognized it.
A month passed. Vicky didnt call, and neither did Charlotte. Life rolled on: work, home, new friendships. Sophie became her gym buddy; they signed up for yoga, started eating healthiernot because anyone thought Charlotte was ugly, but because she wanted to feel good.
One evening a knock sounded at the door. In stood Vicky, makeupfree, in plain clothes, eyes red from crying.
May I come in? she asked softly.
Charlotte let her in. They sat at the kitchen table.
Ian left me, Vicky blurted.
What?
Three weeks after the wedding, the honeymoon was a disaster. We fought nonstop. He told me I wasnt the person I pretended to be, that I was selfish, only caring about appearances. He even said Id lost the best friend because of the photos. He said you were a hundred times more beautiful, because you have a beautiful soul.
Charlotte listened in silence.
Ive ruined everything, Vicky sobbed. Lost my husband, lost my friend. Only now do I realise you were the only one who truly loved me.
Vicky, you hurt me deeply.
I know. Im sorry. I was a fool, obsessed with the picture.
You humiliated me.
I understand if you cant forgive me. I just wanted to say Im truly sorry.
Charlotte looked at the onceconfident, now broken Vicky. A flicker of pity stirred inside.
I cant forgive you right now. It hurts, and I need time.
I get it.
But I wont abandon you. If youre willing to work on yourself, Ill be there.
Really?
Yes, but our friendship will be different. I wont be the doeverything sidekick. Ill expect respect.
I agree, on any terms.
They embraced, tentative and awkward. It wasnt a full forgiveness, just the start of something newperhaps better than before.
Vicky began seeing a therapist, tackling her ego. Charlotte stayed supportive, but as an equal, not a subordinate.
Weeks later Vicky called:
Charlotte, I want to apologise to everyone Ive hurt. Can you help?
Ill help.
Together they visited old acquaintances, apologising to a former classmate Vicky had teased, a colleague shed undermined, a neighbour shed gossipmongered about.
Its odd, Vicky confessed after one visit. I thought I was better than everyone, but I was the worst version of myself.
The important thing is youve realised it.
Thanks to you. If I hadnt walked away, Id still be stuck, pretty on the outside, empty inside.
Youre not ugly, youre just lost. Now youre finding your way back.
A year later Vicky was divorced from Ian but remained his friend. Shed learned that rushing into marriage for a perfect ceremony wasnt wise. Charlotte had shed fifteen pounds, not to look good for anyone, but because she loved herself and wanted health.
One afternoon they met at a café for coffee.
You look radiant, Vicky said.
Thanks, Charlotte smiled. Youre glowing too.
No, really. Your light comes from inside. Thats true beautyno dress, no makeup, no haircut can match it.
Youve changed too. Youre kinder, more genuine.
I learned it from you. When you called me only caring about the picture, I finally saw how I was living like an Instagram feedpretty outside, hollow inside.
And youre fixing it.
Im trying. Thank you for not walking away, even though I deserved it.
They raised their mugs.
To real friendship, Charlotte toasted.
And to true beauty, Vicky added.
The wedding debacle taught both an important lesson. Charlotte learned to value herself and set boundaries. Vicky learned that looks are fleeting; a kind heart endures.
Their friendship nearly fell apart but emerged stronger, built on respect, not habit.
Later Vicky met a modest, kind-hearted engineernot a runway model, just a bloke with warm eyes.
Id have ignored someone like him before, she admitted to Charlotte. I chased glamour and status. Now I see its the soul that counts.
Im happy for you, Charlotte replied.
And you? Any suitors?
Not yet. Im fine on my own now, happy with myself.
Thats the real strengthbeing content solo.
They were no longer the naive schoolgirls. Life had tempered them, but their bond endured, wiser and honest.
When Vicky eventually planned another wedding, she came to Charlotte.
Charlotte, will you be my maid of honour? Not one of the five pretty ones, but the only one that matters.
Really?
Yes. Youre my true friend, and I dont care how it looks in photos. I just want you by my side.
Charlotte hugged her, and the old humiliation faded into history. Both had grown, become better, kinder.
On that wedding day Charlotte stood beside Vicky, not hidden at the back, but right there in a lovely dress with a bouquet. When Vicky exchanged vows, Charlotte was there, shouldertoshoulder, exactly where a true friend belongs.
The photographs turned out gorgeousnot because everyone was a supermodel, but because they were genuinely happy, alive, and together.
And that, dear reader, is why the best weddings celebrate people, not pictures.
