How do you ask someone to do a reading?

[Mez_85]

Hi girls,

This might seems weird, but I have one of my best friends coming over on saturday and I think that she might be expecting to be a part of the bridal party... It isn't that I don't want her as part of my wedding but with my two sisters and my other friend already in the party, having four bridesmaids would be too many, especially as FH has only asked one of his friends so far!

I would love for her to do a reading or be involved in someway, but how do I ask her without hurting her feelings?

It might seem silly, but she has said to me before that I am pretty much her only friend, and I feel guilty for not asking her to be a part of the bridal party...

Sorry for the long post...

[ozwiccagal]

i don't think you should feel guilty - maybe say something like i would like for you to contribute to our special day by doing a reading at the ceremony for us - it would mean a lot to me as ......

[Lacey Lou]

I think being as gentle as possible. It sucks that people just assume they are going to be apart of a wedding party, but if she is a true friend she will understand and would love to do it for you!

[Nomes]

I wouldn't feel bad, you can only have so many people. I think my sister in law had ideas she might be a bridesmaid because my two sisters were. I didn't feel bad because she hadn't included my hubby in her wedding party.
But I did ask her to do a reading and hekp out by putting up pew bows and handing out fans, bubbles and order of service booklets as I wanted her to be an important part of our day. She aslo did the toast to absent family and friends, and the family speech on behalf of her Dad who had passed away. There are a number of things that you could ask her to do. Do it gently and make her feel extremely important.

[Lilyaust]

I'm with oz don't feel guilty. She'll feel special just by doing a reading just explain to her that you want to keep the wedding party down due to finances blah blah but i think it would be an honour to be asked to do a reading.

[chessa]

Its a honour to be asked to do a reading. She'll probably be more stoked about that and forget about the bridesmaid thing.
Chessa xx

[Mez_85]

Thanks for all your advice girls!

I saw her on the weekend and asked her.... What happened next just floored me! She said that she didn't want to do anything like that and if I had of asked her to be a bridesmaid she would have refused that as well!!

I had honestly thought that she wanted to, but I guess I was wrong

[Lilyaust]

She acutally said no?? how does that make you feel. I would have thought she'd be honoured unless she's really scared of public speaking.

[Lacey Lou]

Wow! That's a bit of a shock! At least you got it over with, but wow I can't believe she wouldn't want to be apart of your special day.

[Mez_85]

She acutally said no?? how does that make you feel. I would have thought she'd be honoured unless she's really scared of public speaking.

I was a little upset because she never used to mind public speaking, but then Jazz suggested that it would be better having someone up there that wants to do it, rather than feels like they HAVE too...

Wow! That's a bit of a shock! At least you got it over with, but wow I can't believe she wouldn't want to be apart of your special day.

I couldn't believe it either, but at least she has said that she is definitely coming, even though it is over 18 months away!