Before you can say “yellow organza chiffon,” you’ve committed to being a bridesmaid and all that the honor entails. But what

if you are expecting to have a big (and getting bigger) event of your own sometime in the next nine

months?

If you’re planning on both a pregnancy and being a bridesmaid in the near future, here are some of the

bumps (pun totally intended) in the road to consider before officially saying yes. 

Accordingly, it’s important to clarify just what kinds of expenses will be expected of you ahead of time. A

few to inquire after:

1. Will you be responsible for your dress, or will the bride pick up the tab? The same goes for

those dyed shoes and your fabulous wedding day up-do and manicure.

2. If travel is involved, how costly will that be? Airfare, cab fare, hotel and eating out should all be

considered.

3. How much (if any) will you be expected to contribute to a shower or bachelorette activities? 

Back on planet earth, bridesmaids dresses can be itchy, lumpy, scratchy, and pinchy (yes, you know

pinchy is a word). But this is not to say that you cannot totally rock the pregnant bridesmaid look as

long as you keep a few things in mind.

1. Comfort and Fit: Ultimately, you want a dress that flatters your figure and that you’ll feel

great wearing. Look for a flowing empire-waisted gown, or a dress that can be ‘enhanced’ with

an extra panel to accommodate that lovely baby bump of yours!

2. Alterations: Make sure you’ve got a good tailor who will be able to make last minute

alterations a little bit in advance of the wedding date. As you know, all of those measurements

are going to change. And then change some more.

3. Support: Speaking of those changing measurements, the right maternity bra can do wonders for a girl’s mood at a wedding, not to

mention her back! Once you reach your third trimester, you will likely need to trade in those

lacy bras and reach for something more substantial. Just don’t forget to make sure that your

maternity bra works with your dress as the date nears. 

However, if your due date is farther afield from the wedding date, then the most important factor

to consider is likely to be travel. While most airlines will allow pregnant women to travel through their eighth

month, you need to consider what your own personal comfort level will be.

Tips for safe air travel while pregnant include walking the aisles on your flight to prevent blood clots,

drinking lots of water, and wearing your seatbelt under your belly rather than across it. Travelling

during pregnancy can be challenging, but if you and your doctor think you are up for it, then you’re a go.

Just one thing though: You know those teeny tiny airplane bathrooms? Need we say more?  

But take a moment to consider what that might mean: stuffing invitations, licking stamps, shopping for

wedding favors, liking her Facebook posts, and talking. Lots and lots of talking. You owe it to yourself

and to your friend to think realistically about what you can handle during your pregnancy. No friend

wants you to overtax yourself while you should be focusing on your health and the health of your baby.

Let her know your concerns and ask in the gentlest way possible what will be expected of you so that

you can both make an educated decision.