No, I Won't Be Your Bridesmaid

No, I Won't Be Your Bridesmaid

From Modern Love by Ajai Vindication

April 22, 2026 · 52 min · Episode 442

About this episode

Ruhama Wolle discusses her decision to stop being a bridesmaid and shares insights from her book on navigating the role with authenticity and boundaries.

Ruhama Wolle loves weddings, but after being a bridesmaid three times in a little more than a year, she reached a breaking point. The financial and emotional burden was too much, and in an article for Glamour magazine, she publicly resigned from ever being a bridesmaid again. Now, Wolle has written “I Hope You Elope: A Bridesmaid Survival Guid e,” with practical tips on how to navigate the ask with authenticity, honesty and boundaries. In this episode of “Modern Love,” Wolle tells host Anna Martin about the bridesmaid dynamics that made her call it quits. Plus, she gives advice and scripts for those looking to approach the role in a new way. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher . For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

People in this episode

Host: Anna Martin

Guest: Ruhama Wolle

Topics covered

  • bridesmaid dynamics
  • wedding culture
  • personal boundaries
  • emotional burden
  • authenticity

Keywords

  • bridesmaid
  • weddings
  • emotional burden
  • authenticity
  • boundaries
  • Glamour
  • I Hope You Elope

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Glamour, The New York Times, Simplecast, AdsWizz

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