Meet the woman who’s walked down the aisle 12 times as a bridesmaid

By Emma Dunn via SWNS

Meet the real-life "27 Dresses - a woman who has been a bridesmaid 12 times and says it is "an honor" to be asked – despite forking out $10k on weddings.

Bridget Herrmann, 40, has walked down the aisle 12 times for friends and family but has yet to be the bride herself - donning an array of dresses in the process.

Bridget said is in "an honor" to be asked and insists she’ll never say no and has a feeling she’ll be a bridesmaid again.

She has spent upwards of $2,000 as a bridesmaid at a wedding – with the cost of a dress, alterations, flights, bridal shower, gifts and hotels stays adding up – but has also as little as $500 on others.

Bridget estimates she has spent $10k being a bridesmaid 12 times for high school friends, her sister and her cousin and college friends.

The radio promoter hasn’t given up hope of being the bride and believes her time will come.

Bridget claims she's even thinking about doing what Katherine Heigl's character, Jane Nicholas, does in the film "27 Dresses" - inviting all the brides she has been a bridesmaid for to her wedding.

Bridget, from Chicago, Ill: “I absolutely love it.

“I’d never tell someone no.

“I love doing it.

“Maybe that’s just in my nature but I feel it is such an honor.

“The idea from 27 Dresses – it comes from someone’s experience.”

Bridget was a bridesmaid for the first time in October 2006 wearing a sage green, strapless satin dress.

She said: “The first time I got asked to be a bridesmaid was pretty exciting.”

For the 11 other weddings Bridget has worn everything from a big gown with a petticoat to a simple short navy dress.

Bridget currently has three of the dresses in her closest – from her most recent weddings – and has donated many of the others for girls who can’t afford a prom dress.

At 5ft 1ins, Bridget said the alterations are often a costly part of being a bridesmaid.

She said: “It’s extremely expensive to have alterations.

“I’ve paid $200 for a dress and alterations have come to $400.”

Bridget used to have a seamstress when she was living in New York who would alter all her dresses.

She said: “I go to her with a dress and she’s say ‘oh Bridget again’.”

Bridget believes she has been a bridesmaid so much due to keeping in touch with her circle of friends at high school, college, as well as meeting others along the way.

She was once a bridesmaid three times in one year but has not taken on the role since May 2022 – when she was a bridesmaid due to being friends with the groom.

But the bachelorette in Las Vegas, Nevada, wedding in Napa, California, and the dress cost Bridget upwards of $1,500 – meaning she put a hold on her plans for a holiday in Italy.

Bridget said: “I went to Vegas with guys. That was fun.

“The wedding was in Napa. The flights, hotels, all kinds of things – it becomes really expensive.”

Bridget thinks the price of a wedding has increased over the last two decades due to the “culture” - where you once paid very little for a dress, bridal shower, and a gift, she says she is now having to cover the cost of destination trips.

She said: “I’ve spent over $2,000.

“But some have also been less than $500.”

Bridget said strangers are often “shocked” to find how many times she has been a bridesmaid but it’s not something she plans to stop doing.

She said: “They think that highly of you, that you played a role in their life to ask you.

“It’s the biggest honor.

“I feel I’m not quite done yet but if I never get asked again, I’d still be happy with that.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience.

“I love being a bridesmaid because I love helping people.

“I don’t want anyone to think she’s done it 12 times and it won’t be special when she’s my bridesmaid.”

Bridget still hopes to find her own groom and have children – and decided to freeze her eggs three years ago.

She said: “I’ve not met the right person.

“I’m a big believer that I’m meant to be a wife and a mother.

“I have faith it will happen to me.

“I love weddings.”

Bridget's 12 weddings she has been a bridesmaid for -

Mary, a high school friend. Bridget wore a strapless sage green dress.

Julia, her sister. She wore a strapless long chocolate brown dress.

Beth, friend from college. Bridget worse a navy dress with green sash.

Tara, friend from high school. Bridget's dress was a long purple satin number.

Rachael, friend from high school. She donned a short black dress.

Susie, childhood friend. Bridget wore a coral pink short strapless dress

Chelsea, friend from high school. She wore a short navy chiffon dress.

Rose, friend from college/ sorority sister. Bridget wore a long green dress with pick up in the skirts with black sash and black gloves.

Julie, friend from high school. Bridget wore a long strapless grey chiffon dress.

Angela, cousin. Bridget's dress was a long burgundy gown with a high neck.

Brooke, friend from church/ living in Chicago. Bridget wore an off the shoulder beige long chiffon dress.

Brady, friend from work/ living in Chicago. Bridget's wore a long black dress with slit and thin straps.