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Citation Information
How to Cite
Manser, Martin H. "always a bridesmaid, never a bride." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 29 June 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=DOP00048>.
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always a bridesmaid, never a bride

Definition 
If you are often asked to be a bridesmaid—traditionally, three or more times—you will never marry yourself; also used more generally as a lament by a young woman who receives many invitations to be bridesmaid but no proposals of marriage: I've been bridesmaid to three of my old schoolfriends—when will it be my turn to get married? Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. The proverb was first recorded in 1882 in E. M. Ingraham's Bond & Free in the form "Always a maiden, never a wife," the word maiden meaning "bridal attendant" in this context.

Variant of this proverb: three times a bridesmaid, never a bride.

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