Jen Glantz, 37, had no idea what she would do for a living after graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2010.
She experimented with copywriting for startups, public relations for Jewish NGOs, and consulting for sororities. By 2014, Glantz noticed a trend in her personal life: She was frequently invited to be a bridesmaid by her friends. She did it well, too.
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Glantz advertised herself as a “bridesmaid for hire” on Craigslist to see whether she might be compensated for her special set of abilities, and within days, she had hundreds of inquiries. Glantz eventually started her own company, Bridesmaid for Hire, where she provides a range of services, from being a bridesmaid to assisting couples in writing their vows.
Calls, messages, and in-person encounters with local clients are all part of Bridesmaid for Hire’s offerings. According to Glantz, she aims to establish a “foundation of friendship” and supports her brides “through the drama and the chaos” that accompany wedding preparation.
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After participating in more than 100 weddings, Glantz claims that the most important lesson she has discovered thus far is that “people are inherently lonely.”
Glantz’s employers are not looking for intimate relationships. “[They] have tons of friends,” adds the speaker. However, it appears that they have no one with whom they feel comfortable being honest.
Even opening out to those closest to us can be challenging, according to Glantz. “We’re scared of how they’re going to react,” she continues. “Or we’re scared that they’re going to remember what we said for years, and the relationship will never be the same.”
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Glantz thus becomes the objective third party and the listening ear her customers require in this frenzy of anticipation, anxiety, and crucial decision-making. “They tell me their deepest and darkest secrets,” she continues.
Her customers have disclosed that they are getting married for financial stability or because they feel like they are running out of time and want children. One individual even said that they had no interest in marriage.
“Jen, I didn’t hire you to be my bridesmaid,” she replied as she sat down. To assist me in ending my engagement, I hired you. Glantz says. “She knew she didn’t want to marry her person, but knew if she told her friends, they’d talk her into it, or if she told her parents, they’d remind her how much money she spent on the wedding.”
Glantz understands how lonely it might be to want someone with whom she can be really honest. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to strangers about really serious, tough things,” she explains. She’s working on it, though.
She suggests asking “what parts of yourself can you open up to different friends about?” to anyone who feels like they don’t have someone they can really talk to in their lives. and to keep in mind that you don’t have to share everything with everyone.
You may also want to think about contacting a professional, such as a therapist, to whom you may confide your deepest secrets and who can assist you in resolving any emotions that may arise.
“It does make a huge difference in your mental health and also [gives] you that safety you need as you go through life,” she claims.
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