Just when you thought being a bridesmaid couldn't get any more thankless, a survey of 1000 women (by You & Your Wedding) showed that 20% of the respondents wanted their bridesmaids to sign a contract for bridesmaid duties. A bridesmaid pre-nup.

Now, we are not anti-bride, but having a signed contract just takes any fun, that may have been involved in bridesmaids-ness, out of the equation (I have similar feelings about an actual pre-nuptial agreement, but that is another blog post).

The bridesmaid pre-nup includes stipulations that the bridesmaid will not make any "radical changes" to her appearance. You know, "radical changes" like becoming pregnant. If there was ever a time to shriek "OMG!", this would be it.

The bridesmaids are really in it:

For better or worse (except not better, because they had to sign a contract)...

For richer or poorer (except not richer, after all the expenses like shower gifts and the required dress and shoes)...

In sickness and in health (except not "in health" - the bride is clearly sick, and you are in big trouble if you gain weight or cut your hair)...

Nearly half of the brides surveyed said they would "axe" any attendant that violated the terms of their deal.

"So, I know we've been best friends since 1st grade...and I know you have held my hair when I was puking after too many Goldschlager shots...and I know that we pinky swore that we'd be best friends forever...but that new haircut will not be long enough to put into a French twist like all the other bridesmaids, so if you could just sit this one out...that'd be great, thaaaaaanks."

It's official. These weddings have completed the metamorphosis into Three Ring Circuses, and the meaning of the ceremony has been completely buried under 10 tons of crepe de chine and cabbage roses, and ivory parchment paper bearing the calligraphic script "Bridesmaid Pre-Nup Agreement" at the top of the perfectly curled page.

I'm getting married in VEGAS! Who's with me?