When you've been a bridesmaid more times than you can count and consider yourself an expert, why not offer your prowess for money?
That was certainly New York-based writer Jen Glantz's thinking when she posted an ad for a professional bridesmaid on Craigslist in June 2014.
Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, Glantz -- who had been in four weddings that year -- decided to offer her services to brides-to-be, because sometimes "you don't have any other girlfriends except your third cousin, twice removed, who is often found sticking her tongue down an empty bottle of red wine" or "you need someone to take control and make sure bridesmaid #4 buys her dress on time and doesn't show up three hours late the day of the wedding or paint her nails lime green."
Brides (and media outlets) went crazy over Glantz's ad, and she got hundreds of responses from brides all over the world. She sifted through them, took her pick and started her adventure as a professional bridesmaid.
Jen Glantz, far right, posted an ad offering her "professional bridesmaid" services in June 2014. She now has her own business.
Fast forward 10 months, Glantz, now 27, has worked with half a dozen brides to help make their day as special and stress-free as possible. She also took her services off Craigslist and launched an official "Bridesmaid For Hire" business with her brother, Jason Glantz.
She bills herself as "the gal pal you never knew you needed," providing not only an extra bridesmaid but personal assistant-like services.
"I'm working with over 30 brides between now and next year," Glantz told The Huffington Post. "I work with my brides in three different ways, via three different packages: virtually, behind the scenes at their wedding, or up at the altar with them on their wedding day."
Packages range from $300 to $2,000. Glantz says she gets more applications for her services than she can take on; she's now looking to hire more professional bridesmaids for her business.
"So far we've had close to 2,000 women apply to work for us as professional bridesmaids," she said. "We get a handful of new applications every day. I personally read through each one."
Glantz, second from right, has 30 brides lined up between now and next year.
Although it's a business, Glantz said she can't help forming a bond with the girls she works with.
"It's hard not to. I work with brides anywhere from 18 months to three months before their wedding, so when it's over, we've truly built a relationship," she said. "After the wedding we catch up and chat a couple of times a month. I love that about this business.”
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