A bridesmaid who, upon learning that she's in the running for the position of Maid of Honour, begins to schmooze to tip the odds in her favour. This could include flattery, doing favours, buying gifts and other general ass-kissing.
Alvin: "What's with Mary? She never has time for me anymore"
Toni: "That's because she's too busy being Kate's bribesmaid"
Alvin: "Oh man, not again"
When one of your friends appears to be doing something really nice for you (such as asking you to be in her wedding) but in all reality is royally screwing you. (By subjecting you to months of listening to bridezilla talk, forcing you to pay hundreds for a dress you'll never wear in your life... etc) The word can apply to any situation NOT limited to weddings.
"Wasn't that sweet of Jessica to ask Marianne to go to the beach?"
"Not really. You know she just wanted her to go so that Jessica would look skinny compared to Marianne who's gained a few pounds."
bridesmaid
noun
1.
a girl or woman, usually one of several, who accompanies a bride on her wedding day."her sister asked her to be chief bridesmaid"
2.
informal a person who never attains a desire or goal.
Rickie Fowler, (2014 Golf season).
"Rickie is having a good season, but seems a long way away from a major whilst being a bridesmaid to Rory wee-mac"
"I have been friends with her for 5 years."
"Well I have been friends with her for 6 years and dated her husband in HS."
"I have been friends with her for 20 years, my kids know her kids, and our husbands go to the pub together every weekend. "