Bridesmaid/best friend possibly backing out

Avoid thinking of your best friend as bailing on you. She seems just not able to nicely deal with the pressures currently upon her.

First point is that you can do a ceremony without a bridesmaid. Maybe another option is seeing if your best friend can still come if someone sponsors her. And see if she is happy with just attending or whether she wants to be a bridesmaid.

You could rent a bridesmaid. Yes that exists but probably is not really necessary.

The other option is that you can possibly note to this newer friend that you lost a bridesmaid but would think it sweet that she is up there along with her husband. It seems like you said the husband would be your fiancé's groomsman. Your situation does not seem severe as when several friends think they all should be the maid of honor.

If it turns out your best friend can make it on late notice, then have two bridesmaids. Try to recognize this as a simple and natural situation common to life. And maybe some others will chime in with better advice

Indeed. That is the general concern and may still apply here. I was thinking your request could be seen as the start of greater couples friendship, especially if they are close to where you will be living.

One thing is unclear. Do you several bridesmaids already? You do not have to have the same number of bridesmaids as groomsmen.

There may be others who can comment with better insights. The responses may be slow over this weekend though.