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True story, blunt TK advice should have saved me

I wanted to share this story because I was reading a thread about how sometimes posters on TK can be "mean."

A few years ago I was a BM for a good friend of mine.  She decided her main color was going to be leopard print.  She found a dress online that was a body hugging stretchy wrinkle proof one-size-fits-all monstrosity.  It was floor length.  She said all BMs were skinny and could pull it off.  I didn't want to be caught dead in this dress.  MOH's husband saw it and said "Peggy Bundy called, she wants her dress back."  I would have been so embarrassed to wear that thing.  And in a church!  However, I was prepared to suck it up (and in) and wear it because I wanted to be a supportive friend.  So while I tactfully didn't say positive things about the dress I also didn't say no to it.  There are things a BM and a friend will not say to the bride's face.  The talk behind her back however was spreading quickly.

She told me that she posted the dress on TK and got nasty feedback.  I wish she would have realized that these comments were what all of bride's BMs and friends were actually thinking.  She chose to ignore the advice from TK and go forward with the dress.  It would have been great if she would have listened and let TK save us all at this point.

Thankfully the quiet, laid back groom put his foot down and said absolutely not to the leopard print dress.  He told her he felt strongly about it and she agreed to not do it.  We ended up in black gowns with a leopard print sash that she made.  She only used leopard as cute accents here and there in her decor and it looked good.  The wedding was very well hosted.  And I think she listened to some advice here because BM gifts were all personal and like it was our birthday.  She did give us jewelry to wear but told us it was not our present.

Moral of the story, you will hear some "mean" advice on here but if you are doing something that is a not a good idea people that are your friends will actually be saying the same mean things behind your back.

Re: True story, blunt TK advice should have saved me

  • csuave, because it is true that your friends will not tell you things to your face. But they sure are saying things behind your back. 
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  • csuavecsuave member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited January 2014

    @pinkcow13 I agree, I find TK advice to be blunt.  Others may consider that "mean" and I put it in quotes because I think that is a perception.  In my story the things that were being said behind bride's back were actually mean....probably much worse than any blunt advice she got from TK. 

     

  • pinkcow13 said:
    I think some people are just too sensitivecsuave, because it is true that your friends will not tell you things to your face. But they sure are saying things behind your back. 
    This.  I don't understand why people ask for opinions if they are already set on doing something.  If you're going do your terrible idea anyways, then why ask about it???  I understand that the answer is probably because people just want validation and to hear that their ideas are "cute" "fun" or "awesome" but if you're going to post on a internet forum, don't be surprised or hurt when people tell you what they actually think.
    Don't worry guys, I have the Wedding Police AND the Whambulance on speed dial!
  • I definitely agree with this! I made my first discussion yesterday about invitations and got some great and honest advice.

    Even though I'm personally bothered by something doesn't mean other people won't be, and in my situation it just means taking 5 more minutes on FB to find people's SO's names.

    These forums are great sounding boards, and I love knowing people will be happier about my wedding because of the advice I've gotten :)

    (I sound like I'm spewing rainbows...but seriously, it's fucking awesome.)
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  • I'll openly say even on NWR things, TK advice has been good. Occasionally I do need a reminder to pull my head out of my ass and move on with my life. Quick example: this summer I was having issues with my brother's GF learning how to knit (yes I recognize how petty this is, even did so at the time), and some very kind posters on NEY were nice enough to tell me to get over it. I took their advice, went a step beyond it and got to know the girl better, and damned if she hasn't grown on me. It might be silly, but it did help my relationship with her and with my brother.
  • Omg. I can't imagine having to wear a dress like that. Thank god the groom stepped in. 

    I think a lot of people don't understand the difference between direct/blunt and mean/rude. And a lot of people here need to put their big girl panties on. 
  • Yup, some people just want validation about their ideas, and when they don't receive it get all pissy and say everyone is being "mean" to them. I must say I am really grateful at the advice that I have been given, and advice that I have seen that I know I will need. Like I said, if there are any weddings in our family, they do not employ proper etiquette. I think the only wedding that showed etiquette throughout was my Uncle's 3rd wedding - which I would hope after the 3rd time! I want to host a proper wedding for our family and friends, and thanks to what I see here on TK, I think we are on track to doing just that. 
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  • OMG leopard-print BM dresses?! NO. NO. NO. 



  • I wore that dress to my sorority formal freshman year - just to tick off the prissy older girls - true story!
    bawahahaha
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

  • It still blows my mind that people go onto the etiquette board and ask questions that are the "hot topics" and then are shocked at the response that they get.  Shocked? Really? Did you not even look down the page to see if someone had asked something similar to gauge the response?  And, if you just straight up don't care if you're being etiquette appropriate, why  bother posting?

    When I got engaged my sister said, "check out the Knot forums- as long as you're not an asshole and planning on paying for your wedding, and not putting that burden on your guests; you're good."
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  • Yeah, it seems like some new posters just don't read anything before they ask their question.  I mean-- didn't you see the stickies at the top about PPDs and cash bar?  And there is always a thread somewhere on the first page about asking for money "instead of" gifts.  

    I think a big part of it really is that lots of brides think they are *special* and that their *reasons* are good enough for being a poor host.  They really think they'll get validation or a get out of jail free card, so the post anyway.  They don't really want advice because they've already decided what to do.
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    "I'm not a rude bitch.  I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."

  • Yeah, it seems like some new posters just don't read anything before they ask their question.  I mean-- didn't you see the stickies at the top about PPDs and cash bar?  And there is always a thread somewhere on the first page about asking for money "instead of" gifts.  

    I think a big part of it really is that lots of brides think they are *special* and that their *reasons* are good enough for being a poor host.  They really think they'll get validation or a get out of jail free card, so the post anyway.  They don't really want advice because they've already decided what to do.

    *Stuck in the box*

    I hate this!  Is cash a great gift? Yes, we know.  I'm in the camp of giving physical gifts, as much as I would like to shower my friends and family with cash and checks- just about everyone makes 2-5 times as much as I do, so I would rather spend my $50-$75 gift budget on something that I think the couple would enjoy rather than just giving them a check. 

    I will say, that if someone wasn't registered at all, I would probably just give them a check- because I can take the hint.  If you're registered for a honeyfund/ having money put into a bank account/ asking for cash, fuck you- you're getting a punch bowl off of Amazon (if you're lucky).
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  • LMFAO a punch bowl off of Amazon. My friend is dead set on doing a honeyfund, I think I'll try to have her take a look at these boards....
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  • I am a firm believer that leopard print is a neutral. And I probably wear it a bit to frequently. But for a BM dress, in a church, Hell NO.

    Post a link of the dress?!?!

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  • pinkcow13 said:
    LMFAO a punch bowl off of Amazon. My friend is dead set on doing a honeyfund, I think I'll try to have her take a look at these boards....
    I bet she and her FH would love this!  Can you say "couple's activity"?!?!

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  • LMAO I almost spit up my water because they have a cat!!!! 
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  • Blunt TK advice saved me. Thankfully it was someone else's post that I lurked on. I had never had any recent weddings in my social circle when I started planning, so didn't know what proper etiquette was on a lot of WR topics.

    Someone asked how to go about asking their in-laws what they would be contributing to the wedding. I had also planned to do this, as many of the money hungry wedding industry bride magazines advised me to do. When I seen all the "You Don't"s and all the "OH HELL NAW"s, I reconsidered. Now we're just paying for the whole shebang ourselves.

    Thanks, TK.

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  • I had only been lurking for a short while before posting a discussion and seeking input. Initially, I was shocked by how "mean" everyone was. Soon after, I realized TK users are the "friends" who will always be honest. They'll tell you if the dress really does make you look fat, or if you really are being a bridezilla, etc. And I appreciate that!

    I'm in the midst of planning our wedding this October, and I have learned so much from the honest feedback! I do feel like some people are unnecessarily harsh in some instances, but for the most part feedback is constructive and honest. 
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  • csuave said:

     

    My bad, mine had spaghetti stapes and a slight train - ya know sorta like a tail >^"^< grrrrr!
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

  • pinkcow13 said:
    LMFAO a punch bowl off of Amazon. My friend is dead set on doing a honeyfund, I think I'll try to have her take a look at these boards....
    I bet she and her FH would love this!  Can you say "couple's activity"?!?!

    @hikebikebemerry OMG. I saw this book on the shelf at my FSIL's house!!! Not even joking! I think my eyes bugged out of my head and I kept poking FI so he could share in my horror.


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  •  

    pinkcow13 said:
    LMFAO a punch bowl off of Amazon. My friend is dead set on doing a honeyfund, I think I'll try to have her take a look at these boards....
     
    Stuck in box...
     
    My brother and SIL did honeyfund. The plan was/is to go to Paris and live like locals for a week. (they have yet to go, allegedly wanting to wait till tourists were gone, and then SIL is loaded with work, I think they just didn't get enough money from honeyfund, HAH). I side eyed, but said nothing. My revenge was for FI and I to order them 100 Euros in small denominations (you always need cab fare, or that coffee) and put a message in the card in French using google translate wishing them the best and to enjoy their trip.
  • I'm really thankful for the "mean, bullying, rude" comments. Because of those, I realized it was inappropriate to have dress attire listed anywhere, how awful getting my BMs matching robes would be and several ways to ensure that the people I care about the most (i.e. my wedding guests) are properly hosted. So thanks for being a bunch of meanies!

  • I think people are way too liberal when they call things "Mean" or "Bullying."  The way I see it, I can hate all of your wedding ideas, and disagree with every single thing you post on here, but that DOES NOT mean, in any way shape or form, that I hate you as a person.  I could love the crap out of your attitude and personality and still think your ideas are horrible and tacky.  

    I do not consider something mean or bullying unless it is targeted at YOU as a person.  If I call your dress ugly, for instance, oh well, that's my opinion, and there's no need to take offense because I only insulted an inanimate object.  If I call you ugly, then yes, feel free to call me a bully because then it would be true.  I feel like people need to really start understanding the difference between insulting an object or idea and insulting a person.  Ideas and objects don't get hurt feelings when they're insulted, so neither should we.

    I personally enjoy TK community a lot.  I like that the users here are very honest, and very blunt with their opinions, but IMO they aren't mean- I've noticed that when two users are disagreeing on a topic, unless one is a troll who soon gets deleted, the argument never gets personal.  It's always "Your idea is bad, your behavior is tacky," never "You as a person are bad, you as a person suck," etc. and there certainly isn't any name calling (Except for a few trolls and newbies)  Frankly if you think TK is too mean, go disagree with some pins on Pinterest.  You'll be called a bitch (Or worse) in no time.  
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  • dramamonkeydramamonkey member
    250 Love Its Third Anniversary 100 Comments First Answer
    edited January 2014
    And honestly... if you are planning on doing something that is downright against etiquette, stop trying to defend your choices. THERE ARE NO SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS. If you are going to do something wrong, know what people might say about it, be prepared for backlash, but at the end of the day, if you have your heart set on doing something "wrong" - chances are you'll do it anyway. Just be prepared. 

     This board has certainly changed my opinions on some wedding related things. 

    I know I did something that is against etiquette (DH and I had a honeymoon registry). I saw what people said about them, and read through responses. I didn't come on here trying to defend my choices. I decided to do one anyway. And in the end, I wish I hadn't done one (the people who gave $ that way, would have likely given money to us directly anyway). 

    BUT it was my decision and I own it. 

    ETA: Even if I am a touch embarrassed in hindsight. 
  • Let's be real - no one you are friends with is going to be absolutely 110% brutally honest with you about your wedding (of all things) despite how much you really truly believe that person will. So, you come to the knot and get all that advice without any damaged friendships. I don't believe that any person on here is ever trying to be truly hurtful or mean. Most of us come here seeking advice - it's given without the sugarcoating. I, for one, would rather get the honest answers now rather than get the side-eyes at/after my wedding. And if you don't want to hear it, don't ask about it! I think many people get their feathers ruffled because they come here asking a question but don't really want to hear the answers, they just want their bad taste, bad etiquette, whatever, to be validated. I'm sure there are other boards that offer such services, but it isn't here! And I think most of us are thankful for that :)
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