Wedding Etiquette Forum

bowing out gracefully...long

Back story: I have a good friend who is getting married in April of 2013. This time last year, she asked me to be a bridesmaid. I accepted without hesitation. I had no idea what I was getting into. Over the past few weeks, I have been receiving emails from both the bride and her maid of honor stating what I am obligated to pay for in order to be a part of the wedding. Obviously I know I am expected to pay for my dress, and I had planned all along to help pay for the shower and bachelorette party. Now the MOH is telling us that each bridesmaid must pay 300 each.....per party, minimum. My friend then sent out an email telling us to give money to MOH for the shower and that doing that was more important than putting the deposit down on our dresses. I don't feel comfortable giving someone money without knowing what it is paying for or how much more I will be asked for. At this point, I am unsure if I can even afford all of these things, and MOH did not ask any of us what we can afford. She just got together with the girl she is closest with, they made grand plans, and now they are asking all of us to pay for it. The bride has stated in every email that she will not be upset if we must step down as bridesmaids because we cannot afford it. She said that she and her FI will miss us if we aren't able to stand up with them, but they will understand................................................................Now, to my question...If I decide to step down, what is the best way to go about it? Even though she says she will understand, I feel that it may hurt our friendship. That is the last thing I want. You ladies usually give good advice, so I thought it couldn't hurt to get your opinions. Thanks!
Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
«1

Re: bowing out gracefully...long

  • How many bridesmaids is my question. $300 seems absurd. How many of you are being asked to give this much money? How many parties are they expecting?

    Maybe you could tell them you don't feel comfortable giving cash (and certainly not that much of it), but perhaps they could give you an itemized list of what is needed for each party and you could be responsible for that (if you feel comfortable). I'm thinking like 3 bottles of wine or cupcakes or something much more manageable. 

    WTF are they doing with $300 from each bridesmaid PER PARTY? Are they having multiple weddings?
    Wedding Countdown Ticker whatshouldwecallweddings.tumblr.com
  • Wow, she sounds like the bride who wrote that horrible letter of execations to her BM.

    I would just be honest and say that at this time you cannot afford the amount of money needed to be in her wedding.







    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bowing-out-gracefullylong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:38a9fe40-2eab-4a48-8fc0-66a10290f621Post:d4429054-e13f-48a4-bf78-1aad93d328f2">bowing out gracefully...long</a>:
    [QUOTE] Even though she says she will understand, I feel that it may hurt our friendship. That is the last thing I want. You ladies usually give good advice, so I thought it couldn't hurt to get your opinions. Thanks!
    Posted by VJones1981[/QUOTE]

    This whole $300 per person per party business is a slap in the face of your friendship.

    Just tell you cannot afford it and that it is quite presumptous to assume that the others can as well.  While the others may not say anything, I'd be hardpressed to believe that they aren't thinking it.

    I think you're dodging a bullet by getting out now.
  • Honestly, I'd write an email to the bride asking her if she really doesn't want you to participate because you can't afford $300 for each party. Basically, she's making it sound like she only wants you up there if you can afford to throw her the parties she wants. And if that's the case, I'd reconsider the friendship.


  • I'd just say, "Sadly, I can no longer afford to be in your wedding party, so I must step down.  I send you best wishes."
  • I am just flabbergasted that you're expected to pay $300 per party. For my bachelorette we went out to dinner and then to a club for drinks and dancing. The girls drove me around (in their own cars) and bought my dinner and drinks. They probably spent all of $50 each for it (to cover my expenses).

    My shower was hosted by my four BMs and my SM in the common room of my church. Because my family are members, they didn't have to pay anything to use it (a donation was suggested and I believe they gave around $10 each). There were finger sandwiches, veggie, cheese and dessert trays and punch. We played a few games and I opened my presents. Everyone seemed to have a great time and I don't know what each girl's final expense for it was but definitely not $300 each.

    As a BM the only thing you're expected to pay for is your dress. If the bride requires you to have certain hair, makeup, shoes, jewellery, etc than she is responsible for that. I told my girls to wear whatever black shoes they wanted (including shoes they arleady owned), any silver toned jewellery with clear stones (and if they didn't want to wear jewellery that was ok too) and I paid for their hair and makeup because I wanted it to be professionally done and I wanted us to all be able to get ready in the same place.

    If the wedding is not until April you still have another 5-6 months of this BS to go. I would run for your life.
    image
    Anniversary
  • edited November 2012
    I don't know what they're planning with that money either...that's just crazy. I would absolutely have to step down. It may be an honor to stand up there and share a great day with the bride, but not on those conditions. That's abusing the friendship.It's not near as important to the bridesmaid as it is to the bride (usually) to be in the line up.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bowing-out-gracefullylong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:38a9fe40-2eab-4a48-8fc0-66a10290f621Post:d4429054-e13f-48a4-bf78-1aad93d328f2">bowing out gracefully...long</a>:
    [QUOTE] <strong>My friend then sent out an email telling us to give money to MOH for the shower and that doing that was more important than putting the deposit down on our dresses.</strong> Posted by VJones1981[/QUOTE]

    What the what?! The parties are more important to her than you having the dress? This is just ridiculous.

    Get out while you can. I would seriously write her a letter telling her that it is really unfortunate that she places more emphasis on pre-wedding parties than friendships and common courtesy. Even if money weren't an issue, I would probably bail anyway based on this entitled attitude. I'm sure the bride will look back and feel really sh!tty about all of this, but unfortunately it will probably not be until after the wedding and when the friendships are beyond repair.
  • “Due to the recent $300 requirement, I will have to remove myself from your bridal part, I apologize for any inconvenience but I cannot afford to spend this amount of money at this time.” Good luck, if you can’t control the zilla, direct her to TK.

  • Yeah, even hosting a party by myself, I'd be hard-pressed to spend $300. Multiple people being expected to throw $300 at the MOH every time she decides she wants to plan a party is ridiculous. And the fact the bride is helping the MOH coerce money out of her BMs is just absurd.

    Ditto PP on how to word it. It may damage the friendship, but I'd be offended as a BM that the bride would think so little of our friendship as to say, "Pay up, or GTFO."
  • Email her and copy the MOH. Say that you didn't realize you would be required to help host the parties and that you won't be able to participate.

    I honestly wouldn't step down yet. Just say, "I'm sorry, I won't be able to participate financially. Please let me know if I can help by setting up or bringing something with me." Then see what they say. MAKE her kick you out. ;)
    my read shelf:
    Meredith's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
    40/112

    Photobucket
  • I guess I don't understand why not being able to pony up $300 would keep you from being in the wedding party at all.  The $300 is insane to start with, but to be DQ'd from the WP for not being able to swing it is just ridic. Not quite the the kind of friend I would want to stand up for if this were her mentality.
  • Good advice to have the bride kick you out (from msmery). Email the ladies that you have the dress in your budget and maybe some new nude/ black/whatever shoes and leave it at that. See how the bride responds.
  • Don't walk away from this, RUN! This is just the beginning. Wedding stress hasn't even begun to fully bear down on this bride, and she's gone crazytrain. I cannot stress this enough, this will not be the worst. Two to one month out is when finances get hairy, details get overwhelming, time gets scarce, and sanity is hard to come by. If she can't be a decent human being this far out... Whoa I just scared myself imagining it. Be polite, but abandon ship! You're on the USS Bridetanic and she's not even hiding the fact she's heading for iceburgs!
    Don't make me mobilize OffensiveKitten

    image

    Anniversary

  • Maybe it''s  just I don't like drama. But I don't get why you would want to potentially push someone to the point they will kick you out.   What purpose will that server?   You get to tell everyone what a unreasonable bettch she is?  I don't get the point.

    IDK,  I think you are dodging a bullet with this one. Just let her know that you can't met her expectations of being a BM and leave it at that.   There is nothing wrong with just being a guest.   Actually, I think it's a lot of times the better part of the deal.







    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • You're rude for stepping down. You shouldn't have accepted the job of bridesmaid if you weren't financially capable of paying for the necessary duties. I feel sorry for your friend.
  • Where did they want to have her shower at, Le Bec Fin?  $300 per person is crazy!  Run as fast as you can away from this bride!  I could only see the b-party being $300 per BM if everyone wanted to rent a limo bus or something like that.  But you should be in every single decision if that much money is going to be spent.

    I wonder if they will up the amount owed by the rest of the BP, when one BM drops out.
  • If this is true, I'd bet the bride will be here in a few months crying that no one is throwing her the parties she asked for and the BMs all quit because they were being unreasonable.

    (insert sarcasm) "They agreed to spend spend $1000 on my wedding when they volunteered to be a BM. It's expensive to be a BM! Everyone knows that!"
    "There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness." -Friedrich Nietzsche, "On Reading and Writing"
  • I wouldn't drop out but I would CALL, not email, your friend (bride) and the MOH and let them both know that you are unable to contribute the required $300 for each party that is to be thrown.  That you will be able to purchase the decided on dress and help out where you can.

    If, after that phone call, the bride continues in her crazy ways (who gives a fluck about the MOH, let her go bat-sh$t crazy because the bride is your friend NOT the MOH) I then think you need to have a "come to Jesus" talk with your friend (bride) and let her know that her putting money and parties before your friendship is hurtful and sad and that as much as you care for her and want the friendship to stay solid, if she continues the way she is going you will have to drop out of the wedding and say sayonara to the friendship.

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bowing-out-gracefullylong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:38a9fe40-2eab-4a48-8fc0-66a10290f621Post:6fd2f13f-8d33-47d4-82b0-2028d7e93823">Re: bowing out gracefully...long</a>:
    [QUOTE]Also, $300 per person, per party?  How many BM's does she have<strong>? Obvs the OP and the MOH.  Even if it were just the 2, do showers really cost $600 to host?  We only had a small dinner party/shower kind of thing in someone's home and I'm pretty sure the cost was less than $100 and it was a full meal. This bride sounds off her nutter.</strong>
    Posted by jcbsjr[/QUOTE]


    This. I had a afternoon appetizer only shower in my cousins house. Of couse I don't know for certain, but There's NO WAY it cost even 300. A shower could theoretically be "free." Couldn't it be at someone's house and have the BMs bring a dish?

    Seriously though, you've indicated that there are atleast 3 BMs... if she needs 900 bucks for a shower she's a p!ss poor planner at best.

    OP, I would go the "let her kick you out" route. Maybe somewhere along the line she'd realize she's insane versus her just thinking you were being lame and difficult for dropping out yourself.
  • Maybe this MOH isn't capable of cooking anything and has to have it catered? And the bride is alergic to everything that isn't accompanied by caviar and edible gold. That's seriously the only way that these parties could cost $900.

    I would definitely call or meet up with her over a cup of coffee. DO NOT email her. IF this woman is a half decent friend there is no way that she could look you in the eye or speak with you over the phone and tell you that you're only important enough to her if you can pony up $600 + dress costs (BTW- if she's expecting $1000+ parties, how much is she expecting you to pay for your dress??). If she can do that, I'd run. As fast as you can. Forest Gump style. 

    If she backs down or tells her MOH to keep it in check, stay in the bridal party. Try your best to forget all of this ever happened.

    Good luck! 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bowing-out-gracefullylong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:38a9fe40-2eab-4a48-8fc0-66a10290f621Post:73e9a835-9ed6-43e3-be15-52abda87db21">Re: bowing out gracefully...long</a>:
    [QUOTE]Maybe this MOH isn't capable of cooking anything and has to have it catered? And the bride is alergic to everything that isn't accompanied by caviar and edible gold. That's seriously the only way that these parties could cost $900. I would definitely call or meet up with her over a cup of coffee. DO NOT email her. IF this woman is a half decent friend there is no way that she could look you in the eye or speak with you over the phone and tell you that you're only important enough to her if you can pony up $600 + dress costs (BTW- <strong>if she's expecting $1000+ parties, how much is she expecting you to pay for your dress??</strong>). If she can do that, I'd run. As fast as you can. Forest Gump style.  If she backs down or tells her MOH to keep it in check, stay in the bridal party. Try your best to forget all of this ever happened. Good luck! 
    Posted by madeline&matt[/QUOTE]


    Yeah... I doubt she'll select something from a David's clearance sale. 
  • Thanks ladies. None of the other bridesmaids have said anything, that I know of, so I was starting to think I might be overreacting. Lol. I think the main problem is the MOH getting my friend, the bride, involved at all. That, and not including the other bridesmaids in the loop other than telling us costs. She should have asked everyone what, if anything, they could contribute. Now the bride is trying to help when she doesn't need to. She was MOH in a wedding a few years ago and she, and other bridesmaids, planned a shower and bachelorette weekend for the bride. She made the arrangements once they all decided on everything, but in the end, the other girls didn't contribute. She just doesn't want that to happen to her MOH. While I do understand, I think they are both going about things in the wrong way.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
  • I agree with others saying talk to the bride face to face. Maybe she needs a serious reality check on how insane she's being. If you sit her down and explain that you love her, are so honored to be a BM, and excited about the dress/day/fun times, but can't pay $300 per party, she might be more inclined to see some reasoning. While she's being crazy, I feel like just straight up dropping out is a bit harsh too - she could just be watching wayyyy too many episodes of bridezillas to understand reality. But, after you try to talk to her as a friend, if she won't relent or see the light, politely say you can't continue on.
  • But even if she doesn't want to be stuck with the bill at the end (which I get), what could possibly cost $300/person/party?

    I'm sitting here wondering if it's not a way for the bride to get extra cash to help out with some of her other wedding expenses, especially since they won't tell you what it is being used for.  Call me suspicious, but something just doesn't add up here.  I get it if you were going to vegas for a bach party... but for a shower?  Host it at somebody's house with veggie trays for god's sake.  Or a restaurant if you want to be extra fancy.  I don't get where it could possibly be to cost that much, unless they were planning to invite like 100 people and needed to hardcore rent out a venue with catering.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bowing-out-gracefullylong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:38a9fe40-2eab-4a48-8fc0-66a10290f621Post:61ecf36d-ac79-4b3d-86ac-646e1ca14126">Re: bowing out gracefully...long</a>:
    [QUOTE]Honestly, I'd write an email to the bride asking her if she really doesn't want you to participate because you can't afford $300 for each party. Basically, she's making it sound like she only wants you up there if you can afford to throw her the parties she wants. And if that's the case, I'd reconsider the friendship.
    Posted by SmallenForever[/QUOTE]

    I agree. Id say "I want to be in your wedding, but I can't afford those fees" and not offer to step down...passive aggressive somewhat of me! LOL
  • Are they planning to replicate the shower from Bridesmaids? Cause that's the only thing I can think of that would make a shower cost that much.

    In fact, this MOH just sounds like Rose Byrne's character from Bridesmaids in general.

    And I 100% agree that you shouldn't back out, but tell them you can't pay the money.
  • My goodness...My BFF"s entire shower was like $450 and I hosted brunch and unlimited Bloody Mary/Mimosas for almost 25. 

    I'm not fully awake, but is this the MOH that's demanding this or the MOH along with the bride? Is it possible the bride isn't aware of what the MOH is requiring? 

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • Depending on the area and the type of shower that's being thrown, it can be very expensive. My mother threw my shower and it was well over $2000. Nevertheless, bridesmaids are certainly not responsible to pay these costs, AT ALL. That is just ridiculous. If you had volunteered to throw the shower and knew the cost you'd have to pay, that'd be one thing. But you didn't. I'd bow out now if I were you.
    "Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are."
  • The first thing the MOH should've done was talk budget w/ all of you rather than just demand money. i would email her (cc bride if she's been in the loop) & say you're happy to sit down & plan parties w/ a budget you (& presumably other BMs) can afford. If you're paying for it -- you're ALL the hosts & should all have a say. OR tell her you can't afford $300 but you'd be happy to buy the cake for the shower OR bring champagne to the b-party. If that's not good enough, oh well -- i say let THEM kick you out, rather than you quit, let them look like the jerks.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards