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Wedding Party

Moh said bride 'has money,' but moh doesn't

I think I might be in bridezilla or being too involved in planning my own parties territory, but I have no idea how to handle a comment from my moh. When fi and I got engaged, she immediately started saying how excited she was for my bachelorette and how she'd throw such a great one. She is now engaged too and asked me to be her moh. I was excited and said yes. However, since her wedding is may 2015 ( no exact date or venue yet) and mine is may 2014, I haven't really thought much about her wedding specifics or bachelorette party.
My sister, also in the Bp, had wanted to be part of bachelorette party plans but told me she was nervous to plan an entire thing due to all the stuff going on in her life right now. I told her to talk to my moh and see if helping her might be an option and I appreciated the offer tremendously,.
A month or so ago, it seems they decided to work together and plan. They also asked me for a list of a few things I'd really want on a bachelorette party, so I provided this. I think my moh was upset because apparently it differed slightly from what she'd been thinking-example, she wanted to start the night at my dads place and have out if town guests just stay there if they wanted and I didn't want to use his place. It'd require extra cleanup and he wasn't big on idea of being kicked out if his house or being in the festivities area.
(However, my moh just lost her job and so I know money is tight and she's super stressed, so I am trying not to be insensitivity. But, , everything becomes a question from her to me on the form of, ' this is expensive, do you really need that at your thing or can we cut it because I just don't have money like that.,'. My sister on the other hand has been calling me saying my moh is not even asking girls if they'd be interested in different things or looking up the prices before saying it's too expensive. Moh even sent an email asking me to let her know who could help pay for what because she doesn't have enough money. I had a conversation with her and tried to gently ask if she'd rather just not plan it and let my sis take over or just not take part in things she couldn't afford, but still have it be part of the activities if other girls wanted to participate and it'd been on my list. She just said she'd have to see.
So, the other day we are out to lunch and she's telling me how her dad will have to help pay for her bm dress-139 that she had no issue with at decision time (I do realize that was before her job loss.). She is also telling me that, in addition to my future mother in law paying (a very gracious offer) for anyone wanting to get wedding makeup done in my Bp, that someone should be paying for the BMs to get their hair done or I shouldn't have said anything. I told BMs I was getting my hair done for wedding and I'd get prices on what it would cost for them to get their hair done too. I said that if prices looked reasonable to them, just let me know so I can tell the hairdressers how many, but they are on no way required to get their hair or makeup done for wedding. 'Yiou have money,' she said as her justification for why ibshoukd OAU for this. Ibjusyvtold her it was not required so if they wanted it, it'd be their cost and if they didn't like cost they didn't have to do it.
Then, at the end she said all the bachelorette planning had gotten her excited for her own and where was I on that? I know she's planning mine, but if actually never offered or said a word about her bachelorette and while I'm not opposed to planning it, I don't understand her just assuming I'd be doing this. I just said that am knee deep in my planning right now but after my wedding, she'll still have over a year to figure things out,. Well, 'I'm going to need you to plan it, just like I am planning yours' she said, 'and I'm thinking Vegas! I've always wanted to go!'
I told her that Vegas can be super expensive and she might want to think on that one and consider her BMs' financials as well. 'Well you've got money, im sure you'll figure it out' was her response. I was so floored I just got in my car and left. If by 'I have money' she means I have a job I work my ass off at for a decent (I'm not taking lavish vacations, but I'm no worried about if ill be able to pay my bills from month to month) salary, then I guess I have money. But she has no idea what my bills are, what fi and I are saving for, what loans we may have, I'm just so frustrated when I think about it, but maybe I really am the bridezilla here?

Re: Moh said bride 'has money,' but moh doesn't

  • No, you're not. Your friend is being unreasonable, and it sounds like she's jealous of your successes.

    I don't know what else to tell you other than you're doing everything right. You might need to sit her down and have a 'come to Jesus clear the air' conversation with her about what your expectations are that she will consult with your other BMs, she will no over-extend anyone's budget, and she will not ask you to pay for things just because she thinks you have money.
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    I'm gonna go with 'not my circus, not my monkeys.'
  • @missax-I would hope that's not the reason she offered to plan, but I think she is if a mindset (probably has not been to this site) that the moh is supposed to handle the bachelorette (I know that the MOHs only responsibility is to show up on the dress on time and sober for pictures, however, in my case, she did offer right from the beginning to have this for me.)
    She does love to go out and calls herself the life of the party, so I figured that was her reasoning for planning. At first, she was talking about Vegas or California or something for mine, but later asked if it'd be ok to do it in my hometown (I grew up there and it's a few hours from where I now live or where wedding will be. She still lives in our hometown, so it'd be easier for her on not needing to travel anywhere. I was good with that because I love my hometown, there's plenty to do for a bachelorette, it's accessible, etc.
    One of my other BMs (another one my moh says has money) called me to ask if I'd specifically requested the hometown because there'd never been any other option presented to the BMs, aka the firs email was 'my name is, I'm the moh, planning this in hometown weekend of....' Etc.
    I'm not sure if she should've asked them or not, but I told my bm I was happy with hometown and she said ok, she just wanted to make sure that I wasn't compromising for the MOHs needs, but if I was good, she was good with it-and I am. I just think it's a little unfair to say mine needs to be in hometown so she can not have the added expenses of travel or a hotel (Which many of the other girls still have to do because they're not from our town,) but hers wouldn't follow the same way?
    @ hisgirlfriday13- she may be jealous of my successes I guess (hadn't really thought about that.). We both came from families in relatively the same situation and, while I'm sure my parents would help if if and I were destitute tomorrow, I've been completely financially independent from them since graduating college and have worked hard (I've moved for my job, held crazy hours and worked weekends, been on call, worked 17 hours straight many times, etcetera)and, in my opinion, earned any success I have. I've also saved a lot I it for things like fi and my wedding, house, dog, honeymoon, travel to see my family (they no longer live in hometown by are about a plane ride or 15 hour car ride away,) and it hurts to feel like it's bring held against me as 'simply having money.'
  • Jen4948Jen4948 member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 25 Answers
    edited January 2014
    I'd sit her down and tell her, "Listen: There is no requirement that you spend any money or time on anything related to my wedding other than purchasing the dress and showing up on time and in good spirits.  With that in mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop asking me if I 'really need something' by way of trying to plan something for me.  It is insulting.  I also need you to drop the 'you've got money, I'm sure you'll figure it out' line.  It's not up to you to decide what I or anyone else need to figure out with our, not your, money.  If you don't, we may just figure out that we're not going to Vegas or spending it on anything we aren't willing to spend it on."
  • adnam08mandaadnam08manda member
    100 Comments Third Anniversary 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited January 2014
    I just can't fathom someone saying "I can't really afford anything for you bachelorette" which isn't even a required duty, but a favor/gift/good time. However, if she did this it would be up to her and the bridesmaids to throw. That is only IF she offers. Which she did. However, then turning around and wanting YOU and her BM's to pay for her a bachelorette in Vegas. She's wanting you to do something huge for her because she thinks you have money and you can pity her. She's a grown woman.

    You've been busy planning YOUR wedding that is in about 5 months where as hers is in 17. It's just rude to even be putting all her problems that aren't even time sensitive on you when you clearly have enough to handle. I just can't imagine saying to my MOH "I can't afford to have you a very nice bachelorette even though I said I would, but I want you to have mine in Vegas and foot the bill". Get real. I would just tell her she doesn't have to do it. It's not a requirement and maybe she will realize that you don't have to plan hers either. I wouldn't want someone putting that in my face every time I saw them so I would just tell her to not worry about it and that you'll be fine without.

    Or heck even just to be a smart ass say "You know, I would really love to go to Vegas for my bachelorette! You can get a job and you could afford it. I think we should do that. You'll figure it out." I bet she won't be making that suggestion anymore for herself.
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  • I am sorry your friend and MOH is utting you through this.  Honestly I would sit her down and have a conversation about the way her saying "you have money" is upsetting you.  I would do this apart from wedding talk too.  Just keep the conservtion about the problem and take it from there.  If that doesn't seem to help, then you can remind her that planning your B-Party is not required and you will be happy with whatever decision she makes. 

    Its a really hard spot to be in.  Also, I hope she isn't the one who is a birdzilla, because it certaintly isn't you.

  • auriannaaurianna member
    Ninth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited January 2014
    Hmm. Well, you aren't being a bridezilla, but I do think you are encroaching close to the "don't plan your own party" line.
    IF your father had offered his house for the party, I think it would have been ungrateful to both him and your MOH to say "no, I'd rather people spend money to stay in a hotel." ...but I'm guessing he didn't offer and she just assumed you'd ask him. So no harm, no foul. But you get what I mean.

    Also, shy away from comments like "I just think it's a little unfair to say mine needs to be in hometown so she can not have the added expenses of travel or a hotel."
    One should be grateful for any party thrown for them and should not want her MoH to spend more than she can afford. (though I know your concern is probably more for your other bridesmaids)

    But she definitely has some 'tude that isn't pretty.

    Next time she asks you if you "need" something, just say "Don't feel the need to ask me about this kind of stuff. I am totally happy with whatever party you plan. I want everyone involved to only pay what they can afford." Hopefully that puts a stop to her guilting you about your own party.

    If one of your other BMs comes to you, I'd say something like "I'm just happy to have a night out with my closest friends. The most important thing to me about the planning is that everyone just spend what they can afford and that no one feels like they are being required to spend money without having any say in the planning." Then disengage. Let them deal with it.


    As far as your BM getting on you about HER party... oh my gosh. Divert, divert, divert. Assuming you do plan to give her one, "It'll be fun. I'll probably start brainstorming next winter. Hey, have you tried this bean dip?"
  • I know for my BS & bachlorette my girls all got together & figured out a budget and who would do what based on their budgets. They all had different budgets they could afford. One was better off financially so she contributed more cash while the others did more of the running and calling around.

    When it comes to her party, it's not just your budget that has to be taken into consideration, it's the budget of all the guests too, you can't be expected to pay for all of the guests too. I would price out what she wants to do for Vegas just so you can say you did it and tell her that to ask her girlfriends to fork out $xx.xx for a bachlorette party is something you aren't comfortable doing nor do you have that kind of cash to cover your expenses but her travel expenses. Then try to plan a fun girls night out based on what you and other BM can afford (if there are any others) and what you think your guests can afford (like if you are planning to go out bar hopping, or other activites where people would be expected to pay their own way). If she doesn't appreciate what you do for her, that's her loss.

  • @aurianna-I was afraid of that and will try harder to ensure I'm not too close to that line of planning my own party.
    My dad didn't offer his house and I felt super awkward asking him (looking back maybe I should've had her ask him since his might be considered planning my own, but since she's asked me to ask him, I was.). Regarding the 'not having added expenses,' comment, that was the reasoning she used to ask me if it could be in Richmond, but I do see your point in me saying that. I wouldn't want anyone to spend more jan they can afford-moh, BMs, or other girls attending. I'm just concerned that one persons finances (my MOHs) are dictating the events and, if girls are traveling and taking heir time and money to come celebrate with me, and they have ideas or things they think would be fun for us to do, but she's shooting it down as 'too expensive,' then that's upsetting to me on behalf of my other friends...
    I don't know if this was wrong or not, but when she'd come to me (before I wrote original post) talking abou how some of the other girls had money and wanted to stay in a hotel room, but she didn't have money like that so she didn't know what to do, i suggested maybe she could reccomend hotels in the area and tell the girls the pricing. Then, they could decide what hotel to stay at, and just let her know so she'd know for her planning, but she didn't have to stay. Too much?
  • No, you're not asking too much of her. Sounds like you want a fun night, but it doesn't have to cost everyone a fortune. With doing some research on things in the area, there really isn't a reason that the MOH can't plan a great party and not have to go in debt over it. Some ideas, she can schedule appointments at a local nail salon for people to get mani & pedi's (everyone paying for themselves). If she can't afford it, what if she just goes & takes pictures of people getting their nails done & girls together. Then if you go to a bar, she can always drink pop & again, be busy taking photos of people to document the great fun you are all having together. Of course it would be ackward for you to suggest these things to her, but maybe you could suggest to your sister who can share the ideas as her own with MOH. In regards to the hotel room, to make it fun, ask everyone to bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share & do a wine tasting.
  • My BM's and I aren't doing a bar or a getaway. We will probably just get together at my MOH's house (she's planning this but keeps asking for ideas) and do a Pure Romance Party. Everyone is bringing their favorite wine and just hanging out. Maybe play board games or watch silly movies. My girls aren't super outgoing and two have kids so I know they'd rather hang out at someones house then at a bar/club. Works for me and it's not hurting their finances at all. It's just all good fun!
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  • The pure romance party sounds fun! However, my moh already said she can't host anything at her place, and my dad doesn't want his, so still back at hotel issue. I love he idea of everyone bring their wine! I'll share all those ideas with my sister!
    I am also not sure how I feel about a new development in this. She asked me if I really needed her to be at all the stuff and for how long. I just said, as @aurianna had suggested that while I appreciated her wanting my opinion and all, she didn't need to worry about asking me for which things to attend and how long because I'd be happy for whatever she could plan and whenever she could be there. She said I didn't understand that it costs her to have a sitter for her son and that's why she's asking because that's all an additional cost to her. I just said I understand that and just do what she can do time wise and money wise and that's more than I could ever ask for...
    However, in my head, I was being a bridezilla I think. I was thinking about the fact that she has a fiancé she lives with, can he not watch her child one night or even for a few hours? I get that her son is not biologically his though so that could be unreasonable. If you're thinking he might already have plans that night, he doesn't. I know this only because she asked if it would be a problem if he and his friends met us out that night because he'd been finally agreeing to 'let her go' to my thing, but he'd like to call up a few friends and meet up with us. She asked him who and he said he didn't know yet. He also said that if we do anything that disrespects him, then he's just going to go to a bunch of strip clubs rat night and 'see how she likes it (I have a whole other post on here about him so Ill try no to get into my feelings on him too much in this post).
    Aside from that, she was just telling me a de weeks ago how she feels like she doesn't see her son enough anymore because he and her fiancé go out almost every weekend so the son is with her parents or a sitter-I wonder if she complains to her fiancé that she shouldn't go out because it's a cost to her for a sitter. I realize that I am probably being self centered with all this, but I just wish sometimes she hadn't even offered to plan it because it's clearly causing her stress, but she doesn't want to relinquish anything to anyone to help her or even take over for her if she needs...
  • It sounds like her "fiancé" is a joke. He sounds like a jealous jerk who doesn't care about being a family man. That's fine if you don't already HAVE a child and you are young and want to go out occasionally to unwind. However, to threaten to go to a strip club if he's "disrespected" sounds like an asshole. I  would tell her to go sit at home with her son a few weekends and tell him to get over that clubbing mess. If he wants to do that instead of being at home with his future wife and future step child then he can get to walking. That's just my advice to her though! Seems like she is already paying a sitter so her fiancé will be happy and they go out clubbing. I would tell her to stop worrying about your wedding at all and focus on her own problems because clearly there are a lot of issues she's dealing with at home.
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  • Ugh! Now I remember your MOH from your other post. I feel really bad for her first of all that she's with this jerk of a guy. I used to be with a guy like that rather than fight with him I would make up excuses why I couldn't do stuff and just stay home. I'm going to guess that he's giving her such grief about trying to have a night out that he's making it impossible for her to plan anything at all. There's nothing that you can say or do that will help her in this situation. The only thing you can say is exactly what you said "anything you do and any time you can spend with us is appreciated." Let her know you understand and you love her. It might suck right now, but she will appreciate you being understanding. Hopefully she will realize what a controlling douche this guy is and leave and then she will really need a friend. 

    I'm sorry you have to go through this with the party planning though. I hope you can just hang out with your girls and have fun no matter what goes on with your MOH.
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  • You handled it beautifully. So how close were you to saying "You can afford to go out every weekend with FI & pay for sitter for that but you can't go out with me one night?"  I personally think he's using your party as an excuse to be able to go to a few bars & strip clubs. I guess that gets you off the hook for going to Vegas for her party because the things that happen in Vegas could be very disrespectful of him....lol.
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