Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to pay for my bridesmaid dress?

364 replies

MrsB777 · 01/04/2024 16:36

I've been asked to be a bridesmaid for two weddings this year, both of which I need to purchase my own dress for. The dresses that have been chosen range from £100-130.

AIBU to think that if someone asks me to be in their wedding, then they should pay for the dress? I've been a bridesmaid previously and the bride bought my dress.

OP posts:
YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:29

My SIL is a registrar and she’s done everything from millionaire celeb wedding to people getting married in trainers and jeans. But she absolutely has protocol to follow no mater what, as in very set words to say, the B&G have to make particular declarations and all in front of at least 2 witnesses. It’s definitely not a case of buying a certificate and just getting a registrar to sign it. I have no idea why you think that’s the case?

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:29

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:19

Dear god

What aren’t you getting? Wedding are very expensive for guests especially if they have to travel. And you don’t think you need to be grateful for them doing that because “well you don’t have to come!”? You actually think your Princess day is a privilege for them 😂 spoiler alert: 99% of people don’t care about your wedding

if a bridesmaid cannot afford or is not willing to contribute financially or emotionally to whatever the bride is requesting, then she should politely decline.

Wow! Not “Do you know what I love you enough to ask you to be a bridesmaid and if you can’t afford it I’ll buy your dress and hotel room and ditch the free bar idea”. It’s “If you can’t afford my princess day then You Can’t Sit With Us”

Being a bridesmaid is a responsibility

🤣🤣🤣🤣
No it’s a marker of love for the bride, they are responsible for nothing except ensuring they themselves have a nice day.

I don’t believe for a minute you have friends who will be bridesmaids, no one this entitled and selfish maintains friendships.

Oh wait I’m right - it’s your cousins isn’t it? Not friends?

My friends are guests, my family are part of the bridal party.

My friends will be attending the Hen-do and we have our own separate outings etc

You’re ranting about something that has nothing to do with me, so, yeah.

You’re clearly emotionally dysregulated and my opinions have hit a nerve. Hopefully you can make peace with that.

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:27

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:25

This isn’t true.

you can pay £57 + £35 to give notice and have a registrar certify your marriage.

anything extra is not a need.

So you don’t need to turn up together with your OH and witnesses then and make declarations in front of a registrar (aka a ceremony). You can just skip the legal formalities but still get married? Where is this?

Mnetcurious · 05/04/2024 21:27

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 20:14

Wedding Loungewear is so that the bridesmaids have something comfortable to wear whilst they’re getting ready .

If your bridesmaids like walking around naked, that’s on them.

Edited

Do they not own any clothes of their own then? Most people own casual clothes to lounge around in at home. Walking around naked - what a ridiculous thing to say.

Aerin1999 · 05/04/2024 21:26

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:23

loungewear.

i don’t know of anyone who lounges in tracksuits.

Well some people probably do lounge in tracksuits. There are many different kinds.

genuinely just trying to visualise loungewear - because to me that means lots of cashmere which would be very expensive.

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:26

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:23

You use the word tacky a lot.

is that what you’re used to, which is why you can’t comprehend anything different?

No. I used it because wedding loungewear is tacky as hell.

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:25

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:22

So sorry you feel that way about your loved ones.

Thankfully, I’m genuinely excited about attending and participating in my loved one weddings and baby showers.

id hate to be filled with so much hate, bitterness and rage over occasions that are meant to be joyful.

I don’t feel that way about my loved ones because they’re NOT entitled twats. Thankfully I’ve never been to a wedding where the needs of guests weren’t highly considered

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:25

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:09

Well in order to be married there has to be some form of wedding ceremony so you’re wrong.

If there’s no ‘need’ for anything why did YOU say you ‘need’ loungewear for you and your bridesmaid?

This isn’t true.

you can pay £57 + £35 to give notice and have a registrar certify your marriage.

anything extra is not a need.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:23

Aerin1999 · 05/04/2024 21:22

Are we talking matching tracksuits or more pyjamas? I’m intrigued.

loungewear.

i don’t know of anyone who lounges in tracksuits.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:23

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:01

Good point.

@MissDeeDeeLove claims if she had to pay for BM dresses she wouldn’t have had bridesmaids at all As she can’t afford dresses… but she does buy them some tacky pyjamas for equally tacky photos.

I wonder how such entitled people find and maintain friendships when they’re such pisstakers

You use the word tacky a lot.

is that what you’re used to, which is why you can’t comprehend anything different?

Aerin1999 · 05/04/2024 21:22

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:20

It’s a uniform colour, yes.

Are we talking matching tracksuits or more pyjamas? I’m intrigued.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:22

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 20:57

No. Very few people actually give a fuck about your day, they come along because it’s the polite and correct thing to do. They will fork out WAY more to be part of your day then they will get back in terms of a meal, which is all they benefit from in terms of finances.

I love the people in my life largely because they aren’t entitled twats, and I go to weddings to celebrate their life choice - however I do so at enormous expense to myself and I expect some humility from the B&G rather than an attitude of ‘aren’t you ever so lucky to be here’

So sorry you feel that way about your loved ones.

Thankfully, I’m genuinely excited about attending and participating in my loved one weddings and baby showers.

id hate to be filled with so much hate, bitterness and rage over occasions that are meant to be joyful.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:20

DappledThings · 05/04/2024 20:56

So what it is about the loungewear you're buying? Do they match? Either there's something specific about it (which will be tacky) or there isn't, in which case it's unnecessary .

It’s a uniform colour, yes.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:19

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:14

I am very loved precisely because I don’t surround myself with piss taking cunts looking to use me to fund their ‘special day’

Love that for you!

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:19

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:13

If those guests aren’t happy to travel to a wedding they have been invited to, then they shouldn’t come. Why is that so difficult to understand?

I don’t go to the weddings of people I dislike or view as too burdensome to pay £100 to travel to especially when I’ve most likely known about their wedding months in advance.

if a bridesmaid cannot afford or is not willing to contribute financially or emotionally to whatever the bride is requesting, then she should politely decline.

being a bridesmaid and attending a wedding isn’t an obligation.

Being a bridesmaid is a responsibility - being part of a bridal party in general comes with responsibility and a bride who respects her bridal party, won’t ask them to wear dresses or accessories that cost £100s.

Dear god

What aren’t you getting? Wedding are very expensive for guests especially if they have to travel. And you don’t think you need to be grateful for them doing that because “well you don’t have to come!”? You actually think your Princess day is a privilege for them 😂 spoiler alert: 99% of people don’t care about your wedding

if a bridesmaid cannot afford or is not willing to contribute financially or emotionally to whatever the bride is requesting, then she should politely decline.

Wow! Not “Do you know what I love you enough to ask you to be a bridesmaid and if you can’t afford it I’ll buy your dress and hotel room and ditch the free bar idea”. It’s “If you can’t afford my princess day then You Can’t Sit With Us”

Being a bridesmaid is a responsibility

🤣🤣🤣🤣
No it’s a marker of love for the bride, they are responsible for nothing except ensuring they themselves have a nice day.

I don’t believe for a minute you have friends who will be bridesmaids, no one this entitled and selfish maintains friendships.

Oh wait I’m right - it’s your cousins isn’t it? Not friends?

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:18

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:12

I’d never ever make my friends spend £100 to celebrate my day and then have the nerve to say “Oh but here’s some PJs with your name on them, you’re so welcome”. Largely because I’m not selfish and entitled. To many people £100 IS a lot to fork out and yes I do have friends who financially struggle. So sorry for having poor friends 🤣

Theres also other expenses for YOUR day - accessories, hair, make up costs (even if doing themselves, the fact yours are speaks volumes) accommodation, transport, food to eat and drink the night before and next day etc, hen do costs, not to mention their time helping with everything…and you are supposed to think they’re blessed to be spending this much on YOU?

You must have a VERY high opinion of yourself

Edited

I do think very highly of myself. I love myself and my friends and family do too and thankfully don’t view me as a burden. Very grateful ☺️

Do whatever works for you.

Mermaidsarereal · 05/04/2024 21:15

Absolutely not! I'm giving my bridesmaids money (50 each) towards a dress they want as long as it matches my colour scheme I'm not bothered what dress they wear!

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:14

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:05

What’s your point? Are weddings meant to be free?

not sure why you’re so upset about an event you’re not invited to lol relax.

My friends and family don’t hate me lol I am loved by people who don’t see that expense as a burden lol and I don’t see them as a burden either.

I can’t speak for you and your circle.

Sounds like you’ve never been loved. Sad.

I am very loved precisely because I don’t surround myself with piss taking cunts looking to use me to fund their ‘special day’

protectthesmallones · 05/04/2024 21:14

Historically and traditionally if the bride has a certain dress or colour or style in mind and requests this then she purchases the dress.

If you are asked to buy your own you can wear whatever you like as long as it's respectful so you don't need to buy a new dress at all. Just wear something you already own.

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:13

Springtime79 · 05/04/2024 21:12

@MissDeeDeeLove is on the wind up. No way is anyone this cheeky and self centred 😂 🎣

I am unfortunately

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:13

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:08

Weddings are for the B&G and they should have the humility to not assume every guest is thrilled to spend a fortune - weddings shouldn’t cost the guests the Earth. If you can’t afford the Princess day you want then cut your cloth accordingly, don’t make your guests subsidise it

I don’t see them as a burden either.

Why would you when they’re contributing to the financial running of your party

If those guests aren’t happy to travel to a wedding they have been invited to, then they shouldn’t come. Why is that so difficult to understand?

I don’t go to the weddings of people I dislike or view as too burdensome to pay £100 to travel to especially when I’ve most likely known about their wedding months in advance.

if a bridesmaid cannot afford or is not willing to contribute financially or emotionally to whatever the bride is requesting, then she should politely decline.

being a bridesmaid and attending a wedding isn’t an obligation.

Being a bridesmaid is a responsibility - being part of a bridal party in general comes with responsibility and a bride who respects her bridal party, won’t ask them to wear dresses or accessories that cost £100s.

Springtime79 · 05/04/2024 21:12

@MissDeeDeeLove is on the wind up. No way is anyone this cheeky and self centred 😂 🎣

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:12

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:09

I don’t know about the women you spend time with, but paying less than £100 for a dress is hardly losing out financially.

If I was asking for more than that, then sure.

I’d never ever make my friends spend £100 to celebrate my day and then have the nerve to say “Oh but here’s some PJs with your name on them, you’re so welcome”. Largely because I’m not selfish and entitled. To many people £100 IS a lot to fork out and yes I do have friends who financially struggle. So sorry for having poor friends 🤣

Theres also other expenses for YOUR day - accessories, hair, make up costs (even if doing themselves, the fact yours are speaks volumes) accommodation, transport, food to eat and drink the night before and next day etc, hen do costs, not to mention their time helping with everything…and you are supposed to think they’re blessed to be spending this much on YOU?

You must have a VERY high opinion of yourself

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:09

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:06

A wedding isn’t a need, so what is your point?

you don’t need a wedding to be married at all.

there’s no such thing as a “need” at a wedding. People do things because they want to. Nothing else to it.

Well in order to be married there has to be some form of wedding ceremony so you’re wrong.

If there’s no ‘need’ for anything why did YOU say you ‘need’ loungewear for you and your bridesmaid?

MissDeeDeeLove · 05/04/2024 21:09

YaMuvva · 05/04/2024 21:02

Also you on a budget to the point you can’t afford bridesmaid dresses but there’s a free bar? So the women important to you have to lose out financially but random family members can sink as much free booze as they like.

Im guessing it’s on of those weddings where a couple want to appear to be having a lavish expensive wedding but actually that’s not the case at all because other people are out of pocket for their party

I don’t know about the women you spend time with, but paying less than £100 for a dress is hardly losing out financially.

If I was asking for more than that, then sure.

Swipe left for the next trending thread