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To not ask the bride to approve my outfit for the wedding

187 replies

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 10:22

Well basically this.. apparently all the other friends and family have sent her pictures of what the were planning to wear for her wedding. She made some scathing remarks about her sister in law who wanted to buy a dress she would also be able to wear after the wedding. Apparently that's shameful behaviour, just like wearing a black dress. Also, not realising that I am now also a size 14, she was very insulting about the fact that her sister in law thought that wearing shapewear might make the dress she wanted suitable (of course she didn't get to buy that, but instead had to buy what was deemed suitable buy the bride 'for her size'.

I should say, that me and 2 other friends were regarded by her as 'like bridesmaids' but not officially... well that also means we are expected to be at her house at 8 in the morning on the wedding day watching her get dressed, make up, hair done etc. But even after spending a lot of time and money organising her hen's do (well 2 days actually instead of 1 to accommodate her sister in law, we are expected to organise and pay for our own hair dresser. How we are going to fit in if we have to spend the entire morning a her house I don't know. Also we are not invited to dinner, only the parents and the witnesses.

So I guess the fact that she now expects to approve my outfit just grates with me. Feels like she has one a bit bridezilla to me.

Also - there are no dress rules on the invitation and last year she still said that we should just wear what we like.. (guess that has changed(

So am I unreasonable?
YES you are being unreasonable - this is her wedding and it's normal that she wants to make sure everyone wears something that fits her idea of the wedding.
NO - you are not being unreasonable and this sounds a bit bridezilla

OP posts:
Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:28

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:19

It was similar to this one but a few shades paler more of a baby pink with a rose pink floral pattern

No that’s not at all bridal. Just looks like you made an effort 🤷🏻‍♀️

Pinkyhere · 07/10/2024 12:26

Buy and wear whatever you want and feel good in.
You are an adult paying for your own clothes and do not need her guidance or approval.
She is unlikely to say anything on the day and if she does just smile (and leave).
Honestly sounds ridiculous. You've spent enough money and have been very accommodating as it is

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:26

Opentooffers · 07/10/2024 12:23

I don't get the 'like bridesmaids' only, so not. Why did her own bridesmaids not arrange her hen do? If you are not regarded highly enough to be her bridesmaids, then she should of got her actual bridesmaids to arrange everything for her hen.
As far as the actual day go's, just a "sorry, can't be there for 8am as will be getting myself ready and having my own hair done". Should suffice.
Put off sending the pic by using various excuses along the way and give her a verbal description 😉

She doesn't have any bridesmaids. She just has one witness and us three...

OP posts:
Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:24

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:19

It was similar to this one but a few shades paler more of a baby pink with a rose pink floral pattern

That's a lovely dress, what could be wrong with that??

Honestly, brides and weddings, who knew they could be so horrible?
Also, what happened to just being glad all your friends and family can be there at your wedding and having a good time?

OP posts:
Opentooffers · 07/10/2024 12:23

I don't get the 'like bridesmaids' only, so not. Why did her own bridesmaids not arrange her hen do? If you are not regarded highly enough to be her bridesmaids, then she should of got her actual bridesmaids to arrange everything for her hen.
As far as the actual day go's, just a "sorry, can't be there for 8am as will be getting myself ready and having my own hair done". Should suffice.
Put off sending the pic by using various excuses along the way and give her a verbal description 😉

Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 12:22

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:19

It was similar to this one but a few shades paler more of a baby pink with a rose pink floral pattern

Thanks for posting! Im invested 😂

Maybe they thought the pale pink would look white in photos? Shouldn’t matter with the floral pattern though!

I would take it as a compliment - maybe you just looked better than the bride 😂

Did you ever speak to her again after leaving?

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:22

BobbyBiscuits · 07/10/2024 12:09

She sounds pretty controlling to be making these demands of people. And nasty remarks about people's clothes and body shapes!
If I were you I'd just step back from the whole 'bridesmaid' thing. You're not the bridesmaid and you've done more than enough for her already. Just turn up to the ceremony wearing something you like, that of course you'll be able to wear again. Who buys a dress to wear once to someone else's wedding?
It sounds like she's really putting pressure on her friendships which I'm sure she'll regret once the wedding is over.

She doesn't have anything to fear either, I would never wear anything too casual or too close to white...I would definitely wear a nice dress, just not a very long/gala dress.

And yes I did want to buy something I could use again, I think that's just normal?
I had been thinking about black, since I don't think it's necessarily a mourning colour and also I do need a black dress. But apparently someone else was told very clearly by her that black is not for a wedding.

Then I was thinking navy or dark green, not too sober dress. That way I could definitely use it again for Christmas/New year or even maybe later on to go out for dinner if its wasn't too 'festive'.

OP posts:
widelegenes · 07/10/2024 12:22

YABU, but not for the reason you cite, but for being so darn horrible about someone who is meant to be one of your best friends.
You don't have to do anything - speak to her about it, not bitch behind her back.

Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:20

Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:18

It would also be a record of something that was absolutely not her wedding.

It’s beyond contrived. It’s utterly faux.

… I mean she should probably borrow some cute children and get them photographed for Christmas cards for the coming decade, because once they actually arrive she’ll be so time pressured.

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:19

Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 12:13

Can we see the dress??

It was similar to this one but a few shades paler more of a baby pink with a rose pink floral pattern

To not ask the bride to approve my outfit for the wedding
Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:18

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:17

Well the weather was still nice enough now to get a picture on the beach and may not be in November. Also, that would leave them so little time on the day itself... oh well her choice...

It would also be a record of something that was absolutely not her wedding.

It’s beyond contrived. It’s utterly faux.

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:17

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:16

I just left and went home ! They were really unpleasant to me and I knew it wasn’t remotely bridal and I certainly wasn’t upstaging the bride !

Good for you!

OP posts:
Fluffytoebeanz · 07/10/2024 12:17

I'm confused, are they not having food at the reception? It's all bonkers. Do the other people invited know that?

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:17

Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:09

They. Have. Already. Had.The.Wedding.Photos. Made.?!!!!

😱😱😱😱😱😱

How contrived and controlling is this woman?

Well the weather was still nice enough now to get a picture on the beach and may not be in November. Also, that would leave them so little time on the day itself... oh well her choice...

OP posts:
PennyApril54 · 07/10/2024 12:17

I'd wear whatever you want to wear. Don't tell her in advance and if she asks describe it but first day you are not looking for / don't want her feedback or approval because it's already decided. Say if on the morning of the wedding she has a problem then you will leave 🤣

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:16

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:08

Oh wow, that's somehow even worse, to be turned away like that. Did you do it and return to the party?

I just left and went home ! They were really unpleasant to me and I knew it wasn’t remotely bridal and I certainly wasn’t upstaging the bride !

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:16

Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 12:12

I feel for you OP. A friend of mine I’ve known for years who always seemed perfectly reasonable got married this year, and her behaviour was so unexpected. She was so self-centred and entitled that it has totally changed my opinion of her.

Well That's exactly the same her and it makes me sad. We were all so happy for her when she told us they were getting married.

It's starting to feel as if she were a princess or a queen to be tended to, instead of a teacher getting married to an accountant, ok agreed with his own firm from his dad!

OP posts:
Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 12:13

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:04

A couple of years ago I was asked (well ordered!) to go home and change because apparently my choice of dress was not appropriate!! It was a pale pink floral maxi dress it didn’t even look bridal ? The brides mother and sister told me I needed to change and that ‘trying to upstage the bride is awful’

Can we see the dress??

Soontobe60 · 07/10/2024 12:12

This bride is bonkers 🤣

Boobygravy · 07/10/2024 12:12

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:04

A couple of years ago I was asked (well ordered!) to go home and change because apparently my choice of dress was not appropriate!! It was a pale pink floral maxi dress it didn’t even look bridal ? The brides mother and sister told me I needed to change and that ‘trying to upstage the bride is awful’

I would have gone home and stayed home.
How bloody rude.

Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 12:12

I feel for you OP. A friend of mine I’ve known for years who always seemed perfectly reasonable got married this year, and her behaviour was so unexpected. She was so self-centred and entitled that it has totally changed my opinion of her.

Boobygravy · 07/10/2024 12:10

I think you should step up here.
Sil is stuck with your friend, you're not.
Ring her up and tell her, look you're being ridiculous now and very mean to your sil. This isn't like you and I don't want you to look back and realise what a bridezilla you've been so catch yourself on and calm the f down.

Calliopespa · 07/10/2024 12:09

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:06

The dinner is only for her parents, brother, sister in law and the witnesses.. which I know some of our acquaintances have done as well.

So for us it's ceremony, reception, evening party with a dessert buffet.
And get up up very early to get her ready.

Also, the groom has already seen her dress etc, because they have already had the wedding photos made. So I don't feel like this is such a special moment anymore anyway, we are just supposed to be there in her script.

Honestly, I've never known someone to behave like this, all the other weddings have just been good fun...

They. Have. Already. Had.The.Wedding.Photos. Made.?!!!!

😱😱😱😱😱😱

How contrived and controlling is this woman?

BobbyBiscuits · 07/10/2024 12:09

She sounds pretty controlling to be making these demands of people. And nasty remarks about people's clothes and body shapes!
If I were you I'd just step back from the whole 'bridesmaid' thing. You're not the bridesmaid and you've done more than enough for her already. Just turn up to the ceremony wearing something you like, that of course you'll be able to wear again. Who buys a dress to wear once to someone else's wedding?
It sounds like she's really putting pressure on her friendships which I'm sure she'll regret once the wedding is over.

Cupcakemum79 · 07/10/2024 12:08

maybeamistake · 07/10/2024 12:04

A couple of years ago I was asked (well ordered!) to go home and change because apparently my choice of dress was not appropriate!! It was a pale pink floral maxi dress it didn’t even look bridal ? The brides mother and sister told me I needed to change and that ‘trying to upstage the bride is awful’

Oh wow, that's somehow even worse, to be turned away like that. Did you do it and return to the party?

OP posts:
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