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AIBU?

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AIBU to get out of this wedding

59 replies

InBedBy10 · 06/12/2025 15:21

I've already posted this on the relationship board but I wanted to see if I am being unreasonable to not go to this wedding? Im feeling very conflicted at the moment and I know AIBU will be more blunt with responses.

An ex colleague asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I was shocked to be honest because although we did get on well and had afew (work) nights out, we are not particularly close. I agreed because I was taken by surprise and honestly didn't want to hurt her feelings so just said yes.
I've since found out she has 12 bridesmaids. 2 of which are other work colleagues who were also surprised to be asked for the same reasons I was. She has told us that she has no budget for bridesmaid dresses and we can all wear our own dresses. It doesnt matter what colour and she doesnt need us to match. We also wont be standing at the altar with her. Just sitting up the front. Honestly the more I hear the more I think we are not really bridesmaids at all but i was happy to go along with it. Until now.
For various reasons I really dont want to go to this wedding anymore. If I was just a guest I would send apologises and let her know I can't go. BUT Im supposedly a bridesmaid so I feel obligated to go. Even though I haven't spoken to her since October. Her wedding is in February and I still have no details - time, place etc. The other bridesmaids dont either.
How do I get out of this without upsetting her? Do I have an emergency the day of? Or let her know in advance? In which case, what do i say?

OP posts:
IsItSnowing · 06/12/2025 16:24

You haven't seen her for months. How can there be any fallout from you just saying sorry you don't want to do it? You barely have a relationship now so even if she cuts you off you've hardly lost anything by it.

ThejoyofNC · 06/12/2025 16:23

"Hi bride, unfortunately due to lack of clarity around the plans I'm going to have to pull out. I've got other things happening around the same time and was hoping to try and make it work but without the details it's not going to work for me. Sorry and have a lovely wedding."

Sausagescanfly · 06/12/2025 16:20

Let her know now. If she is paying for a meal for you, she may be able to cancel it or invite someone else.

Bambamhoohoo · 06/12/2025 15:49

I would say it doesn’t really matter how you do it (as long as it’s kind of course!) or if your unreasonable - there doesn’t seem to be much of a relationship and this willl end it anyway.

i think people have big thoughts about weddings but when it comes down to it, very few women, particularly when older, have big enough family and friends groups to have the day they might’ve imagined without drafting in people on outside of their circle. I’m sure that’s what’s happened here. She must realise that with little true friendship involved, she can’t expect much back.

LlynTegid · 06/12/2025 15:46

Decline politely now. Former colleague, so it is not someone you have to face daily.

InBedBy10 · 06/12/2025 15:45

flibbertygibbet5 · 06/12/2025 15:42

How can you agree to a wedding when you don’t know the date? Maybe you have other important plans on that day? She’s left it very late to let people know about a wedding in February!

It sounds like she also doesn’t really understand the concept or etiquette of having bridesmaids and is just asking anyone. Very odd.

Could you message her along the lines of ‘can you let me have details for the wedding as I have a lot of stuff going on in February’ and when she tells you the date just say oh bugger that’s one of the days I can’t do, sorry, have a lovely day etc?

If it had been a long standing arrangement with a proper bridesmaid set up (ie dresses bought) then you would be unreasonable to cancel but it all sounds very wishy washy.

She asked me in October.. I was very taken aback and kind of put on the spot so just spluttered a yes.

We do know the date but thats it. We dont know times or location or what it is we are expected to do on the day. We have all asked her several times and she has just said everything is booked and she will let us know.

Its getting abit annoying at this point.

OP posts:
FastTurtle · 06/12/2025 15:44

Do you have the date but not anymore details?

flibbertygibbet5 · 06/12/2025 15:42

How can you agree to a wedding when you don’t know the date? Maybe you have other important plans on that day? She’s left it very late to let people know about a wedding in February!

It sounds like she also doesn’t really understand the concept or etiquette of having bridesmaids and is just asking anyone. Very odd.

Could you message her along the lines of ‘can you let me have details for the wedding as I have a lot of stuff going on in February’ and when she tells you the date just say oh bugger that’s one of the days I can’t do, sorry, have a lovely day etc?

If it had been a long standing arrangement with a proper bridesmaid set up (ie dresses bought) then you would be unreasonable to cancel but it all sounds very wishy washy.

tanstaafl · 06/12/2025 15:37

The sooner you send apologies, the sooner you move on and enjoy your Christmas and New Year.

Dont delay or you’ll find out 10 others have withdrawn and you’ll be trapped ( by your own guilt ) into attending.