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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Probably being a bridezilla but...is my friend being weird!?

167 replies

NCjustincase123 · 16/03/2018 12:16

NC, although it won't help much if she's reading, as this is full of outing details Blush

DP and I got engaged just before Christmas Smile

My closest friend (of 25 years) was in on the secret, giving the ring her nod of approval back in October.

2 weeks after we got engaged, her DP proposed. They've been together 10 years, and it sounds like it was spur of the moment; he bought the ring the day before.

Truthfully, my instant reaction was, oh...weird timing Confused, followed by immense happiness for her.

I assumed that she'd also recognise the funny awkwardness, and we'd have a laugh about it and move on.

...This is where it gets odd.

She's been so cold with me since her engagement...telling me about the proposal in a group chat, skipping over all of the juicy details, and jumping straight to mentioning that she'll probably opt for a wedding date within the same month as mine this year.

I'm well aware that I can't bagsy a whole calendar month(!) but I just assumed she'd want to put a bit of distance between them, given our friendship groups have some crossover, and 2 x weddings within a couple of weeks of each other will put financial strain on a lot of attendees.

As it happens, she's now opted for early summer date, the hen will be in a few month's time.

She asked which dates I couldn't do for the hen - there was only 1. The hen is now being held on that date, as it's the one "most people can attend on". The thought of not being there makes me feel pretty gutted, but obviously doesn't mean a great deal to her. There was no apology just a 'you won't miss much' text.

I should point out that she's my MoH.

She's taken a complete inactive stance in the whole MoH thing...I've arranged my own hen, and even though she knows I've bought the dress, she showed no interest and didn't ask to see pictures of it. I invited her to a Pinterest board where her and our other friend who's my only other bridesmaid can pin dresses they might like to wear, and she's not accepted the invitation.

I've offered her help with her planning at every opportunity, but she's not taken me up on any of it (which is fine, I know some people like to knuckle down and go it alone).

It's all just so out of character, as we've been talking about our weddings since we were little.

I'm a major confrontation dodger, but do I have to say something?

I feel so down about the whole thing. I never imagined either of our weddings being organised without each others help or presence, and feel really strange about her being my MoH.

I've drafted a message basically saying how I feel the dynamic has shifted to an unhealthy place etc etc, and how much I care for her and would ultimately regret missing a milestone like her hen.

Totally on the fence about sending, as we're in a very walking-on-eggshells kinda place right now (help!)

OP posts:
NewImprovedNinja · 16/03/2018 12:19

Yes it's weird and I say that as someone who isn't a wedding type of person.
Don't let her spoil your moment and consider finding a new MoH.

ihatethecold · 16/03/2018 12:21

She sounds weird and quite self absorbed. Possibly jealous that you were getting wed.
I’d move on from this friendship.

Thistlebelle · 16/03/2018 12:23

Don’t send a message. Go and see her and ask if everything is ok.

HairyToity · 16/03/2018 12:24

Don't say anything. Just rise above it, and enjoy your wedding. Life is too short to worry over her reaction.

pudcat · 16/03/2018 12:24

Perhaps she is having second thoughts about her own wedding, or maybe she is worried that you might think she is copying you. Are you a bridesmaid for her? If you are really good friends then you need to have a talk about it and if she refuses or is still the same, it is time to find a new MofH.

TheDailyMailIsADisgustingRag · 16/03/2018 12:25

Could it be that she doesn’t want to or can’t have you as MoH for some reason and is worried about telling you? That’s the only thing I can think of other than a touch of the Envy.

manicinsomniac · 16/03/2018 12:25

Could she be really embarrassed about the timing of her own engagement? Especially if she didn't know her fiancee was going to propose, she may now be paranoid about 'stealing your thunder' and be deliberately glossing over details and keeping her distance to avoid treading on your toes. It's exactly the kind of awkward social mess I'd make of the situation!

Or she could just be being a bitch, I don't know!!

I wouldn't send the text. If she's a close enough friend to be your MoH, I'd ask to meet for a coffee and have an honest chat about what's going on.

Corblimeyguv · 16/03/2018 12:34

Yep, second pps who suggest a face to face meeting.

And yes, it’s weird and not nice. Unless that face to face completely puts things back on track, I would suggest you ask her whether she still wants to be MoH (you could suggest that you would understand if she has too much going on with her own wedding preparations, so does she still feel she can fulfill the MoH role etc). If she has “too much on” and cannot step up to the role then you have a way out that doesn’t offend her.

Good luck, and congratulations x

theeyeofthestormchaser · 16/03/2018 12:34

I wouldn't send the text. If she's a close enough friend to be your MoH, I'd ask to meet for a coffee and have an honest chat about what's going on.

This ^^

But if you don't like her answers, be prepared to sack her as MOH and find a new one.

Creambun2 · 16/03/2018 12:37

Are you more middle class than her OP?

CaffeineAndCrochet · 16/03/2018 12:39

Could she resent the spur-of-the-moment style her proposal was compared to the thought your DP seems to have put into it? Maybe not just the proposal itself, but the timing could be throwing up comparisons between her relationship and yours that's making her jealous or uncomfortable.

wildduckhunt · 16/03/2018 12:42

I wouldn't send the message unless she won't be happy to meet you for a chat over coffee/drinks.

I'd be prepared to ask her if she's entirely happy being your MoH because the impression she's giving is that it's an inconvenience.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 16/03/2018 12:42

Agree. Ditch the text and ask her for a coffee/glass of wine and talk about it.

peoplearepeople · 16/03/2018 12:43

I wonder if maybe she feels like her wedding and engagement will be compared to yours in some way and she's feeling a bit inferior? Maybe she can't afford the kind of wedding that you are having, or just isn't actually that keen on the whole wedding thing anymore?
It's also possible that she suspects her partner only proposed to her because he was spurred on by your engagement? I've seen this happen to a lot of people. Especially if they have already been together for 10 years. She/He might have been getting comments about it being their turn next etc.
Regardless, you really need to have a chat to her about it. I think it's more possible that she just feels bad in some way about it rather than she's just being a bitch.

TheDailyMailIsADisgustingRag · 16/03/2018 12:43

Forgot to say, I also think you should try a face to face chat before sending the text. If that goes nowhere then text away and maybe ask her if she still wants to be MoH.

CrochetBelle · 16/03/2018 12:43

You say she's your closest friend, but are you hers?

Do you live close, literally, or are you childhood friends who have drifted apart (in her eyes)?

CaffeineAndCrochet · 16/03/2018 12:44

Or... what's she like in real life? Does she like having a fuss made or prefer things low key? If she prefers low-key and you're trying to share and bond over the 'juicy details', maybe she's just uncomfortable with the fuss.

I'm recently engaged and at the moment, DP and I are quietly looking at wedding venues together. It's not taking up a huge amount of time or energy for either of us. We met up with friends a while ago and all we got was wedding talk all night. It was awkward for me. I don't like being centre of attention and I don't want to let other people in on what we're planning until we have actually planned something.

Bibidy · 16/03/2018 12:45

100% ask her. I'd message her asking if everything is OK as she seems a bit quiet lately. Hopefully she'll spill.

I don't think you should mention her hen as it genuinely may be the best date for everyone to do.

ittakes2 · 16/03/2018 12:46

You consider her your closest friend - but does she consider you the same? I’ve had best friends were I knew I considered them my best friend - but they’d already had a best friend ages when I met them so I accepted I was lower on the order of best friends for them. Has she asked you to be her moh? Maybe she feels uncomfortable that you have asked her and she plans to ask someone else.
It does seem like some sort of jealousy though - I do think you need to raise it with her. If you are such good friends - choosing a hens night date which you can’t make sounds odd.

Narnia72 · 16/03/2018 12:46

I had a friend who'd been with her partner for a bit longer than me and DH. DH proposed first, and she got engaged within weeks of us; our wedding was first and I asked her to be really involved - she was weird in the run up and on the day. Her wedding was in Ireland - we went - I was 6 months pregnant but perfectly mobile and functioning. At the wedding service the priest invited me up to read - I had no idea, and no reading. After some embarassed glances another friend of hers got up instead and read.

Afterwards she'd said to me that she wasn't sure I'd have been up to it, so had decided not to ask me, but forgot to tell the priest.

Since then she has vanished from my life. I kept trying to make the effort, but the only contact I had was the day after she had her first baby she sent me a text to let me know. I hadn't even known she was pregnant.

It became a bit like a competition for her - I wasn't bothered who got married first, or when anyone had babies, but it seemed that I'd "won" the race at both and she couldn't bear it.

She was one of my best friends at the time. 10 years later I still miss her.

Dobby1sAFreeElf · 16/03/2018 12:46

Face to face would be better, but if you really can't face it and text is very normal for your relationship (I have a few mates that are very much deal with everything by text so it wouldn't be odd with them, others it totally would be), then I'd suggest you say something along the lines of what cor has suggested.

Congrats Flowers

LagunaBubbles · 16/03/2018 12:47

Don't say anything. Just rise above it, and enjoy your wedding. Life is too short to worry over her reaction

But she is still officially MOH, of course the OP needs to talk to her.

HuskyMcClusky · 16/03/2018 12:48

Are you more middle class than her OP?

What on earth could that have to do with anything? Confused

TheDailyMailIsADisgustingRag · 16/03/2018 12:49

I felt the same as you @caffeine when Dh and I were wedding planning. I had a couple of acquaintances who had got married the year before and they loved chatting about weddings in the run up to mine, (mostly, comparing theirs to each other’s and asking what I’d be doing the same / differently). I had to actively avoid them at parties tbh, as I actually found it quite boring and had absolutely nothing to add to the conversation.

thecatsthecats · 16/03/2018 12:49

*2 weeks after we got engaged, her DP proposed. They've been together 10 years, and it sounds like it was spur of the moment; he bought the ring the day before.

Truthfully, my instant reaction was, oh...weird timing confused, followed by immense happiness for her.

I assumed that she'd also recognise the funny awkwardness, and we'd have a laugh about it and move on. *

To me, there is no 'weird timing' or 'funny awkwardness' in these circumstances, and nothing to move on from. I don't like the phrase 'stealing thunder' as it suggests there's only a finite amount of happiness you can have, and you can only be happy for one person at a time.

Likewise with the wedding timing - there's a reason weddings are more expensive in the summer - it's popular! The wedding being in the same month might be tricky for a number of friends, but she'll also have a whole family to cater to, and the groom's friends. I have been to plenty of weddings from separate friend groups all in the same (again, summer) months.

So I don't think you can bracket those things under the same umbrella as the rest.

Having said that... the other stuff is weird. The hen do one is a little awkward, because the 'date most people can do' stance does sometimes leave an important person out, which is why you usually check with them before throwing it out to the less important people.

Is it remotely possible that your possessiveness over moments/months is at all coming over to her?

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