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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are we still friends?

255 replies

0ldchestnut · 16/03/2018 14:29

DP and I got engaged on NYE.
Initially I wanted to have 5 bridesmaids, however, we’ve decided on 3.
I’ve had to tell two of my close friends (who do not know each other) that it had been a hard decision but I cannot have them as bridesmaids.
1st friend was very understanding, she knew it was a hard decision that I’ve had to make and is happy to be a part of our big day.
2nd friend was not very understanding. Instead we have had a massive row over this.
She has been very judgemental and started comparing herself to the 3 girls I have chosen.
Kept on asking but why? “I’m shocked that you’ve chosen these girls over me, Ive been a better friend to you then they have.”

I’ve told her that she cannot compare herself, it’s my decision, please respect it. I was totally honest and told her that I feel closer to them than I am with her. After arguing over this, I suggested to meet up (when she has calmed down) and chat face to face as messaging can be a misunderstanding. After a couple of months, DF gets in touch and we plan a catch up.

During our catch up, she is still judging my friendship with these other girls and comparing herself to them. I told her the truth and said that I feel closer with these other girls and I that if we had got engaged a couple years back, she might have made the cut, or if I were to have 5, she would be one of them.
She starts to cry and tells me that I see “perceive this friendship” differently.
At the end of this, we hug and I say: I understand if you don’t want to be my friend anymore, I’ll give you some time to reflect.

I have not heard from her for a month now.

I don’t know what to do… Where I stand? What is she thinking? Do I make her a bridesmaid, just to save our friendship?
Should I message her even though I said give her time?

OP posts:
GetoutofthatGarden · 16/03/2018 16:26

I really don't understand all this angst about bridesmaids. My best friend(friends from childhood and promised each other we would be each others bridesmaidsGrin) picked another friend of ours who we both met as teens, over me. I was a bit hurt but would never have dreamt of questioning her decision, and I certainly wouldn't end a friendship over it. She did apologise just before the wedding and said she'd made a mistake, I was honest and told her it stung a bit but hey ho what's done is done.

peggy2467 · 16/03/2018 16:27

When did being a bridesmaid become such a big deal?
She's still going to the wedding and was never even asked to be OP's bridesmaid in the first place! So what's wrong with telling her she can't be one?
It really is not a big deal. It's just a label. I think your friend over reacted and should be looking at the bigger picture here-this is your big day, not hers. She needs to grow up and be happy for you.

Emily7708 · 16/03/2018 16:29

I don’t understand why you didn’t just have five bridesmaids, or why people say they can’t “afford” bridesmaids. Surely it’s just the cost of a dress? It’s not a lot compared to the cost of a wedding, and certainly not worth upsetting people over.

peggy2467 · 16/03/2018 16:30

I should add, everyone on here is commenting on OP saying if she could have five she would've chosen her, surely all of you have friends you would choose over others?
We all have friends we prefer to others and would rather have as our bridesmaid.

Lizzie48 · 16/03/2018 16:30

It's not the fact that you didn't ask her to be your bridesmaid, it's the way you dug a hole for yourself explaining your decision. Especially saying that she would have been chosen a couple of years ago.

You also didn't need to tell her that if you were going to have 5 bridesmaids she would have been one. It does sound like a selection process for a job.

She didn't behave well either tbf, she kind of pushed you into a corner. But there could have been more tactful ways to explain your decision. You could have asked the question on AIBU beforehand and had some tips on what you could say.

I don't know if it's salvageable now. It might be. My DSis told me she didn't want me to be her bridesmaid for her second wedding because she wanted everything to be different from her first wedding where I was a bridesmaid. I was hurt but didn't complain. She then left from our house after staying there overnight, but then her new DH thanked everyone involved in making the wedding involved except DH and me. I was very upset, and my eyes filled at that point but when DSis noticed, I gave her another reason why I was emotional. I never told her I was hurt at all.

Anyway, we're still close now, as at the end of the day I was happy for her that she had a lovely man after her abusive first marriage.

I actually think your friend hasn't handled this well at all, it's up to you who you ask to be your bridesmaids. You could leave it and then text her in a few days, say sorry for the way you handled it. Then you will have done what you can to put it right, IYSWIM.

SilverySurfer · 16/03/2018 16:31

Not sure if the friendship is salvageable. You made her feel like she's not as important to you as you are/were to her and she sounds a bit ridiculous making such a fuss.

Three bridesmaids sounds a good number, watching the US tv programme Say Yes to The Dress: Bridesmaids recently, someone had twelve! Shock

Teateaandmoretea · 16/03/2018 16:31

humph I've never been a bridesmaid does that mean that I have no friends? Grin

I think 3 adult bridesmaids is OTT personally. I had one, then it's harder for people to be offended. 5 down to 3 is brutal really.

GetoutofthatGarden · 16/03/2018 16:32

When did being a bridesmaid become such a big deal?

I know right, I don't get it. When my friend chose someone over me, once I saw how much responsibility she put onto her I was quite relieved she didn't pick me. I went to the wedding and had a ball, no responsibilites.

deptfordgirl · 16/03/2018 16:33

Oh bless her! It sounds like she's right and she considers it a closer friendship than you do. She's probably just being distant for self preservation as she feels hurt by it. I'm sure the friendship is salvageable although it wouldn't be a good idea to make her a bridesmaid now, it would be obvious it wasn't your first choice!

Lizzie48 · 16/03/2018 16:36

I had 3 bridesmaids (including my DSis in my case!) and didn't choose my oldest friend from uni. But I had her DS as my pageboy (6 years old), and she was happy with that as she had her hands full with 2 young DCs.

Megatron · 16/03/2018 16:36

I feel really sorry for her. I doubt it's salvageable to be honest, she sounds incredibly hurt.

FalconHeavy · 16/03/2018 16:37

I'd be prepared to bet the friend is more upset about having been told she is only 4th or 5th more important to someone whose friendship she clearly used to value.

Sarahjconnor · 16/03/2018 16:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Titaniumpins · 16/03/2018 16:38

I wouldn't offer her any other part in the wedding now as it would clearly be an after thought. Do you value her friendship a lot are you fairly close and see each other. The only thing you can do is fall on your sword and see what she says.

LadyinCement · 16/03/2018 16:46

Tbf, though, I don’t know why the friend made such a fuss, possibly forcing the OP to dig herself in deeper. Had I been the friend, I would have gulped inwardly and said, “I quite understand, ha ha, yes, of course you’re closer to Sophie/Jane/Rebecca now.” Then slunk off, been mortified, but maintained the friendship... albeit much less closely.

Titaniumpins · 16/03/2018 16:48

Yeah I agree @LadyinCement she did make too much of a fuss better to suck it up. I got dropped as MOH - my one shot to make the grade and got dropped in favour of the SIL family politics. I was hurt but sucked it up.

OlennasWimple · 16/03/2018 16:49

When the person I thought was one of my best friends had a similar conversation with me, it took more than five years to get over the hurt she caused me. Your friend needs more than a month to get over being told that "she didn't make the cut" Hmm

FalconHeavy · 16/03/2018 16:51

LadyinCement Even if the friend couldn't explain herself well at the time, I bet it's the principle of what's happened rather than not being a bridesmaid.

PrincessScarlett · 16/03/2018 16:52

What a mess!

Friend should not have presumed she'd be bridesmaid but the way you spoke to your friend OP was pretty crass. Giving her "time to reflect" may have been interpreted by the friend as putting distance between you. That is why you have not heard from her.

FalconHeavy · 16/03/2018 16:55

PrincessScarlett I think what the OP is saying in not so many words is that the friend was invited to be a BM and then uninvited.

Peeetle · 16/03/2018 16:55

My dd has had a similar conversation with a good friend - except it was about not being invited to a party and they are 11.

Cantusethatname · 16/03/2018 16:58

I would drop you too. It does read like you think you're something really special, sorry.

miyajima2018 · 16/03/2018 17:01

This is all incredibly childish! Who tells people they haven't made the cut to be a bridesmaid! Who did you think you were, Simon Cowell? This sounds like a ridiculous bridezilla-esque wedding and they are both fortunate not to be involved IMO!

Sorry but this is playground stuff. And no, asking her to be your bridesmaid a second time will NOT save your friendship.

Mammalamb · 16/03/2018 17:02

I can understand your friends hurt. But no idea why any grown woman would want to be a bridesmaid. I’ve did it several times and never enjoyed it

Stompythedinosaur · 16/03/2018 17:02

I agree that you haven't been kind.

Start by apologising and see if it's salvageable?

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