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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sacked as a bridesmaid

188 replies

rainbowsprinkle · 22/04/2019 10:58

So last week my SIL sacked me as. bridesmaid and I genuinely don't know whether IABU or her.

Just for context, I am a student and she is several years older than me and has lived with her fiancé for about six years. We were all delighted when he proposed last autumn because it's something she's wanted, and has made clear she's wanted, for a long time.

Anyway, there was an initial problem because she'd asked some family members to be bridesmaids (before the proposal) and changed her mind, leaving them pretty cross. As a consolation she told them that they could go wedding dress shopping with her, but on the week of the day said they couldn't come because there wasn't enough room in the taxi.

So - already some bad feeling in the family, but I was pleased to be asked and looking forward to it.

Even though the wedding was two years away I was asked to pay £60 for hair, £70 for make-up and £40 for specific coloured shoes. I said I would pay for hair and shoes but that I would do my make up myself. I'm good at it, and could definitely have done the make up she wanted, but she was cross about it (i should say that she's buying the dresses, which are £20 each).

Then a chat was set up to discuss the hen do. I won't have a car or an income, so said I would travel up to 90 mins (my mum would take me) and pay up to £150. Was this mean do you think? It felt in keeping with what everyone else was saying, and we found lovely properties that fit the bill. In the end, the bride chose something much further away. Those of us without transport were worried, so told her we would struggle to attend. She said she would do a meal for those of us who couldn't go, which was fine.

The last straw was finding out that she had been very critical and unkind about the fact that me and my bf got engaged. She had phoned and FaceTimed people to say that we had taken the shine off her wedding, had stolen her thunder, that it was her time to shine etc.

I contacted her to say that I'd heard about this and that we should clear the air, but instead I was sacked. I'm not worried about that really - in many ways it's a relief tbh - but if IABU then I need to apologise, because I always do if I'm wrong.

Again, for context, I didn't know that my bf was going to propose, it was a surprise. We've been together three years, so it felt right. We haven't set a date yet, so I don't think we've stolen her thunder and our wedding will definitely be after hers. I suppose that I have been talking about wedding stuff, because I'm excited, but imagined that we'd be able to talk about things together. She lives an hour away while we live in the same town as both of our families, so people have been taking an interest and asking lots of questions.

So in her last message she said that I had taken the attention away from her, that I had obstructed everything she'd planned, that I hadn't offered to help (I genuinely didn't know that she would need any help yet, absolutely expected to be helping with invitations and favours and things nearer the time).

So, I'm a lot younger than the other bridesmaids and feel that, if I've genuinely behaved badly or done something wrong, I need to make it right. So, AIBU?

OP posts:
Mememeplease · 22/04/2019 11:20

No you are not the unreasonable one.

Look at the funny side of the situation. She's barking and if she's already like this with two years to go, you are going to get a lot more fun out of this wedding debacle over the course of the next two years.

screamifyouwant · 22/04/2019 11:22

See I don't get this about brides it's unreasonable for the next 2 years to be all about her , so no one she knows is allowed to get engaged until she gets married ?
She needs to have a word with herself, I pity her poor husband to be .
Yanbu lucky escape I'd say .

BentBaastard · 22/04/2019 11:23

With any luck you won’t have to go to the wedding either

Win win 😬😬😬

Mummyoflittledragon · 22/04/2019 11:24

Of course yabu her wedding is going to be the only wedding of the decade. Too bad she’s getting married in the 2020’s. But you’ll be ok to wear a sack cloth and wait til 2030 won’t you? But do be aware you’ll only be allowed to get married then if she’s not getting hitched for the second time.

Congratulations btw and well done for getting sacked. You did well all round. 🤷‍♀️😁

Eustasiavye · 22/04/2019 11:25

You haven't done anything wrong.
She was being unreasonable expecting you to pay for your hair and make up doing.
Sounds like she's done you a favour.
Plan your wedding for whenever suits you best. Ignore her.

bouncydog · 22/04/2019 11:25

You’re not unreasonable at all. She needs to grow up. I really can’t understand the nonsense that goes into hen dos etc. Enjoy organising your wedding and let her get on with it. You’ve had a very luck escape IMO.

PlanBea · 22/04/2019 11:27

Firstly, congratulations on your engagement!

Next, you have nothing to apologise for. The bride (and groom!) Get one day. They chose to have a long engagement, it doesn't stop other people living their lives. My BIL and close cousin both got engaged during my engagement, not to each other!, and I was delighted for all of them. Love isn't finite. Joy isn't finite. People can be happy for both of you she was being very unreasonable.

Finally, if the bride dictates something, they should be paying for it. She could say "the hair is £40 if you want it done by my hairdresser", but if you must have those shoes/hair done properly, she should pay. Same as the dress. And even then, it's not a "gift".

Sounds like you've had a lucky escape!

EL8888 · 22/04/2019 11:27

She sounds hard work and l think you're better off out of it. The costs she were throwing around sound high, part of me wonders if you were in effect "contributing" to her make up, shoes etc. She should have been paying for the bridesmaids anyway

MrsEricBana · 22/04/2019 11:28

You have had a very lucky escape, not done anything wrong and been very clear about what you could afford etc.
Congratulations on your own engagement.

CoffeeConnoisseur · 22/04/2019 11:29

You’re not the first bridesmaid to be sacked from this wedding, and I doubt you’ll be the last. Enjoy not having to listen to her banging on about it for the next few years.

SecretMillionaire · 22/04/2019 11:30

You’ve had a very lucky escape. I’d be glad to be relieved of bridesmaid duties if the make up costs more than the dress and shoes combined.

Congratulations on your engagement and ignore SIL she sounds like hard work.

Raspberrytruffle · 22/04/2019 11:30

No yadnbu! Shes a bridezilla . Shes done you a massive favour, if it were me I'd be sighing with relief. You have not done anything wrong so dont feel bad if anything the bride is behaving appallingly

KC225 · 22/04/2019 11:30

Dear OP it's not you, it's her. She is five kinds of nuts with a crazy topping. I predict a bridal riot - there will be many more sackings and many more upsets. The Empress bride and stamp her foot and breathe more fire on her wedding kingdom and now you can look on and think 'Phew, not just me then'

Congratulations on your engagement OP.

Mumminmum · 22/04/2019 11:31

She wanted you to spend more than £300 on her wedding and was upset that you also have a life? You are soo lucky to be rid of her. Crazy woman.

Purplecatshopaholic · 22/04/2019 11:32

Oooft, I agree with others that you have had a lucky escape - you could have been dealing with this shit for years! Watch from the sidelines and snigger... she sounds like a nutter!

Mumminmum · 22/04/2019 11:34

I can guarantee that if you and she mend bridges, you will fall out again as she will be upset if you are pregnant at the same time as her or fall pregnant before her or get a child of the sex she wanted or because she secretly had dips on the name you gave your child or if you move into a nicer house than hers or or or. Don't let her back into your life.

CupOhTea · 22/04/2019 11:35

Holy fuck! She’s gone full bridezilla and sounds ridiculous.

Personally, I’d make all the right noises while backing away slowly from the whole thing. Hopefully she’ll wise up after the wedding. How do these people even cope after their weddings? Must be such an anticlimax after that much hype.

Just to clarify, how is she your sil? Your brother’s wife / fiancé or your bf’s sister?

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 22/04/2019 11:35

Oh god just be glad your out of it! do not accept when she asks you again because everyone else pulls out pissed off at her

Plan your wedding ignore theirs (politely) have a great time as a guest at theirs then enjoy your day when it comes.

Dumdedumdedum · 22/04/2019 11:35

Tell her to grow up.

MrsSpenserGregson · 22/04/2019 11:36

You sound absolutely lovely OP, and your SIL sounds like an absolute nightmare.

You don't get 2 years of attention when you're getting married. You get a day. One day! FFS.

YANBU at all.

julensaor · 22/04/2019 11:36

She sounds dreadful, she should be paying for hair and makeup. Trust me Op you are not missing out by being dropped as a bridesmaid, it can be a horrible job and if you are still invited, you will enjoy the day more without all that crap - remember that and be nice to your own bridesmaids!

Dumdedumdedum · 22/04/2019 11:37

Sorry - congratulations on your engagement and I'm sure you will learn from this how not to be a Bridezilla yourself (not that you sound as though you would be one anyway)!

HBStowe · 22/04/2019 11:38

I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong! She sounds like an absolute drama queen and a selfish cow, I think you will have dodged a bullet here.

Cheby · 22/04/2019 11:40

YANBU! And get your money back from her for the shoes etc.

acomingin · 22/04/2019 11:40

Sigh with relief, OP, and watch as her plans turn to dust around her.

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