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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Crappy bridesmaid

17 replies

Seashells47 · 08/01/2020 10:12

Hi, my friend is planning her hen do for when I’m on the unpaid part of mat leave, she wants to go away for it and I felt I could manage to earn/put away enough money to cover the hotel stay, travel and a little spending money so I said I was in. But now she’s asking for payments in advance for other things she wants to do on the night, the night is already adding up to about £140 and that’s before spending money. I was down for a night out in another city, I didn’t think she’d want to do loads of other things that have to be booked and add up. Nothing has been booked yet. I’m a bridesmaid so I really feel I should be there and I was really excited for it until all these other costs started getting mentioned, AIBU to just say I’m not going at all? There’d be no point in paying for the hotel and meeting them later because the extra things mean I wouldn’t be able to join them unless I pay, it’s either all or nothing. She thought it would be fine because because I’m still getting paid mat leave right now but it’s a bit expensive even now never mind when I’m not getting paid and I need the money now to put away for my unpaid. I feel like I’ve forked out so much already for this wedding I really can’t justify anymore, I’m not the one getting married. I just feel really shitty about the whole situation 😞 any advice?

OP posts:
Retroflex · 08/01/2020 10:15

Just be honest and tell your friend that because you're having to budget for unpaid mat leave and a newborn, her hen is a little bit more expensive than you can justify for a night away.

thejollyroger · 08/01/2020 10:16

Give her a call and explain that the costing just isn’t going to work for you and why. Then leave it in her court. She can either sub you, change the arrangements or accept that you won’t be there.

Thehop · 08/01/2020 10:16

Tell her you can’t afford to join in and will have a takeaway night with her when she’s back.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 08/01/2020 10:16

I dont think you'd be unreasonable for not going. However I really dont like the costs hen do's seem to incur these days, and ive declined a couple of invites where costs seem to be extortionate.

I know other people think differently to me though

Pinkyyy · 08/01/2020 10:18

Being a bridesmaid shouldn't cost you a fortune. Don't go.

krustykittens · 08/01/2020 10:27

Her hen do is not your priority. You can't afford it, simple as that, it doesn't make you a crappy bridesmaid. However, if she gets stroppy about your non-attendance, then that makes her a crappy friend.

Doodlebug5 · 08/01/2020 10:41

Ah my friend did similar - it was heading into the £200s and i was about to exchange contracts on a new build and jusy could not afford it. She never spoke to me again.

I dont understand this need to have such an expensive hen do.

Beautiful3 · 08/01/2020 10:43

Just be honest, that you can no longer afford to go. Maybe you can take her out for a meal nearer the wedding?

KaptenKrusty · 08/01/2020 11:25

if she is a good enough friend for you to be a Bridesmaid then surely you should feel comfortable enough to just be honest with her?

I wouldn't go if I was you either! I've just turned down a close friends wedding invite as I just can't afford to go - I was just really upfront with her in advance (I'm about to buy my first home an really need every penny I can get) I would have had to fly in to Dublin for her Wedding & then hire a car and drive 3 hours to the venue - plus book accommodation - it just spiralled and was looking like it would cost about 700£.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 08/01/2020 11:27

Hen dos are ridiculous

ButtonandPickle19 · 08/01/2020 11:28

If you’re good enough friends to be a bridesmaid then talk to her. I’m on maternity leave and every penny counts she won’t want you unable to support yourself in exchange for one night out

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/01/2020 11:28

Be honest and tell her as soon as possible- also mention your would take her out for dinner perhaps locally just the two of you instead.

Gazelda · 08/01/2020 11:32

Absolutely be honest with her. A good friend would understand and possibly be a bit embarrassed that she'd made things this awkward for her hens.

JosefKeller · 08/01/2020 11:37

hen dos are great as long as everyone wants to join in and enjoy themselves.

Making spend money you don't have to do things you wouldn't do otherwise is not right. Just tell her you cannot afford all that.

Just remember that it's so common for people to go abroad for a weekend, and generally spend a lot, she might genuinely not think hers is expensive. When it actually is.

AliasGrape · 08/01/2020 11:37

I had an expensive hen do - was never meant to be it was just me and a friend going away as we do anyway and I thought I’d extend the invitation to a few others but stressing there was absolutely no obligation/ pressure. It was also a big birthday for me this year too so I wanted to do this trip and thought it would be nice if others could join but understood that people might not want to/ couldn’t afford it/ would struggle with childcare or whatever else. My sisters and another friend came, quite a few couldn’t. One close friend who was also my bridesmaid couldn’t come - absolutely no problem.

I had a local/ cheaper night out closer to the wedding for anyone who wanted to just come for a drink/meal - again optional and some people came for the whole night some just popped in for a drink.

I think it’s fine to have whatever hen/ birthday/ wedding celebrations you like and can afford but you can’t act like attendance in mandatory or that your friendship is dependent on it. Hopefully your friend is a good friend and will understand you just don’t have the budget for it. She may be a little disappointed but if she reacts in any other way than ‘That’s a shame, we will have to have our own lower key celebration at some point’ then she’s not a good friend.

Winter2020 · 08/01/2020 11:39

I doubt you will be the only one that can't afford it. If you live near your friend she could have a local meal or night out to include all the people not coming on her big hen trip. You could suggest this.You could say that maternity leave rules you out of the big trip but you are up for something local. Whether you can afford it often involves some choice and it's ok if this is not your priority right now. It sounds as if the wedding itself is already expensive for you and you could point out to your friend that you will already be spending on the wedding travel/accommodation whatever and so can't afford much more on this.

Seashells47 · 08/01/2020 13:25

I think your ideas of taking her out for a meal or something later on would be a good compromise so I can still celebrate with her, or having another more local one would definitely be an idea I’m sure others would much appreciate as well. I will definitely suggest this if she’s sticking with her plan.

@Doodlebug5 that’s awful I can’t believe she stopped talking to you over that! What a crappy friend. Hope the same doesn’t happen for me 😬

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