Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Sarah
Just Said Yes October 2019

Accidentally added a friend to an email chain and now she thinks she is a bridesmaid.

Sarah, on August 16, 2019 at 5:42 PM Posted in Planning 0 20

Gals, I have epically screwed up. A few months ago I accidentally added a friend to an email thread where I was asking my bridesmaids about dresses. She chimed in with what dress she wanted, seemingly unsurprised by the randomness of the email, and then called me later, in the middle of the night saying "I guess this is you asking me to be a bridesmaid?" I should not have picked up the phone. It was the middle of the night. And I kind of half-confirmed what she was saying until I realized who I was talking to. Then, feeling like I was unable to backpedal, I confirmed she was a bridesmaid. I woke up the next morning and decided to just go with it and bought her a bridesmaid dress, but it has been eating at me. She does not have a good relationship with my fiance and our relationship is studded with some crappy history. I have tried to lob hints but she has not picked them up and it felt inappropriate to renege the bridal party invite, no matter how mediocre it was. Still, it feels wrong to imagining her up there with me, participating in all these intimate wedding events, and posing for all these photos that I'll have forever. Then, at my bachelorette party, all my bridesmaids were showering me with love and she seemed so put upon, asking me questions like how many outfits she needs for the wedding, sighing heavily when I told her (it's a multi-day indian event), complaining that we weren't in enough pictures and it's "like she wasn't even there," barely trying to get to know my friends, asking us to turn the music off in the party bus so she could nap, complaining about airfare and hotels (I am paying for everything for my bridesmaids besides airfare and a two night stay and a mid-tier hotel), asking why our airbnb "had to have a pool"....and I realized that I had unwittingly given her a burden, not a gift. So I tried to give her an out via email after the bachelorette, saying she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do and she doubled down on being a bridesmaid, saying she really wanted to go to an Indian wedding but that she doesn't have the luxury of being a doctor or a lawyer and not asking about cost (two of my friends are residents...not rolling in it by any measure of the word) She also told me she was surprised by some of the bachelorette costs (one nice dinner, drinks, and Ubers in wine country on top of regular costs). I was told my MOH was very transparent about costs but I paid her tab anyway. Finally, I came clean and told her about the email flub. She was embarrassed but mostly cared how many people knew. I was surprised she didn't ask me what I wanted -- if she had I probably would have told her I would rather her be a guest at my wedding, but if she wanted to remain in the bridal party I would understand, hoping she would take the hint. But she is historically bad at taking hints. She once came to visit me, got in a fight with my fiance on the first day, and stayed for three more weeks even though my partner was clearly unhappy about it, and no amount of subtle hinting could get her to shorten her visit. So now, I feel taken advantage of. I cannot imagine being a bridesmaid if someone told me I was accidentally included on an email thread three months ago. Including this woman in my wedding, obligating her to attend all the small intimate events, be in all these photos, giving her free hair & makeup and food, and R&B just seems so inappropriate. She is my friend, but I know like she feels like the sentiment of all this doesn't matter to me since I can "afford it" and that it will be embarrassing to her if she relinquishes her role as a bridesmaid since she's already told her co-workers and stuff that she is going. No one in my bridal party really knows about this. I'm still two months out from the wedding. Am I a bridezilla or is this woman being obtuse and taking advantage? How badly have I screwed up? I know I need to be more assertive but feel like I'll lose a friend if I'm direct. However, no amount of subtle hinting that maybe this is not what I want seems to work and my fiance and now my bridesmaids do not seem to like this person. What do I do?

20 Comments

Latest activity by Sarah, on August 17, 2019 at 3:40 PM
  • Mrsbdg
    Champion August 2017
    Mrsbdg ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    First, oh no what a nightmare!

    Second, no amount of subtle hint is going to replace explicit and clear communication. A lot of people can miss those hints and may just expect you’ll say precisely when something is unwanted.

    Lastly i think it’s gone on for so many months that you may be stuck with her. If you do choose to set her straight now I can’t imagine any semblance of a relationship could be salvaged.
    • Reply
  • Allie
    Master August 2019
    Allie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I agree. If you don't care about having a relationship with her after the wedding, directly tell her she is no longer in the wedding. Otherwise, you're stuck with her.

    • Reply
  • Michaela
    Super May 2020
    Michaela ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Yeah seems like you need to quit hinting. Every time you wrote "I hinted" I cringed a bit more lol

    You need to sit down and truly think about what you want. If it were me, I'd probably just leave her in the wedding party. But that's me being optimistic and I generally think more friends equals more fun. If you really truly don't want her in your party, you NEED to tell her ASAP. Straight out, "I'm really sorry that I led you on for so long, but I never wanted you in my party in the first place. I don't want to hurt you or end our friendship, but it is my wedding and you standing up is not in my vision." If she's a really nice person, she will be hurt, but will suck up her feelings and attend the wedding anyways. Or she might be too hurt to want to attend.

    • Reply
  • Cher Horowitz
    Master December 2019
    Cher Horowitz ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    If you really think she's a burden, you could ask her to just attend as a guest instead. Removing BP members ends friendships. If you'd rather not have a relationship with her anymore, I would just tell her bluntly. I'm sorry you're having to go through this!

    • Reply
  • Yam
    VIP September 2019
    Yam ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    She’s not a close friend and she already knows she was added on accident, you need to stop being passive about this. Certain people absolutely understand your hints but they’re not going to listen anyway. She’s already decided she wants to go to this nice wedding on your dime. You will absolutely regret this if you don’t stand up for what you want. I hate confrontation too but do you want to look back on your wedding photos and be reminded this wasn’t what you wanted? Speak up, put your foot down.

    Let her come as a guest if she wants.
    • Reply
  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I agree with this. OP, you need to be direct with her. From what you described above, she doesn't sound like a close friend anyway so would you really care if you are no longer friends? I think at this point she just wants to enjoy all your pampering and experience something new (your Indian wedding) on your dime.

    • Reply
  • Samantha
    VIP October 2020
    Samantha ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I agree on all counts!
    • Reply
  • Jennifer
    VIP October 2021
    Jennifer ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Tell her straight out. Don’t wait and have it ruin your day.

    I kicked my MOH out. Flat out told her *I* was the one getting married NOT her- *I* got to wear the white dress, NOT her. Sooooo didn’t want to see her( ruin) my day in pix and resent that I didn’t tell her to pound sand.
    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Whoa. and how did that go?

    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I am starting to feel like that. It is not a good feeling.

    • Reply
  • W
    VIP September 2020
    Willow ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    She is taking advantage. She can't be that obtuse. You came clean with her, and she's continuing this charade to preserve her ego and at your expense. She's just taking money from your wallet. I'd take her off, end the "friendship" if that's what comes down to it. She's being passive aggressive, guilt tripping you into being her sugar momma, and you're falling for it. Just no. Every time you see her in your photos you're just going to remember how she sucked you dry.
    • Reply
  • Jennifer
    VIP October 2021
    Jennifer ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    It was hard. But, when I’d given her 3 choices of dress colour & she insisted that she was wearing ivory( my dress colour)- Or navy, dark green.... and I said “Nope” Chianti, Quartz, Wine are the colours.
    She got mad and went off and said some hatefulness and I replied. I told her that her childish, petty, attitude about buying the “cheapest dress regardless of how it fits” was my final straw and I told her “You can come as a guest, but are not welcome to be part of the wedding party..” This was after her demanding that she be the one to “okay” the venue, cake, etc. I was like “Ummm, I’m not marrying You, so only one who gets That say is my FH”

    We aren’t friends anymore. I am sad that the friendship is lost, but it basically was when she married the controlling jerk she did, but relieved and the weight is lifted from my chest abot her in the wedding.
    • Reply
  • C
    Just Said Yes August 2022
    Clervia ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    My personal opinion? This is your wedding and thats the focus needs to be about. I agree with everyone. She knows it was a mistake so taking her out should be no more a surprise to her. If you think it's too much a burden, be direct with her and tell her ”look love wrestled with telling you because of our friendship but I would prefer if you can just be a guest at my wedding if you'd like to attend after this convo. I'd really like you to attend my weeding but I'm not sure its in our best interest for you to be in the wedding party.” You can word it in the way that best fit your relationship with her but your wedding is an event you will forever look back on. Do what's best for you and your Mr Right. But also for your peace of mind.
    • Reply
  • Kirstin
    Dedicated June 2021
    Kirstin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’m with everyone. Just be straight forward. If she is a friend like you said she will understand and still be there as a guest. If she’s not a friend, better to know dinner rather than later... I get that losing friends is hard, but like you said, those pics are forever and you don’t want people that you don’t trust with you! Your bridal party should be there for you whatever the cost... good luck, I hope she IS a friend and understands!
    • Reply
  • Regina
    Just Said Yes September 2019
    Regina ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Yes, you are going to have to be direct with her. This is your day
    • Reply
  • Amanda
    Savvy July 2020
    Amanda ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Tell her you don’t have enough groomsmen or that one of them backed out and don’t really have anyone to replace him.
    • Reply
  • Haley
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Haley ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Taking advantage for sure! The way she is acting it’s more about her than you. Sure it was a mess up and it got a little far but she should care what you wanted when you told her. I am a very matter of fact person, so I would just tactfully say that you no longer want her in your party because of yours and the grooms wants and the way that she is handling the gift of being a bridesmaid (very selfish). You can pinpoint things she’s done if need be. If she chooses to also not be a guest at your wedding then so be it.
    • Reply
  • Florida Marlins
    Expert October 2017
    Florida Marlins ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I agree with this. It was months ago, you let it go on too long, she is a bridesmaid.

    • Reply
  • Colleen
    Master September 2019
    Colleen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I don’t think she know it was on accident. She said she has not told anyone.
    • Reply
  • Sarah
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Sarah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    She knows. I told her it was on accident.

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

WeddingWire article topics