First Meeting

Ehh skip it. Ive been i touch with bridal part through all text

Rica, No. how much is expected of me to spend is how much I can afford to. I’m not going to be expected to pay $500 as a BM if I can’t financially afford it. Everyone has different budgets, the BM are in charge of what THEY can afford, not the bride. If I was expected to spend $200 on a dress, $200-500 Bach party, I’d have to step down, that’s not in MY budget of what I could spend.

If plans are made a year In advanced, and the costs were above what I could afford, I’d step down, even knowing a year in advance. I’d rather step down, than to stress about each of MY purchases for the next year and such to make sure i could afford what the bride has laid out. A considerate brides asks her BP what THEY can afford.

My friend D can afford a getaway Bach party, I can’t, thus I wouldn’t expect one. She wouldn’t expect me to attend knowing I couldn’t afford to.

Rica, ask her. Say “This is what I can afford. Anything extra, I will not be able to participate. Thank you for the honor to be a BM.”

I’m direct, I have no issues telling friends and family what I can and can’t afford. If something is more than I can afford, it should is, but I’d rather be honest than try to do it and end up in a sticky financial situation.

Send an email. Simple.

It should take place the day before the wedding, the wedding party and their dates should be invited, also you doc and the officiant. It's called a rehearsal in case you have more questions

It's clear your BM is excited. That's a good thing!

Our first "meeting" was a group text where I sent them photos of all the dresses they can choose from. I didn't plan anything for us all to meet up and talk in person. It's hard to get a group of people together!

I agree with the others (for once) lol but anyhow you only need to meet up to go try on dresses&then maybe towards the end.I'm actually meeting with my bridesmaids groomsmen&etc this Saturday yo finalize everything and see who may walk with who and if they wanna setup a lil 2 step or something

Why would you need a meeting? It's not a business. Just text like you originally planned

No meetings are necessary

I've been a bridesmaid 4 times and have always just communicated with the bride and other BP members via group email. In 2017, that should suffice. The only "meetings" should be picking out dresses, the rehearsal, and the wedding day

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I am having a wedding party meeting I see nothing wrong I like everyone to be organized and prepared. Also it's a great away for all bridesmaids to meet one another and exchange numbers in case everyone has to meet up for dress fittings and everything else that comes along with being apart of a wedding. One meeting is good enough for me.

I planned my entire wedding from afar where I only saw my BMs for the dress selection, my bridal shower, my bachelorette, and one birthday party.

I don't think you need to meet but if you do, discuss general ideas for cuts and styles of dresses, your idea for the flow of the day, and maybe create a secret Facebook group to discuss things like the day of. Don't discuss budget as a group because it can be a really sensitive subject.

I do like the idea of getting together, maybe treat them to brunch or dinner (totally optional). To me, it makes sense to bond as a group... not necessarily to plan or work on wedding stuff... maybe they have ideas they want to share? Any excuse to have wine with the girls ;-) I feel like technology sometimes is used as a replacement to real in person interactions. For many, it is not possible to meet due to distance, and that's alright, but if the opportunity is there to get together why not?

Rica, the bride should either have asked every bridesmaid individually what her budget is and went with the lowest number or told you to pick out any dress in a certain color. If she didn't do either of those things then she's doing it wrong. Don't be afraid to not be a doormat and to speak up if she dictates your budget to you. You could also be proactive and tell her what your budget is now

My bridesmaids didn't even go dress shopping together. Life was way too busy for that. If you need to tell them something then pick up the phone and call or text. However you communicate with them now about non wedding things.

Why would there be a meeting? Just communicate with them through text or email, whichever they prefer.

I asked my girls if they could all meet for dinner one night. We picked far enough in advance and worked around everyone's schedule. We didn't talk wedding stuff! It was just about letting people meet. I think that's key, is it wedding related?

It wasn't necessary I know but we had fun.

I agree with LaprishaF. When I read the OP I thought the BM meant like meet the other BM...not like a business meeting! I've been a BM and appreciated at least having a face to put with the random frequent group text messages and strong opinions. Something informal is sufficient and many details are not necessary. Just a way for the girls to get to know each other. One I went to was a NYE party where we were all introduced. Another was a summer bbq. Another was on a ski trip in the lodge one night. None of these events were formed specifically for the groups but the group attended and got to meet each other and engage outside of wedding talk.