Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

E
Just Said Yes August 2023

My bridesmaid is pregnant... am i being fair here?

Ellie, on May 1, 2023 at 8:21 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 7
Hi all,


So I have a bit of a dilemma! My fiancé's sister is a bridesmaid in our wedding, and she's recently announced she's pregnant. I'm over the moon for her, especially as she didn't think she would be able to conceive naturally and was planning to start ivf next year.
The dilemma is that as the wedding is now only 12 weeks away, we had already purchased bridesmaids dresses and the dress will not fit her now. As a new dress from the shop we purchased them from would take up to 16 weeks to arrive, buying a new one in a bigger size was not really an option, and making a too small dress bigger through alterations is a challenge that can't always be completed as I'm sure many of you here know.However, I have managed to find what I think will be a solution by ordering her a dress from the same place and in the same colour/material from Ebay which is unused, unaltered and in a larger size. Its not quite the style she initially picked unfortunately, but she says she's not too bothered by that.
I have paid for all of my bridesmaids' dresses (including the new dress from Ebay) and was planning to pay for alterations for them too. As I'd been careful to make sure they all measured properly beforehand, I thought the only alterations that would likely be needed would be the shortening of the hems and then perhaps a few minor tweaks like the waist being taken in a bit or a strap being made a little tighter. I therefore only held back a small-ish budget for the bridesmaids' alterations. She doesn't have any quotes yet, but as the new dress is now going to need to be restructured to accommodate a baby bump and then probably made much smaller for her shoulders and so on, I'm predicting that the alterations she'll need will be way over the budget I've got, especially as I've also paid for a second dress now. I was thinking perhaps as I've paid for the two dresses, I could maybe explain that the budget is tight now (and it is tight!) and kindly ask if she could cover any costs of alterations that are over the budget I already put back had for them? I don't want her to feel she is being punished for being pregnant, but at the same time, I do feel she could perhaps have offered to contribute at least a little to the new dress, as whilst I know it is not her fault really, I'm a bit bummed that I've wasted 120 pounds on the first dress when money is tough as it is and weddings are expensive (can't be returned or exchanged as made to order).
Do you think this is a totally unfair or rude thing to ask? What would you do in my situation?

7 Comments

Latest activity by Cassidy, on May 5, 2023 at 9:34 PM
  • Jordan
    Just Said Yes October 2024
    Jordan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I definitely don't think it would be rude to ask her to pitch in, i think it's all in how you talk to her about it. explain to her in a one on one that you really just can't afford it and could use a little help. be sure to express that this isn't in any way a punishment and that your really excited to have her AND your niece/nephew standing up there with you on this special day.

    • Reply
  • Michelle
    Champion December 2022
    Michelle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Are you in the US? Because outside of Europe/Australia, bridesmaids pay for their own attire and alterations. The couple paying for everything is a recent social media trend that is not budget friendly or feasible for the majority, especially when they have other expenses to cover. In the US, the bridesmaid should be asked to cover all attire expenses. In the UK, the rules depend on what local etiquette is. Does the couple cover all expenses no matter what the situation? If so, then you will have to grin and bear it if it is a faux pas for bridesmaids to pay. Having emergency funds for situations is something that the hosts do and they don’t ask the attendants to cover that (where it is not common or acceptable for them to do so). A friend being pregnant requires accommodation on your part.



    • Reply
  • L
    Lady ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I think it's crappy to make her pay for it if you didn't make others pay. Things happen and budgets need to be adjusted. I would pay for it 100%

    • Reply
  • C
    CM ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I assume you live somewhere it is customary to pay for bridesmaids dresses. If that's the case, I don't think it's any different than someone who has to make unexpected changes when she's paying for her own. Things happen. That said, in her place I would offer to pay the difference, while in yours I would turn her down.

    • Reply
  • Valerie
    Dedicated April 2023
    Valerie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Unfortunately life happens, and it doesn't care about or stop for weddings. Smiley sad. Unless you live somewhere where it's expected for brides to pay for the dresses (which is not the case in the US), you just basically chose to put yourself in a bad position if anyone loses/gains weight, gets injured, gets pregnant, has to back out of the wedding, or any number of things that could affect the dresses and your budget... I think you're kind of stuck here unless she offers to help cover the cost.

    • Reply
  • M
    Savvy January 2022
    Mallory ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    You have no idea how much weight she is going to gain or where. Her original dress may fit her or alternations could be minimal - you're worrying about a problem that doesn't exist yet. Wait and see until you're about 4 weeks out and she goes to the tailor, there's nothing that can be done at this point.

    • Reply
  • C
    Master January 2019
    Cassidy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I’m not sure how far along she is but, she may not need too many alterations. Even if she’ll be around 20 weeks she may not have that large of a bump. I was still quite small at 20-24 weeks and only really popped around 28/third trimester. I know everyone different.
    Try not to stress too much but also find a way to cover the costs.
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics