Stuck with bridesmaid dress?

Haven't had this experience, but this really sucks! If you've already purchased the dress and then told you won't be in the wedding, the bride (or couple) should reimburse you for it. I'm not sure what their circumstances are or reasons for asking you to step out of the wedding (did they call off the wedding or did they just decide to downgrade their wedding party?), but they should at least compensate you for your investment, so maybe contact them and ask them to do so? Or can you call DB and ask them to cancel the order?

I think if you talk to the store you could probably get in store credit at least.

If they just downgraded the wedding party, maybe you could see if all the ones who are still in the wedding have their dresses, if not, see if one of them want to buy it?

Off topic, but its surprised me- Why would you pick a color you don't like as one of your wedding colors?

I'd contact the store and explain your situation - the worst they can do is say no.

If multiple girls were asked to step down and they have their dresses but the store won't allow returns or exchanges; maybe you can all go in together and try selling them. It might be great for a wedding party that is still looking for dresses. What color are the dresses?

Have you tried calling to see if you can cancel it? It might still be possible. If you push hard enough, they'll probably let you return it for store credit. You could just get a nice dress instead. I think they also sell bras, and there are shoes. So maybe you could find something to use it on.

I would 100% tooth and nail fight the bride and groom to reimburse you for this. If there's a group of you who got "downsize" (WTH) then they should pay for your dresses.

NewestHess, it sounds like she's a bridesmaid and probably got told what color to pick from the bride and groom.

Lia, I definitely agree with jnissa. If the bride/groom downsized their wedding party after they already told you guys what to go buy, they should be reimbursing you (not sure what the etiquette is here, but that's my two cents).

If the bride "downsized " you out of the wedding and you had already purchased the dress, she should pay you back. Absolutely, it is her responsibility. You should not have to eat the cost of a dress you will never wear.

The bride downsized the bridal party to cut down on costs, they're having financial issues (of their own doing- they planned a far more expensive wedding than they could afford, and they were trying to do things like pay for professional hair/makeup for 6 bridesmaids, and rather than cutdown on costs, they just cutdown on people). As a result, they are "unable to cover the costs" for us as they put it.

I called David's Bridal and they said they will only do an even exchange, once the dress comes in. I find it hard to believe they can't cancel an order before I've even received the dress. Once it comes in, that leaves me to exchange it for a formal gown I don't need or want or keeping a green bridesmaid dress... These are less than ideal options. I'm trying to decide whether to do the exchange, take the dress and try to sell it, or push and try to get a refund.

Oh.Hell.No.

This to me would be a friendship ending move. You cut me from your wedding party because *you* were having financial issues and then you stuck me with the cost of a dress that *you* picked out? I sincerely hope that at a minimum you and the other girls are helping them to "cut their costs" by not attending the wedding as guests and not buying gifts.

Maybe they will do an even price exchange, meaning you don't need to look at their formal gowns. Check out their party dresses, some of them are pretty cute. I bought 3 short dresses for my bachelorette party, shower, and rehearsal dinner from there.

Wow that is so horrible. I'm sad that this has happened to you I would try and push DB. At least you may be able to exchange for a shorter cocktail dress that will be more versatile? I'd try to get all of the details from DB on their policy, like how long you have to exchange it, etc. Maybe if you go in person too, you may get more results?

The bride would get a bill if I couldnʻt get my money back.

That's not a bad idea Melissa- at least I could find a couple dresses I'd actually wear that way. I'll definitely be going in person and seeing if I can get a better response that way than I did over the phone too, LadyMonk.

I exchanged a dress - I had to exchange it for something of equal or higher value. They do have cute cocktail dresses, so maybe you can get that!

Off topic, but I don't understand why you were cut for financial reasons. The bride could have just not paid for your hair/make-up and let you do your own. I spent little on my bridesmaids - I bought them gifts and paid for the hotel room we all stayed in, but that's it. Cutting them out would not have cut down my costs significantly at all.

I would start by contacting them and letting them know the situation and that despite their financial troubles, you have already committed financially. then give them the option of buying the dress for another BM or simply refunding you the costs.

Erica- I think it's because the bride has a vision of her perfect day. She originally offered to pay for hair/makeup, shoes she picked out for us, and mani/pedis for the day. She then asked us all to pay for our own. Several of us explained we could not afford $200 for hair/makeup, $80 shoes, and mani/pedis (plus her MOH requested we each chip in a LOT for an extravagant bachelorette party). We asked if we could just do our own hair/makeup/nails etc. We were then told we were no longer needed in the wedding party, and they cut the same number of groomsmen to make the sides even. It has ended the friendship, as they were very greedy and rude. I haven't heard from them sense, and don't envision them repaying me for the cost of the dress.

Oh, heck no. The bride and groom need to reimburse you for that. Then they can deal with the dress. "I changed my mind" is not an acceptable reason to cut people who have spent their money on you.