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Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedding!

turboflgrl

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
275
Never in a million years did I think I would ever have to be in this position. I've been worrying about it for weeks and yesterday was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. This is long... forgive me.

I've know this bridesmaid for about 3 years - we met working doing promotional marketing together and were very fast friends. Our friendship at the time was really based more on going out and having fun than any other type of connection but I guess I really didn't see it that way. I was engaged in February 2010 but wanted to wait to ask who my bridesmaids would be. We had gotten into a tiff months earlier before the engagement (long story but she was completely in the wrong, apologized over and over again, and I finally relented and forgave her). I won't get too far into it but what she did was nearly a friendship breaker. After all was forgiven, we began working on our friendship and it really seemed to evolve into something with a bit more substance than before. Fast forward to June 2010 - I asked her to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. She seemed shocked and surprised... thanking me and seeming so excited. Then it all stopped. Unlike a lot of brides, I have picked up the tab for nearly everything for my bridesmaids. The only things for them was hair, make up, and shoes. Now onto the concerns...

She was an hour late for bridesmaid dress shopping due to the fact that she was hungover. Unfortunately alcohol is an issue in her family and she is heading down that road along with pain pills... And for the record, I've mentioned my concerns on multiple occasions but she never listens... it's really sad. She seemed ok during the appointment until I realized her "cup of coffee" was actually a cup of wine. She wasn't stumbling around drunk but I was very embarassed that she would do this at a high end boutique!

We hadn't decided for sure on a dress that day since they were split as far as which one they wanted. When we finally decided, they needed to be fitted. She claimed her Mother was sick and she would have to take care of her on the day of the fitting which was scheduled weeks in advance. Her parents are not very old and not in bad health... and her Dad was with her Mom so we all had a feeling it was a lie. But, I didn't say anything and just moved on. She gave me APPROXIMATE measurements that she guestimated over the phone. I was so nervous the dress wouldn't fit ($280 Amsale), but oh well.

Then, my Maid of Honor started complaining to me that this girl was not involved whatsoever in the bridal shower or bachelorette planning which I wasn't all that concerned with at first. In fact, she told me that she wouldn't even answer e-mails, texts, or phone calls for weeks at a time. I know it's not a requirement but she wasn't even interested in sharing ideas with the other girls. It was hurtful. But again, I didn't say anything. I just figured she was busy so I tried to calm the other two girls down and smooth out the situation.

She was also the only one that did not want hair or make up done because she didn't want to spend the money. I knew she'd do that because she's very cheap on everything else. Money should not be a problem for her but alcohol takes up most of her budget unfortunately. I'm sad to say it but I see it first hand.

And here comes the BIG problem and when I finally began to see who she really was. My bridal shower invitations went out almost a month ago and was held yesterday at my Maid of Honor's mother's house. She called the MORNING OF the bridal shower and informed my Maid of Honor that she would not be coming because she was sick in bed. This girl plays sick all the time due to hangovers and other things so it's very hard to believe her when she says stuff. Maid of Honor was irate because this girl had responsibilities of bringing the drinks and now that responsibility again was put on the girls. This girl told my Maid of Honor to call me and tell me because she "was too sick to get out of bed and talk to me"... yet she can call the Maid of Honor? What a joke and to me, it just shows her lack of respect. Days earlier, she called and said she was planning to leave the shower early because she didn't want to "drive home in the dark". Then she said the only way she would stay the whole time is if her boyfriend could come... WHAT!?!!? So I offered my FI to entertain him during the shower. He rearranged his entire day to entertain this guy and neither showed.

Now I see who she is... NONE of this adds up to any of us and I'm just left feeling really upset. My wedding invitations to the wedding go out on Monday and I've decided not to invite her at all. She no longer a bridesmaid, not a guest at the wedding, and is definitely no longer a friend. Though really, I guess she never was. I'm shocked that I fell for her crap, I'm scared because we're 41 days from the wedding and I am now without her, and I feel sick that she has used me and I just let it happen. :blackeye:

I'm not even sure why I'm posting this.. I guess I just really needed to vent so for anyone willing to listen, thank you.
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

turbo-sorry to read this but it certainly seems like you made the right decision to not have her as a bridesmaid...
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

Sigh. How awful to be so excited and then have a "friend" prove to be nothing of the sort. :((

I'm often suspicious when people are mad at members of their wedding party, but this is the exception that proves the rule.
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

I'm sorry about the loss of your "friend"!
I'm sure you and the other bridesmaids will have a fantastic time at your wedding.
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

I think u should just tell her honestly or just ask her if she feels bad abt rejecting yr bridesmaid offer ... and thats why she accepted it but then have to face issues where she needs to spend the $$$ etc.

just tell her nicely that hmm seem that she is having some issues with family etc n as a friend, you shouldnt ask her to focus on yr wedding etc instead of her family n her health. Tell her u will like her to be at the wedding and enjoy herself... minus the wine part. lol

i guess when u speak in this manner, its better? I dont know. I am Asian so when we speak, we do not like to criticise people directly. We tend to think of their pride and 'face'. lol

But well i read yr last paragraph n realised u are not even inviting her to yr wedding. Sad that you are losing a friend this way or maybe even meet such a person.

Lastly, Enjoy yr wedding! its just 41 Days away!
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

You are a kind and thoughtful friend to have endured everything that happened up until the shower/etc.

From my viewpoint, your 'friend' did not want to be in your wedding and does not want to attend your wedding and instead of having the class to just tell you this, she acted so very badly that your other bridesmaids and then you would finally tell her that her presence (lack thereof) was not wanted.

You did the right thing. She does not want your friendship. She wants to drink without being asked to contrast her life/behavior with those of other women her age/place in life. Seeing you moving forward being married, being kind to her, having good friends around you as you become a married woman, this is too difficult for her. She wants to drink and she doesn't want anything or anyone around here who distracts her from it or 'makes' her feel badly about it. She's an alcoholic.

You won't hear from her again unless she gets into a 12-step program at some point in the future and contacts you for an amends phone call or visit.

BUT HEY! You're getting married! You have a lot of good girlfrieds around you right now and you obviously have a kind and friendly fiance too! Congrats, best wishes and enjoy to the fullest!
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who read my terribly long post and said such kind words. I'll admit, I've always been one of those people that questioned others about letting one of their bridal party members go as well. I guess now that I'm in this particular situation, I realize there are definitely always exceptions.

Stoniegrl - You hit the nail on the head with your description! I felt as if you knew exactly the type of person I was dealing with as soon as I read your post. Thank you.

I guess from here I just need to pick up the pieces and move on. My other two bridesmaids have been so gracious - I'm very lucky. And thank you so much for your supportive messages - I can always count on the PS ladies to cheer me up!
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

Ohhh my thats so rotten of her!! Rant on honey, but you are not in the wrong, and I would have told her to step down after she was "too sick" to attend your bridal shower. Her respect is awful!
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

That sucks she bailed on your bridal shower, and that you've had to "cut the cord" with one of your bridesmaids. I would be relieved, however, that you don't have to deal with any of her drama on the day of your wedding. She has proven to be unreliable and have a drinking problem. Who knows if she would have even been to your wedding on time?! I think you made a good choice that will help you avoid future headaches. Brides have enough to worry about without having to babysit an alcoholic in their wedding party.
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

As good/bad as it is, I feel like weddings often make or break some friendships/relationships.

I had 5 bridesmaids. Only two really were so amazing!! One was super disappointing and I am kind of struggling to still be friends because I don't even think she realizes what she did.

I am sad for you because weddings are so stressful anyway, and now this on top of it all! But we are all thinking of you! I think nipping this in the bud is better than having it explode at your wedding!

p.s. and you can be thankful for such a great Fiance who was willing to be there for you even if the friend wasn't :(
 
Re: Asked a bridesmaid to step down... 41 days from the wedd

Stories such as this always really touch me because I was you and I know how you feel. Down to the wire bride with a rouge bridesmaids you thought was a friend. Totally grade A sucks.

First of all I think it should be said that being a BM is a huge responsibility and those that do it, and do it well, are amazing. But I think often times for single/never married girls with little wedding experience to relate and pulling it together is really hard. For a bride, your wedding will FOR SURE show you who your friends are. So while i'm never "surprised" when someone flakes out, I am always sad.

Now for my advice....

When this is was me, back in 2007, weeks before my wedding and my "friend" started in with the covert, shady, sad stuff, I just sucked it up. Sure I vented, it's next to impossible not to, but I didn't cut her off or out or whatever. I let it all slide. That is probably my strongest regret when it comes to my wedding. I have a wedding video, and whenever I watch it, I am always struck by this one frame where the flaky bridesmaid is sitting in the hotel room giving me the look of death. She and I have never spoken again, and yet when I think of my wedding, I think of how things went down between us and how it would have been in my best interest to have parted ways when I first got the feeling she wasnt really willing to show up for me....

So I think you did the right thing...it's what you had to do and sometimes that's hard, uncomfortable and not ideal, but that's real life.
 
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