A semi-good friend cornered me one day (about 11 months ago) and told me that her feelings had been hurt that I had not asked her to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Not really knowing what to say, I told her that she was more than welcome to be a bridesmaid. She paid for her dress and it came in almost 6 months ago. I picked it up from the store and have kept it at my house for the past six months waiting on her to come pick it up (she lives 4 hours away). She has still not come to get it and the wedding is less than a month away. She has called at the last minute to cancel on all wedding events (engagement party, showers, tea, dress fittings, etc). I finally asked her earlier this week if she even still wanted to be in the wedding, and she told me no. She said her life is too sad right now (her fiance broke off their engagement about 2 years ago and she hasn't been able to get past it). I have another friend who can fit in the dress, and is willing to take her place, but she do not have enough money right now to pay the original bridesmaid back for the dress. Since she backed out last minute and was willing to leave me stranded with one less bridesmaid, and since I have been storing the dress for the past 6 months, am I required to give her her money back for the dress? She's not ever going to wear it, and the dress shop will not refund her money, and I have a friend that is willing to wear it. I hate to ask the new bridesmaid to part with the money for the dress since she now has three weeks to pay for the alterations, shoes, hair, makeup, etc.
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Mar 23, 2007, 8:07 PM)
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Mar 24, 2007, 5:53 PM
Post #2 of 2
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Re: [BethBride] Bridesmaid Backed Out
[In reply to]
Dear BethBride,
You are not required to give her money for the dress, but it is hers to do with as she wishes. Plus, you don't have to replace her. It is perfectly fine for the two sides to be different. But, if your sad friend doesn't want the dress, then it is yours to do what you want with it.
Bridesmaid Backed Out
