Wedding ventFollow

First of all, shoes.

Second, I totally understand. I have been a bridesmaid three times, and I only ever put my foot down about one thing: those stupid matching wraps that are so goddamn tacky and unimaginative I just want to cry. I've paid to have my hair done, makeup done, I have three dresses hanging up that I actually do wear but cost me about $650 all together, and have spent thousands on plane tickets, lunches, drinks, lingerie and housewares for assorted bridey-type functions. It's a pain in the ***.

Third, I've recently been a bride in the full, frilly sense of the word. I love my sister to death, but she was stressed out for most of the period leading up to my wedding and it made me feel really guilty about even asking her if she had bought a dress. When she did, she complained about the cost of it, the cost of the shoes, and I felt awful because she picked them all out with no stipulation. She came through in the end, but she was worn out and ready for it to be over, and I could tell. The fact that my sister-in-law smilingly and sympathetically did everything I asked for and then some (spending beaucoup bucks on both a tiny tux for her son, a full-size tux for her hubby and dresses for her daughter and herself, paying for my honeymoon hotels, coming from VA for my shower and always understanding that no matter how high-strung and insane she felt with the entire thing I was ten times worse) elevated her to sainthood in my book. I knew she would rather not have done it, but her attitude spoke volumes about her love for me and her care for my state of mind. She was efficient and reliable and fantastic, and I will have that memory all my life.

No one likes it. I hated the process of planning it and the week leading up to it was one of the most stressful of my life but I would do it all over again just for the delicious, voluptuous, technicolor memory of it.

After having been in both my sisters weddings, I eloped.

She's three, what does she expect??

When my husband and I got married, we forwent the flower girl and ring bearer, as we didn't know any small children we could steal for the parts. But I wanted to share with you what the preacher said at our wedding reception. You should pass it on to your sister.

He said, "You cannot ***** up a wedding. Unless you show up shit faced and ********* the bride, you cannot ***** up a wedding."

Your daughter will probably run around, get nervous, and come back to where you are int he procession. And everyone at the reception will talk about how adorable she was and how sweet it was that she wanted her mommy so bad. It's part of having a kid in your wedding.

Was a groomsman for the first time last year. Never knew you had to pay for your own tux. But then they give you a fancy groomsman gift. Why not just keep the gift and pay for my tux instead? The monogramed cufflink industry doesn't need more dollars.

Bah, You and Smash go get drunk.Have fun.Then go home and ring your own "bells"

Just tell her you can't make it.

I BET KATHERINE HEIGL HAS SOMETHING TO SAY HERE.

Get the style#, color, size, etc from the store and find a cheaper one online. It may have been already worn, but she doesn't really have a leg to stand on if you explain that it's the exact outfit she wanted, only more to your budget.

Also, unless you and your wife are part of the wedding party, she doesn't get to pick what you wear. If you are standing up (maid, groomsman, etc) then yes, those pay for their own dresses/tuxes. Always have. Still, most brides will give a lower-cost option if approached, or let you out of the party if the expense is too much to accomodate.

Edited, Jan 20th 2008 7:44am by Atomicflea

Ummm, if this it truly the case, you may want to check into this 'character' business rather than just'riding it out'. People don't change because they get married. Once you say "I do", forever is a looooong, looooong time.