15 January 2024 , 12:19
867
0
Being asked to be a bridesmaid for your best friend is an honour, as it's a testament to the friendship you hold. But things can quickly turn sour, especially when your best friend turns into a "bridezilla" in the run-up to her special day.
That's exactly what happened to one bridesmaid, who was ordered to sign a 28-page contract agreeing to the bride's every wish, desire, and reasoning. Taking to Reddit, the 35-year-old explained how her friend, Laura*, is set to walk down the aisle in April.
She said: "I have known her since college, and her fiance, James*, is a great man so I happily agreed. We began planning everything, having multiple meetings to make sure we all were up to date on all plans. She is a bit of a neat person and very organized. She made all five bridesmaids and her maid-of-honour a binder of our duties and we put in information about the wedding for future reference."
Within the binder, there's a section outlining what pre-wedding events require gifts and a list of present suggestions alongside their "acceptable" price range. She added: "A bachelorette party requires a gift of at least $100 (£78) and includes bags, shoes, clothes, etc. Wedding shower is a required gift minimum of $50 (£39) and some type of "expensive alcohol".
But just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, she was presented with a list of 'things to work on before the wedding' - including everything from losing weight to changing her eye colour. She said: "One of the biggest issues - our required look. This we got on Christmas. Here is where I started to backpedal and want to walk away.
'My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge'
"I have very thick but fine hair. I keep the sides shaved down and the top and back long like halfway down my back which helps my migraines. I also have an Eeyore tattoo and a bear paw print tattoo that show. I also just had bariatric surgery so I'm working on losing weight. I also have glasses."
The 12-point list reads:
- No visible tattoos. Must be removed or covered with makeup. No jackets or long sleeves to cover them
- Full head of hair. No shaved sides or back. Must have a wig professionally put on if haircut is not acceptable
- Hair must be blonde or black. I will tell you what colour is best for you.
- Hair and makeup is to be done by my makeup artist and hairstylist. Makeup artist $100 (£78, hairstylist depends on hair length and if it needs cut.
- Hair can not be too short. It must be able to be braided. Also if your hair is too long like to your waist, it will need to be cut.
- Nails including toes will need to be done professionally by my nail salon ladies in my approved color and length
- You must fit into a size 8 dress. I don't want to see tents (too big) or rolls (too tight) Dresses have been ordered at size 8 only!
- No jewellery including wedding bands or engagement rings
- No brown eyes. (That's James's and my eye colour so you will need to get contacts.) Blue is required
- No harsh tans
- No visible scars. Same rule applies
- No eyeglasses, get contacts or go without for the day
Adding insult to injury, the bride then ordered her bridesmaids to sign a 14-page front and back, 28 pages in total, contract agreeing to all her terms and conditions. When doing so, they'd signed away their right to get pregnant in the run-up to her big day, as this could 'steal' her limelight.
She added: "At our last 'meeting' she passed out a bill for each of us to pay. It included the dress/shoes we would wear, ($850) Nail fee ($150), (She is pooling the money to pay for them to do our nails) a binder fee of ($75), (the ones she made us to carry around) catering fee ($200 per plate), an entourage fee ($100), we go everywhere with her, hotel fee for the weekend ($326) and the final fee $400 (£314) to be a bridesmaid or $500 (£392) maid-of-honour.
"The final kick in the pants was the contract. 14 pages front and back of everything we are required to do like not getting pregnant, attending meetings and events, constantly communicating, etc. We must take constant pictures so someone can make photo albums of everything.
"Each person must plan an event that is not at their house or anyone's house. It can be for one or both of them. Food and drinks must be served. We will also follow the gift requirements for each said event. Failure to follow the contract could lead to a fine or dismissal from going to the wedding.
"They aren't having a destination wedding. It's here in our city at a park with dinner at the hotel. She wants us at the hotel so we can be close if she needs us. I tried to explain I couldn't afford this and she told me I had to figure it out. I figured she lost a bridesmaid, me. I am not doing the wedding. She is mad but I don't care."
While most users urged her to go 'no contact' with her so-called friend, others shared their outrage at the bride's "ridiculous" requests. One user said: "OMG! This is inhumane. You can't order somebody not to get pregnant just because you want to get married and have the 'perfect day'. Do they think the world revolves around them? Clearly, they do!"
Another user added: "Yeah anyone who invites me to a wedding is getting my attendance. That’s it. If I’m at the wedding party I’ll wear a specific tie they want, and maybe some suspenders. That’s it. I’m not a doll that they can play dress up with. And asking people to cover up their tattoos is just tacky as hell." A third user said: "No brown eyes? That's a level of delusion I didn't think possible." Adding to this, one more user said: "It doesn't match with Bridezilla's aesthetic for her perfect wedding."
* Names have been changed for the purpose of this article.
'My daughter was a bridesmaid at her teacher's wedding - but I regret it'