Woman asks for advice online after being faced with the ultimate bridesmaid dilemma

HARSH.

Cathy Donohue

Woman asks for advice online after being faced with the ultimate bridesmaid dilemma

Not cool.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about brides-to-be making outlandish requests (remember this one) and it probably won’t be the last.

Bridezilla behaviour is a real thing and this latest tale takes the proverbial biscuit.

Reddit user electricandlive took to the social site to explain her predicament and ask for advice.

She explained how her sister-in-law is getting married and wants her to wear a bridesmaid dress even though she’s not actually a bridesmaid.

That’s confusing enough and it gets worse.

The woman is a professional musician and predictably, the bride-to-be wants her to play something as she walks down the aisle and that’s not all as her mother-in-law also wants her to play as the guests arrive.

Although this isn’t ideal as a wedding guest, she agreed to keep everyone happy but the dress request proved a step too far.

She said that this would make her feel as though she wanted to be a bridesmaid but didn’t ‘make the cut’ and so the opportunity to wear the same dress is like a consolation prize.

Bride and groom chair at wedding reception
Weddings can get VERY complicated

To be fair, it’s a difficult situation to sort out without putting someone out.

Below is her post in full and you can also check it out here.

“Hi! Thanks for reading this. There’s aloooot of Wedding drama history between me and my MIL (would make for a great sequel to that Monster in Law movie) that I could go into if anyone was really interested in a long Wedding rant to make you feel better about your MIL – but to set the scene myself and my husband got married almost 3 years ago now, had an absolutely phenomenal day and have an incredibly happy marriage which is what it’s all about right?! I thought that’s where our Wedding story would (and should) have ended, on a happy high note and everyone would get on with their lives.

SIL is now getting married, and I’m genuinely happy for her and her fiance. However, I’ve had to sit through family get-togethers recently at which they’ve been unbelievably condescending and straight up mean about our Wedding so I find myself still defending my Wedding decisions to MIL almost 3 years later which makes me feel ridiculous! I’ve grinned and taken the hits thinking ‘I had my day – this is their time – they’re just a little insecure because all of MIL’s friends go on about us having had the ‘best Wedding ever’ etc etc but I feel like I’m all out of patience and not sure if I’m being oversensitive and silly.

I’m a professional musician and SIL asked me to play her down the aisle, so I was like yes, no problem I can do that for her (even though they all know I don’t enjoy performing that sort of music). At dinner the other night MIL says she needs me to play at arrivals too – DH and FIL both speak out and say something to the affect of ‘she’s family she wants to enjoy the Wedding and not be working’ but I again grin and agree and take the hit, let’s not make things awkward. MIL then says ‘at least you’ll get a free dress’ which is obviously news to me! Turns out they want me to wear the same dress as the bridesmaids. This makes me feel a.) like it’ll seem like I WANTED to be a part of the bridal party but didn’t make the cut so as consolation they’re letting me wear the dress and b.) a bit like I’m being treated as part of the furniture/hired help. I have taken into consideration that it may indeed be their way of thinking they’re including me in the wedding in some way, but again it feels really condescending; it’s not like they’re wanting to dress my DH and he’s their son/brother!

I was a ridiculously considerate bride and regret it to a point because I chose to please MIL and rather hurt my own Mom’s feelings to keep the peace during ours – also SIL was one of my bridesmaids and I gave all of my girls the freedom to wear something they were comfortable in – so I feel like this is all an unbelievably inconsiderate thing to do as I really should just be treated and left to my own devices as a guest like everyone else.

Am I being over sensitive? Is it normal to expect your SIL to wear what you want her to to your Wedding if she’s not a bridesmaid? (make no mistake I have no interest in being one and it’s not like I would have worn white or anything) As the bride to be how would you want me to tell you that I’m not comfortable with this?

TL;DR: MIL & SIL want to dress me (in the same dress as the bridesmaids) for SIL’s Wedding, I’m not part of the bridal party and don’t want to be dressed by them, just want to attend the Wedding dressed suitably as any other guest. Am I being ridiculous? As a bride-to-be how would you want me to tell you I’m not comfortable/happy with this?”

People were quick to chip in with advice with one person writing:

“It seems weird to ask you to wear a specific dress. If they say it’s because you’ll be visible as part of the wedding, just ask them if the officiant or DJ is also wearing color coordinated outfit. No? Then you shouldn’t have to either. I would politely decline”.

Another commented:

“I think everyone’s advice is great and definitely see your side. Have you thought of changing out of the dress after the ceremony? That way you won’t feel like a bridesmaid wannabe. If they are paying for the dress anyway and you think they wouldn’t take offence, this might be a solution that makes everyone happy. Another option might be to ask for a different style in the same colour”.