“Their marriage will never last. I give it a year,” said Amy, Bonnie’s matron of honor. Her comments were overheard and, unfortunately (or fortunately) reported to the bride. The result: Amy got booted from her nuptial post.
Many brides are forced to “fire” a bridesmaid or a matron/maid of honor. All you have to do is troll wedding websites to discover horror stories of sabotage, bridezillas, and ruined friendships. While a shunned bridesmaid can take legal action against the bride-to-be, the big question is whether it’s worth the effort.
For friendship or money?
The title of bridesmaid is an honor, and one usually given to close friends and family. Bridal party positions do not come with job descriptions, but some brides believe every bridesmaid should pay whatever price and do whatever job she is assigned to make the bride happy. Fail to deliver on these expectations and you could find yourself without a place at the altar come wedding day.
When a bridesmaid firing happens close to the wedding, it’s safe to assume the bridesmaid has shelled out serious cash: dress, shoes, accessories, bachelorette party, bridal shower, transportation, and lodging. And there is all the time and energy spent supporting the bride in preparation for her big day.
You can put a price tag on most of these items and take your case to small claims court. Depending on the point you’re trying to make, this lawsuit might be more trouble than it’s actually worth. Your motivation will likely be the deciding factor: Do you really want all your money back? Or are you trying to prove a point because you were wronged by someone you thought was a friend?
Whose fault is it?
You might be embarrassed or angry about being removed as a bridesmaid. But there are two sides to every story. Both you and the bride will have a chance to voice your grievances. Be prepared to be answer questions about which of you is really guilty of bad behavior.
