The Shocking Cost of Being a Bridesmaid – Is This the New Norm

Have you ever dreamed of being a bridesmaid at your best friend’s wedding? What if that dream came with a shocking price tag? Would you pay nearly Rs. 91,000 just to stand by her side on her big day?

This is exactly what happened to a woman who was beyond excited to be part of her best friend Megan’s wedding—until she received an unexpected email detailing the hefty cost of being a bridesmaid. Faced with financial strain and an unyielding bride, she made a tough decision: to walk away from the wedding.

Now, her story has gone viral, sparking debates on whether bridesmaids should be expected to fund a bride’s dream wedding. Was Megan being unreasonable, or should friends be willing to pay the price for friendship? Let’s dive into the controversy.

The Unexpected Bridesmaid Bill

When the woman received an invitation from Megan to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, she was beyond excited. Having been friends since school, it felt like a huge honor to stand by her best friend’s side on such a special day. She imagined it would be a once-in-a-lifetime memory—but her excitement quickly faded when she received a shocking email.

Attached to the email was a detailed spreadsheet outlining the mandatory expenses of being a bridesmaid:

• Bridesmaid dress – Rs. 41,000
• Hair & makeup – Rs. 24,600
• Gift for the bride – Minimum Rs. 12,300
• Bachelorette party deposit – Rs. 8,200 (at a luxury resort)
• Miscellaneous expenses – Rs. 4,100 (without any clear explanation)

Altogether, the cost was adding up to around Rs. 91,000! Seeing this, she couldn’t help but wonder—was this a wedding or an expensive membership fee? 

What confused her the most was the “miscellaneous expenses” listed in the spreadsheet. There was no explanation of what this money was for, and Megan hadn’t clarified it either. 

The excitement had now turned into stress and disbelief. She knew this amount was way beyond her budget, and she needed to talk to Megan. But when she finally reached out to her best friend, Megan’s response left her even more shocked… (Stay tuned for the next part!)

Her Reaction & The Bride’s Response

After reading the email, the woman felt super awkward and uncomfortable. She had never expected such a huge financial demand just to be part of her best friend’s wedding. With student loans and other expenses, there was no way she could afford to spend Rs. 91,000 on a single event.

Feeling nervous but hopeful, she decided to reach out to Megan and explain her situation. She politely told her that the costs were way out of her budget and asked if there was any way to adjust some expenses.

However, Megan’s response was cold and firm:

“If you can’t afford it, I understand, but I can’t change my plans for everyone else.”

This reply shocked and hurt her. Instead of understanding her situation or offering alternatives, Megan made it seem like she was easily replaceable. She had always been there for her best friend, yet now she was being pushed aside just because she couldn’t pay up.

At that moment, she realized something—was this really about friendship, or was she just another contributor to Megan’s dream wedding fund? Feeling unappreciated and excluded, she knew she had to make a tough decision…

Internet’s Reaction & Social Media Backlash

When this story hit Reddit and social media, people didn’t hold back their opinions. Most users sided with the bridesmaid, calling the bride selfish and unreasonable. Some even labeled her a “bridezilla” (an overly demanding and controlling bride).

One user commented, “Being a bridesmaid isn’t a subscription service! If the bride needs that much money, she should start a GoFundMe instead of charging her friends.”

Another person wrote, “If friendship now comes with a price tag, maybe it’s not really friendship—just a financial contract!”

One particularly harsh comment read, “A wedding shouldn’t be an excuse to ruin friendships. If she truly valued you as a friend, she would have adjusted. She only cares about the money!”

However, a few people defended the bride, saying, “If she has a specific vision for her wedding, that’s her choice. But she can’t expect others to pay for it.”

Overall, the majority of people stood against the bride, arguing that friendship should never come with a financial burden. This story also sparked a bigger debate—are weddings becoming so expensive that they’re putting unfair pressure on friends and family?

The Bigger Issue: Are Weddings Becoming Too Expensive?

This story isn’t just about one bridesmaid—it highlights a bigger problem. Weddings today are becoming so extravagant that even guests and bridesmaids are expected to spend huge amounts of money just to be part of the celebration.

Nowadays, being a bridesmaid isn’t just about supporting the bride emotionally—it often comes with financial expectations like:

• Expensive designer dresses
• Professional hair & makeup
• Costly destination bachelorette trips
• Lavish bridal shower gifts

Many people are now questioning: Is it fair to expect friends to pay so much for someone else’s wedding?

Friendship vs. Financial Obligation

A wedding is a couple’s personal choice, so should they really shift the financial burden onto their friends? Some argue that if a bride has a grand wedding vision, she should either pay for it herself or adjust her expectations. After all, true friendship isn’t about how much money you can spend.

On the other hand, some believe that traditions have evolved, and expensive weddings are now the norm. In some cultures, it’s common for bridesmaids to contribute—but should it be mandatory?

The Simplicity of the Past vs. Today’s Luxury Trends

Earlier, weddings used to be simple yet meaningful. Friends could show up in any elegant outfit, help with preparations, and truly enjoy the day without worrying about expenses. But today, social media and luxury trends have made weddings more about aesthetics than emotions.

At the end of the day, a wedding should be about celebrating love and friendship, not about how much money bridesmaids or guests can afford. Maybe it’s time for couples to ask themselves—is the wedding about happiness or just about looking perfect?

Friendship in Jeopardy – What’s Next?

Seeing the huge financial pressure, the woman realized she had no other choice—she had to walk away from the wedding. She told Megan that she simply couldn’t afford it, which meant she couldn’t be a bridesmaid.

After that, Megan completely ignored her. No calls, no messages. One moment, they were best friends— the next, they were strangers. 

Now, the big question is—will their friendship survive, or will it just become a distant memory?

Friendship vs. Money – What’s Right?

A wedding is an important day, but should someone else bear the financial burden for it? Can a true friendship really end just because one friend couldn’t meet expensive demands?

If a bride can’t understand her friends’ financial situations, was she ever truly a good friend? Or was this a one-sided relationship all along?

What Do You Think?

At the end of the day, the real question is—

• Should friendships be tested over wedding expenses?
• Is it fair to put financial pressure on friends for a wedding?

What would you have done in this situation? 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Why did the bridesmaid refuse to be part of the wedding?

• She refused because the financial demands to be a bridesmaid were too high—nearly Rs. 91,000 in total. She couldn’t afford it due to student loans and savings.

2. What were the main expenses listed in the bridesmaid package?

The email listed costs such as:

• Rs. 41,000 for the bridesmaid dress
• Rs. 24,600 for hair & makeup
• Rs. 12,300 for a gift
• Rs. 8,200 as a deposit for a luxury bachelorette party
• Rs. 4,100 in unidentified “miscellaneous expenses”

3. How did the bride react when her friend said she couldn’t afford it?

• The bride, Megan, refused to lower the costs and said she couldn’t change the plans for one person. She implied that if the bridesmaid couldn’t afford it, she should step aside.

4. How did people on social media react to this situation?

• Most people supported the bridesmaid, calling the bride “money-hungry” and unreasonable. Some suggested the bride should fundraise instead of charging her friends. Others called her a “bridezilla” for imposing high costs.

5. What happened to their friendship?

• The bridesmaid ultimately walked away from the wedding, and her friendship with Megan remains uncertain.

Conclusion: Are Weddings Becoming Financial Burdens?

This story highlights a growing issue—weddings are becoming financially overwhelming not just for couples but also for their friends. While everyone dreams of a perfect wedding, should that come at the expense of friendships?

The bridesmaid had to make a tough choice: her financial stability or her friendship. Many believe Megan’s demands were unfair, proving that a wedding shouldn’t test someone’s loyalty through expensive price tags.

At the end of the day, a true friend should value relationships over money. So the real question is—is it worth losing a friendship over wedding costs?