Bridesmaid dress

[LdiJ]

Sure. The bride's mom potentially could find another use for the dress if it can't be returned. But she also could sue.

That said (and based on very little knowledge of the whole world of brides), I don't think bridesmaids dresses are altered until shortly before the wedding (to accommodate for body changes?). I know my wife was to be a very pregnant bridesmaid for one friend's wedding and she wasn't fitted for the dress until a couple of weeks before the wedding. If the wedding Kelp was to be a bridesmaid in isn't until May, there is a good chance the bridesmaid dress is returnable and the cost refundable (unless it was custom made).

As a note: My wife went into labor the night before the wedding mentioned above so she never had the chance to wear the dress. I think the dress, fitted as it was for her size at the time, could have clothed TWO other bridesmaids.

LOL...

I was a bridesmaid MANY times and I was always unhappy that I ended up paying for a dress that I would never use again. So much so that I chose to make the dresses for my bridesmaids myself, and paid for the fabric etc., myself. I also picked a something that I was sure that they would get use of again.

You are also right about the fitting...it tends to happen much closer to the wedding.

 

[Kelp78]

Dress Mess

Some more information. We had our fitting in mid October and had our dresses received earlier this month. We have not yet been to a formal fitting.
I was under the impression that I would be paying for my dress until shortly before ordering the bride made us bridesmaids aware that her mother would be paying for all of the dresses.
Theycan return the dress to the shop to exchange for a different size. (For a possible new bridesmaid to take my place)

 

[Zigner]

Some more information. We had our fitting in mid October and had our dresses received earlier this month. We have not yet been to a formal fitting.
I was under the impression that I would be paying for my dress until shortly before ordering the bride made us bridesmaids aware that her mother would be paying for all of the dresses.
Theycan return the dress to the shop to exchange for a different size. (For a possible new bridesmaid to take my place)

If they are able to exchange it out, you should be responsible enough to pay any additional costs incurred. If they are NOT able to exchange it or have it resized, then expect to pay in full for the dress.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

But you will get to keep the dress if you pay for it.

 

[Kelp78]

If they are able to exchange it out, you should be responsible enough to pay any additional costs incurred. If they are NOT able to exchange it or have it resized, then expect to pay in full for the dress.

When did I say I wasn’t responsible enough to pay for the dress??? Don’t remember typing that. Also do not remember saying I wouldn’t pay...just wondering if I HAD to.
A simple “hey sorry about your predicament but it looks like you’re going to have to shell out some dough on this one.”

 

[quincy]

Some more information. We had our fitting in mid October and had our dresses received earlier this month. We have not yet been to a formal fitting.
I was under the impression that I would be paying for my dress until shortly before ordering the bride made us bridesmaids aware that her mother would be paying for all of the dresses.
Theycan return the dress to the shop to exchange for a different size. (For a possible new bridesmaid to take my place)

If the dress can be returned with a full refund, that would be nice. An exchange would also be good if the bride decides to replace you with another attendant.

But I agree with Zigner. You should offer to pay any extra costs incurred as a result of your decision not to be a bridesmaid, including the purchase price of the dress if it can't be returned.

With luck, the mom will just decide to eat the cost if the dress cannot be returned but she has the option of suing.

 

[justalayman]

When did I say I wasn’t responsible enough to pay for the dress??? Don’t remember typing that. Also do not remember saying I wouldn’t pay...just wondering if I HAD to.
A simple “hey sorry about your predicament but it looks like you’re going to have to shell out some dough on this one.”

If you’re willing to pay for it then this entire line of questioning is a waste of everybody’s time.

 

[Zigner]

If you’re willing to pay for it then this entire line of questioning is a waste of everybody’s time.

You got that right.

 

[quincy]

If you’re willing to pay for it then this entire line of questioning is a waste of everybody’s time.

That would certainly simplify everything - and could even work to preserve a friendship.