Chronicling our adventures post-engagement, and beyond...

Power of positive thinking....

Posted Friday, December 07, 2007 2:17 PM

Today I read an entry from yellowroses510, whose wedding is in one week. She'd been having some issues with a bridesmaid, but she smoothed them out, and all is well. That's positive thinking at work right there!

But that's where wedding-party resentment hits me. Sometimes--not enough to severely impact anything, but sometimes--I still think about one of my 'maids backing out. Right after Will and I got engaged, I called four of my closest friends and asked them to be in the bridal party. Three bridesmaids and the maid of honor. My "MOH" was my best childhood friend; we've known each other since kindergarten and first grade, and we don't get many chances to talk now, but we've remained lifelong friends. She was always my MOH, even in my crazy kiddie wedding dreams..but she backed out. She has plans to study abroad this semester, and then go to med school once she graduates college...but our wedding isn't until 2009. Four months in England doesn't have to mean she can't share my day with me, right? Or does it? She basically refused, then caught me off-guard with "Can I still come to the wedding?" Thing is, she's been flaky and weird since we met back in elementary school, and I've always known she has different values, and ways of thinking. I guess all that really came out when she chose England over a wedding she has two years to plan for, so......

I didn't give her a firm "yes, you're still invited" answer. It sounds terrible of me, and I'm not usually a vengeful person, but I don't want her there. She won't be on my guest list. (In a logistic sense, regarding just the wedding day itself, if she couldn't spare the time to be there for me as a bridesmaid, why would she suddenly make the time to be a guest?) Will was quick to agree...we'll be surrounded by friends and family who mean the most to us on that day, including our bridal party. (I've asked Will's little sister to be my MOH now.) Need to work on that positive thinking of mine. I know it's back there, in my mind, waiting to make me feel better :)

Here come the positive thoughts:

1) I refuse to think of Jessica as my "second choice MOH". She was the perfect choice all along. We got along like sisters almost immediately when we met, and she's already got a special place in my heart. 

2) One of my other 'maids got engaged just yesterday, and has asked me to be there for her as a bridesmaid when her wedding comes--it's also two years from now, but won't conflict. I said yes immediately. "Friends come first." That's what I think. It's an honor to be asked, and I wouldn't dream of saying no.  

Hopefully now that I've vented my frustration, this resentment won't bother me so much anymore. My childhood friend refused me, and I have to deal. It still makes me sad, sometimes, but I won't dwell on it.

Hmm..what do you know? Thinking about all the fun to come has made me feel better already :)

Posted by bluepoet2007
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re: Power of positive thinking....

I, too, am onto my "second" matron of honor choice and to be frank I should've asked her first all along.  She's known me since I was 18, we were roommates for awhile, and we always pick up right where we left off when we visit (I live in CT and she is in NC).  I was a guest at her wedding earlier this year and I knew I wanted her to be a part of mine in some way.  I had met another girl 6 years ago who quickly became my best friend and I originally asked her to be my MOH...but the worst happened.  She changed.  She tried to alter my guest list to my bridal shower to delete the people she wasn't fond of and she said some hurtful things regarding my new future in-laws (some totally racial comments along the lines of "submissive Puerto Rican wife syndrome" as I'm marrying a Puerto Rican and I am white), amongs trying to change my colors to better suite her preferences.  I finally drew the line and had a talk with her and said that it was my day and my way.  I wasn't "bridezilla" about it all...just honest and laid it all out there.  She blew a gasket and quit not only the wedding but our friendship entirely.  I do miss her at times as I'm making decisions that I would normally ask her input on but to be quite frank...I do NOT miss the drama that always proceeded her.  I'm much calmer and happier with my maids and I love them all dearly.  I few my new MOH as my only MOH and I am confident she'll be there long after our vows are spoken.  She even said some wise words to me when my first MOH stepped down....if she came and said she was sorry and repented would you still really want her in your life??  Would you still want to have her share your wedding with you when she was so quick to run away from it??  My answer is No.  I will listen to her if she ever does try to apologize and I'd probably forgive her as well, but then I would move on with my life without her.  I didn't abandon her on her wedding day...she shouldn't have done that to me.  As with your maid...you aren't being selfish- she has plenty of notice and could make the effort if she wanted to.  In your shoes I wouldn't invite her to the wedding.  If she can make it as a guest she could be a maid.  If money or something else was an issue for her she should just be up front instead of backing out completely.

Posted by Heather&Alexi    Friday, December 07, 2007 10:29 AM


re: Power of positive thinking....

When you came to the part of positive thinking, I thought you would say that you were thinking of all the postive times you and your "first choice" had together and that you would want her there on your special day.  It shouldn't matter where she stands, as long as she is there to share your joy.  You loved her enough to ask her to stand up for you, even knowing her flaky history.  Your friend may be staying true to herself: she's a "flake" and "weird," so why do you want her to be your MOH?  

A MOH has many important responsibilities in the wedding: helping to plan, throwing parties, not to mention financial responsibilities.  Maybe she feels as though with her busy academic schedule, she won't have the time or resources to fully commit to the duites that MOH entails.

I would hate to see you lose a good friend over her declination (is that a word? it should be).  She has her own reasons for declining your invitation, but she still wants to see you and your husband start a new life together.  So give her the benefit of the doubt, she didn't refuse your friendship.  Think positively that she still loves you and wants to be there for you, in the facility that she can be.  

PS, Hope I haven't overstepped any boundaries!  Happy planning!

Posted by oneluckygal    Monday, December 10, 2007 3:15 AM


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About bluepoet2007

I'm a native Floridian who's head-over-heels in love!

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