Bridal Party Meeting

Who wants 50,000 emails to track to find out "who said what and when?" And I'm not getting how an organized binders of info = unrealistically high expectations. If any of your bridesmaids step down b/c you gave them a binder of important information, good riddance. That's a pretty extreme reaction to being given a binder.

As you might be able to tell, I'd appreciate getting a binder. That way all the info is in one place. I'd also give them the t-shirts if you have the ready already. Have you posted a pic of them yet? I'd love to see them. You did them DIY right?

I'm with @erin. This is a little much. I'm overwhelmed just hearing about it. How many pages does "wear this dress and show up for my wedding" take?

I edited my previous comment for clarity. Bridesmaids pay for dress and shoes, and that's it. They are not required to shell out for showers, bachelorettes, fancy salon hair, or any other fripperies. The wedding industrial complex has brides convinced that they need all sorts of expensive shenanigans, and it's an imposition on people you are supposed to care about.

To me, a binder sends the message that the bride is taking things way too seriously. Yes, a wedding is a big event - but it's also a celebration, and being in a wedding is supposed to be fun. A binder sends the message that it is a Big Obligation Not to Be Trifled With. I mean, for crying out loud - they're buying a dress and standing next to you in some photos, they aren't godparents.

I want them to know what my vision is, so there are no surprises. I let them know the kind of dress I had in mind, so just in case there were any major concerns I could address them and also get their input. I don't understand why this is so "overwhelming" to some of you. It's not like I'm writing down times they are allowed to pee or something!

I don't expect them to pay for my shower or bachelorette party. That is why I said my bachelorette party was taken care of unless they felt the need to do somethign else. My bridal shower is already being taken care of but I would like them to know about the vision for that to in case they wanted to offer input or help. In none fo my comments did I say I'm obligating them to do anything. I want them to be prepared for all that is going on so if they would like to be involved they can be.

A "vision" can be handled as a casual conversation. Most things should be handled as conversations, not as a list of demands in bullet points. I mean, how many bridesmaids are there? If there are, like, 20 of them, sure, do a binder. But for most bridal parties it is just plain overkill.

I associate a binder with a new job, as in, something I am paid to do. Not something I am paying to do. It sends a message that the bride has so many expectations that she had to go to Office Depot, buy supplies, type up a storm, collate, hole-punch, and so forth, just to convey everything she wants from me. That's a lot to heap onto your friends.

I like the idea. i wish i would of thought of this because i am tired of sending txt msgs and emails Lol, i wouldn't be offended at all

I think your plan is awesome... some people don't get that and would complain about anything... Keep up the good work! Plus... your friends know you and I'm sure they already know what to expect.

I dig the binder idea. If you're type A, binder making is almost therapeutic. I wish I was that organized, but like many girls on here, I've just been feeding the group info as I go via Facebook chat

@Shannon I have 2 maids of honor, 3 matrons of honor, and 6 bridesmaids,a total of 11. I have a pretty large bridal party

I can't even. Sidebar: @Shannon, can I borrow the word fripperies?

Wow! 11!!! I have 8 and I've already paid over $700 just in their gifts.

Please tell me the reason behind your comment Emmy

Don't forget to appoint someone as the Secretary of the Brideslaves Committee so she can take minutes!

ಠ_ಠ

Luckily I'll be DIYing some fo their gifts. I've also caught a few items on sale. I also included a sheet for them to tell me some of their favorite things like Bath and Body Works fragrances so I can get really eprsonalized gifts, but I'm sure that's too much too!

A wedding binder. Meetings. 11 people in the bridal party. I can't even.

@His #1 Lady... See u finished the binders thats good and im sure they gonna love them. I started mine but havent finished them yet. We suppose to be going dress shopping at the end of the month and have lunch that day. Im thinking of giving them theres then.

Let me know how it goes with the meet and greet. Also, if u decide to give them the shirts now that would be fine as well that way they can wear them when yall do everything. U can also give them to them the first day yall go shopping but then they will have to take what they had on already off. Just a thought

@MissMadeline I'm so happy you have a sense of humor, but anyway...

I'm not making slaves out of any of briesmaids. I'm not asking for their help with DIYs, going to bridal shows, running errands, nothing! I'm doing everything myself because that's not their job

I think I'm allowed to have any number of people in my wedding party that I want. I've gone to meetings for every wedding I've been in. What's the big deal?!

I honestly don't think it's a huge deal. I've seen brides send out bi-weekly, hand crafted newsletters before. THAT's excessive. You have your way of doing things, and other's have theirs. You're conveying exactly the same information to your bridal party as we are, just in your own way. Not everyone is going to agree with it, but as long as your bridal party is happy, then keep doing what you're doing.