Bridesmaid owes me money, how to handle?

I'd just be up front with her either in person or on the phone, not via text or email. Say, "Hey W, I mentioned the $$ you owe me for your dress before, and we could really use that money. Did you still want to have the dress? If I can't get the money, unfortunately, I'll have to return the dress."

Why did you order them all? you could have solved this by letting ppl order their own dresses. But since you are in the situation i'd just be prepared to eat the cost. Her house fund is not her BM dress fund, so that shouldn't be part of your thought process at all. She'll pay you or she won't - she knows she owes it. I'd stop asking her altogether and just let it play out. Give her the dress if you want, or give her a deadline before you return it for a refund if the money is an issue for you.

I think the way you worded it sums it up pretty nicely, “Hey W, I just wanted to check in with you and ask if you had the money for the dress. I don’t mean to be pushy but FH and I are on a really tight budget right now and we could really use the money. Also I just wanted to follow up on the hair and makeup, you’re still interested right? If so I have to collect that money by x date, because I am under contract and cannot afford to prepay for anyone.”

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To clarify I ordered them all so that they would be made from the same bolt of fabric and match.

Thank you all for your advice. I'll plan a time to call her.

I just never loan out money and this situation makes me uncomfortable.

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I really like the way Kate worded this. Good luck with the convo, Melinda!! This situation would also make me super uncomfortable. I would perhaps add this: for the HMU money collection date, try to make it a date where, if she doesn't pay you, then you can cancel her services with the HMUA so you're not still on the hook for that money/service with the HMUA. I don't know what kind of minimums are required, but hopefully you could take her off the list in time (if this situation plays out again with the HMU). Also, I love the last bit of Samantha's suggestion....I would mention that if she doesn't pay for the dress, then you'll be forced to return it. Hopefully it's still within the return window. Kinda spitballing here, but perhaps she anticipates being a different size (perhaps weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy) by the time the wedding rolls around, and she just hasn't addressed it with you yet?

Hello! You can say something like, "Hey __! I'm going over payments for everything right now for the wedding. Will you be able to have the ___ (total) for hair/makeup, dress, and hotel by ___ (date)?" I hate asking "When will you have it by?" because they might say 'later' which could be never or even sometime after the wedding. Which could be a month to MONTHS after the wedding.. If she is unable to do so then just let her know that all of her stuff will have to be put on hold due to a tight budget because unfortunately you do not have the funds to cover her at this time. Good luck!!

In addition to that text, you can also send a Venmo or Zelle request for the amount she owes you. It may prompt her thought on it to get an email or app notification and also makes it easy to just pop in and transfer the money. You can do the same for the hair and makeup.