When it comes to selecting bridesmaids for your wedding, it's common for most brides to pick out the women that mean the most to them, including best friends, siblings, or other relatives.
And while choosing your bridesmaids isn't supposed to be transactional, if you've selected your best friend to be part of your bridal party, you'd assume that they'd return the gesture when they get married, as they'll be selecting people from the same criteria.
However, one woman was left devastated when her friend told her she wouldn't be having bridesmaids at her upcoming wedding, as she's having a small ceremony and doesn't see the point in having a bridal party.
The woman explained that when she got married, she "spent so much" money on her bridesmaids, which included the friend who has now decided not to return the favour.
In a post on Mumsnet, the woman said: "My friend was my bridesmaid last year. I spent so much on my bridesmaids - dresses, hair and makeup, a bracelet etc.
"She got engaged 2 months ago. I asked her last night what she is thinking in terms of the wedding. She said she wants a small wedding in Wales with just close family and friends and she's not really thinking of having bridesmaids as she'd rather budget for the cost of Wales than spend on bridesmaid gear.
"Am I being unreasonable to be upset by this? I thought I'd be her bridesmaid. I'm presuming I'll at least be invited to the wedding in Wales but I'm quite upset."
In a later update, the woman said she felt she was being "immature" over the situation, but couldn't help feeling upset that she wouldn't have a special role in her friend's big day.
She added: "I think I'm more upset as we've grown up together and always said we'd be each other's bridesmaids. I'm probably just being immature but I was just taken back a bit."
Commenters on the post were firmly on the bride-to-be's side though, with many saying the woman couldn't dictate how her friend celebrated her wedding, and it was up to the bride to decide if she wanted a wedding party.
One person said: "It's not up to you to dictate your friend's wedding. You spent loads on your bridesmaids because you wanted to have bridesmaids. That was up to you. Her wedding is her choice."
While another added: "It's not a reciprocal arrangement. You do what's best for your own wedding."
And a third posted: "You can't be serious. If you are, then you need to stop and think. This is her wedding and she's allowed to do it how she (and her husband-to-be) wants."
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