A wedding planner in Chicago has reported escalating tension with her maid of honor, who rejected a selected bridesmaid dress and demanded a replacement—despite the original being approved by the bride. The incident highlights the emotional and financial strain of social wedding logistics.
- Original bridesmaid dress priced at $425 was rejected by maid of honor
- Replacement dress requested costs $580, increasing total attire expense by $155
- Wedding is scheduled for May 2026 in Chicago with a $12,000 overall budget
- Incident highlights rising costs of custom wedding attire, up 7% YoY in 2025
- Bride anticipates emotional and financial strain from negotiating the request
- Two other bridesmaids report discomfort with the escalating demands
The situation unfolded during final dress fittings for a May 2026 wedding in downtown Chicago, where the bride, a 32-year-old marketing executive, had already secured a $425 bridesmaid dress from a boutique in Lincoln Park. After initial approval from the maid of honor, a 34-year-old graphic designer, the dress was rejected days later without clear justification. The maid of honor now insists the bride purchase a new $580 dress from a different designer, citing 'tone mismatch' with the wedding theme. The bride, already managing a $12,000 wedding budget, is now facing an unexpected $155 increase in attire costs. The conflict has sparked internal discussions among the wedding party, with two other bridesmaids expressing concern over the precedent. While no formal financial figures have been disclosed beyond the dress costs, the incident underscores how personal relationships can intersect with unanticipated expenses in event planning. Market trends show a 7% rise in bridesmaid dress purchases in Q3 2025, driven by custom designs and higher-end vendors, suggesting increased financial exposure for wedding attendees.