Bridal Extras

My buddy at “Don’t Be That Bride” (ok, ok, she’s not really my buddy, but if she comes to Beijing, we’re totally going to hang out) talks about all the “extras” for the wedding party. If you’ve been in a wedding, you know what the extras are. The shoes to match the dress you’ll never wear again, transportation to the wedding/shower/bachelorette, a hotel near the wedding, and so worth

 I don’t mind shelling out for a friend’s big day, but I end up giving a smaller wedding gift because I’ve already overspent on the extras.

<blockquote> A long time ago, I talked about “add ons” — and how it’s not simply the wedding present that creates cost to friends/family invited to and attending the wedding and related activities.

It’s the shower gift. The $100+ ladies plunk down on bachelorette “stuff” (drinks, dinner out, etc. etc.) Flights or train tickets for out of towners. Hotel stays.

The cost can become immeausrable, in some respect. And I understand it. I’ve been through it!

In terms of my shower/bachelorette weekend, I’m THRILLED that 90% of the friends I invited will be attending.

Many of these friends are from out of town, which is another complication, since NYC hotels cost at least $250-300 a night if you don’t want to sleep in a rat-infested box.  <blockquote>