Planning a dream bachelorette party turned into a test of friendship and responsibility when some bridesmaids refused to pay their share. As the maid of honor, I had to stand up for myself and ensure that those who didn’t contribute faced the consequences, leading to an unforgettable weekend.
Planning my best friend Kate’s bachelorette party was supposed to be a fun experience. As her maid of honor, I wanted to give her an unforgettable weekend. We decided on a beachside weekend at a charming resort.
Women planning a holiday | Source: Midjourney
The total cost was $2,500, which came to about $312 per person since there were eight of us. Everyone agreed it was perfect, and I paid the full amount upfront, trusting the bridesmaids to reimburse me.
“Guys, this resort is perfect!” I said, sharing pictures of the beachside resort with the bridesmaids. “Kate is going to love it.”
“Oh my God, yes!” Sarah, her sister, replied. “It’s beautiful and right on the beach.”
Women looking at travelling booklets | Source: Midjourney
“Count me in,” said Emily, her colleague. “Anything for Kate.”
“I’m in too,” added Jessica, her friend from college. “It sounds amazing.”
“Thanks for handling it,” said Rachel, Kate’s future sister-in-law. “I’ll get you the money soon.”
“Me too,” agreed Hannah, our mutual friend from kindergarten. “Can’t wait!”
Two excited women talking in a library | Source: Midjourney
As the days went by, we all got more and more excited. I could see it in our group chat. Sarah shared pictures of her new swimsuit, and Emily talked about how she couldn’t wait to relax by the beach. Kate was thrilled, counting down the days until her special weekend.
A few weeks before the trip, I sent a friendly reminder about the payments. “Hey ladies, just a reminder to send over your share for the trip,” I texted in the group chat.
A woman texting in her living room | Source: Midjourney
“I need a bit more time,” replied Jessica. “Money’s tight this month.”
“Same here,” said Hannah. “I’ll pay soon.”
No response from Rachel and Emily. I felt uneasy. As the date approached, I realized some bridesmaids had no intention of paying me back.
Feeling anxious, I sent another reminder. “Ladies, the trip is coming up fast. Please send your payments ASAP.”
A woman on her phone in bed | Source: Midjourney
“I’m on it,” Sarah replied quickly. “Sending it today.”
“I’ll pay this weekend,” added Jessica.
Still nothing from Rachel and Emily. I felt a knot in my stomach. This wasn’t fair. How could they do this to me? I had trusted them, and now I felt like a fool.
Feeling hurt and betrayed, I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let them take advantage of me. I needed a plan.
A sleepless woman in her bed | Source: Midjourney
Talking to my fiancé, I said, “I don’t know what to do. Some of the bridesmaids aren’t paying up.”
“You can’t let them get away with it,” he said. “Make them face the consequences.”
That gave me an idea. “What if I plan extra activities only for those who pay? That way, they can still come but won’t get the full experience.”
“That sounds fair,” he agreed. “They need to learn a lesson.”
Concerned woman talking to her husband | Source: Midjourney
With renewed determination, I began planning. I booked a surprise private yacht trip for the first evening, a fancy dinner for the next day, and a sunset beach party on the last day. Only those who paid their share would get to join these special activities.
The day of the trip finally arrived. I woke up early, excitement and nerves mixing in my stomach. I sent a cheerful message to the group chat, “So excited for this weekend! Can’t wait to see you all at the resort!”
Woman texts on her phone at a resort | Source: Midjourney
I arrived at the resort a few hours before everyone else. The place was even more beautiful in reality, with white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and a charming resort that looked like it was straight out of a postcard. I checked in and headed to our suite to set up.
I decorated the room with streamers, balloons, and a “Bride-to-Be” banner. I placed little gift bags filled with treats and souvenirs on each bed. The room looked perfect. Kate was going to be so happy.
A decorated hotel room | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she walked in. But there was still that nagging worry about the unpaid shares. I took a deep breath and reminded myself of my plan. This was about more than money. It was about respect and responsibility.
When the bridesmaids started arriving, I greeted them with a big smile. “Hey everyone! Welcome! How was the drive?”
“Long but worth it,” said Sarah, looking around in awe. “This place is stunning!”
The bridesmaids arriving | Source: Midjourney
Kate arrived next, and I hugged her tightly. “Surprise! I hope you love it!”
“Oh my gosh, it’s amazing!” she exclaimed, looking around the decorated room. “You outdid yourself!”
Once everyone had settled in, I gathered them in the living area. “I have some exciting plans for the weekend,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “But there’s a catch. Only those who paid their share can join the special activities.”
A serious blonde woman at a resort | Source: Midjourney
Their faces fell. “What do you mean?” asked Jessica, looking confused.
“I upgraded our weekend,” I explained. “I’ve planned a private yacht trip for tonight, a fancy dinner for tomorrow, and a sunset beach party on the last day. But you need to pay your part to join in. If you haven’t paid, you won’t be able to participate.”
Jessica and Sarah quickly pulled out their phones. “I’ll pay now,” Sarah said, tapping away at her screen.
“Me too,” said Jessica, hurriedly transferring the money.
Two women on their phones at a resort | Source: Midjourney
Rachel and Emily looked uncomfortable. “We didn’t bring that much cash,” Rachel said, avoiding my gaze.
“You can use Venmo or PayPal,” I replied firmly. “No payment, no special activities.”
The room was silent for a moment. The reality of the situation hit hard. They started scrambling to find a way to pay me back. Emily whispered something to Rachel, who nodded and began tapping on her phone.
Two women whispering on the beach | Source: Midjourney
Hannah, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. “I’m really sorry I haven’t paid yet. I’ll transfer it right now.”
One by one, payments started rolling in. The notifications on my phone buzzed with each new transaction. I remained firm but polite, making it clear that this was the only way they could enjoy the weekend fully.
As payments were made, the mood shifted from tense to enjoyable. The bridesmaids who had paid seemed relieved and eager to move past the awkwardness. By evening, I had received the full amount from everyone.
A buzzing phone | Source: Pexels
“Alright, ladies,” I announced with a smile, “let’s get ready for our private yacht trip!”
The excitement in the room was palpable. The bridesmaids quickly changed into their best outfits, and we headed to the dock. The yacht was breathtaking, and as we sailed into the sunset, the earlier tension melted away. Laughter and chatter filled the air.
The next day’s fancy dinner was a hit. We dined at an upscale restaurant with a beautiful ocean view. The food was exquisite, and Kate was beaming with joy. The bridesmaids were enjoying themselves, and the initial drama seemed like a distant memory.
Dining in a fancy restaurant | Source: Midjourney
By the time of the sunset beach party on the last day, everyone was in high spirits. We danced on the beach, toasted marshmallows by the bonfire, and watched the sun dip below the horizon. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable weekend.
As we packed up to leave, a few bridesmaids approached me individually.
“I’m really sorry about the payment issue,” Jessica said, looking genuinely remorseful. “I should have handled it sooner.”
A remorseful woman | Source: Midjourney
“I apologize too,” added Rachel. “I didn’t realize how much it stressed you out. I’ve learned my lesson.”
As we hugged goodbye, I felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. I had stood up for myself and, in doing so, had ensured a memorable weekend for Kate. More importantly, I reinforced the importance of keeping one’s word and respecting each other in our group of friends.
The bachelorette weekend was over, but the lessons learned would stay with us. It was a reminder of the value of friendship, responsibility, and standing up for oneself.
A hopeful woman | Source: Midjourney
I wasn’t much of a people person, but when my career took off, I made three new friends. I was looking for friendship and a healthy bond, but they had other motives. Once I figured out the truth about them, I went after them with everything I had!
I never thought I’d be telling this story, but here we are. This is a tale of betrayal, realization, and sweet revenge. About a year ago, I got a well-deserved promotion at work, and while my income increased, so did my troubles.
Two men shaking hands | Source: Pexels
Getting a raise wasn’t easy; it took a lot of hard work, late nights, missed family gatherings, and battling bouts of depression. But I made it through and finally started earning a significantly higher salary.
Want to know what happened next? Click here to read the rest of the story.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.