Money Moral Dilemma: Should I have to pay for clothing my friend wants me to wear for her 'wedding'?

mazza73monk

Short answer from a Yorkshireman: No. Why would you? Now that's me done! Bye

gloriouslyhappy

I've been to a Sierra Leonian and a Nigerian wedding as a guest - the wedding party wore western dress for the ceremony and changed into traditional tribal dress for the reception. Before anyone jumps all over me, I say tribal dress deliberately because that's how members of the bridal party described it. In both cases, the fabric and style was specific to their particular culture, not just Nigerian or Sierra Leonian but very specifically for their local / regional culture within their country.

So no way could you buy or rent the outfit, and unless you attended another wedding from that same very specific local culture, there's no way you could wear the dress again. Therefore your friend should supply the outfit or at the very least, offer to supply the fabric and you get it made up.

JessieH_2

I agree with the lady who suggested you discuss with your friend if it would be too expensive for you, and ask to go as part of the general guest list, or possibly ask if she could go halves with you if she really wants you in the entourage and you really want to be there? Or if you can afford it, and you really want to be in the entourage (and it does sound special), then just go for it. The fabric will be lovely, and maybe you could make it into something else afterwards if you won't ever wear it again. Or is she likely to ask you to other Nigerian events later as you're good friends, that you might be able to wear it to? Enjoy the day either way.