I’m the one friends call to make events shine—weddings, parties, anything festive. I planned my boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, doubling as bridesmaid and vendor wrangler into the early hours. I love it, but some don’t value the work. My brother Liam’s fiancée, Sarah, was like that. Her sugary smiles masked cutting remarks. “Your events are so much,” she’d say, or, “Why so elaborate?” She’d toss fake praise like, “Creative decor,” never thanking me for family gatherings I hosted. Each chat left me feeling belittled. When Liam proposed, Sarah’s attitude shifted, and I thought she was trying to connect as family.
Sarah started texting me wedding ideas and tagging me in maid-of-honor posts online, acting like we were close. It felt off, but I hoped she meant it. At a coffee shop, she asked, “Be my maid of honor and plan my wedding. You’re so talented!” I was shocked—we barely got along. “I’m swamped this year,” I said gently. “I can be a bridesmaid, though.” Her smile faded. “You planned others’ weddings,” she said coldly. I stood firm, citing my schedule, but her warmth vanished. Her texts ceased, and I assumed she’d found another planner. I was completely wrong, and her next move stunned me.
A vendor I know called. “Your wedding’s booked for spring,” he said. My heart raced. “I’m not involved,” I replied. He said Sarah used my name, claiming I’d get discounts. I checked with other vendors—florists, bakers, photographers—and found she’d done the same, listing me as her planner. I confronted her, angry. “It’s no issue,” she said, laughing. “You wouldn’t help, so I used your name.” I explained she’d hurt my vendor trust, but she called me dramatic. Liam defended her, saying, “Drop it, she’s stressed.” Then Mom told me Sarah uninvited me from the wedding to avoid “drama.” That was the last straw.
I’d only told vendors I wasn’t planning, but now I shared the full story—Sarah’s lies and misuse of my name. My years of respect with vendors paid off—they refused her bookings. Her dream wedding became a cheap hotel event with store cake and no pro photos. Family’s split—some say I was too harsh, others think she earned it. Liam’s distant, Mom’s mediating, but I’m at ease, sipping coffee, scrolling her bland wedding posts. Sarah learned: disrespecting boundaries has a cost. I’d protect my name again in a second.
