Let it go. I know someone who cancelled a wedding and she paid all the girls for their dresses (and she took possession of the dresses as well), but I wouldn't expect my friend to do that. She's been your friend a long time, it isn't worth damaging that over a dress.

I agree with Sue36. I hope you can wear the dress and shoes for some other occasion, but if not, chalk it up to just one of those things that happens sometimes. She didn't do anything wrong to you.

It's true you may be out $250 through no fault of your own. But the fizzling of her relationship (if that's what is happening) is a lot bigger problem than being out some money for a dress and shoes. Please don't make her feel guilty about that on top of all her other problems; after all, she didn't do this to you on purpose, or even carelessly. I think sue36's friend went above and beyond to reimburse her attendants.

I once got stuck with airline tickets when my friend's wedding was canceled. She was broken hearted. I'm certainly glad I didn't complain to her about MY loss.

She is your friend; let it go.

Yep....my son and his wife made a trip to New York for a wedding, bought new clothes, etc...went to the rehersal dinner and the next day when they went to the church, they found the wedding had been cancelled.
They had dinner out and went to a movie and...kept the waterford vase!
Linda C

Consider yoursef lucky that you didn't also spend for travel, a gift, hair/makeup, etc etc.

Maybe she hasn't said anything about it because she is still hoping the wedding will take place. And maybe it will. Bringing up this issue will make her feel that the OP is giving up on her hopes.

What an irony it would be if the two friends have a big fight about this before it does, and the OP no longer wants to be in the wedding -- but she's still stuck with the dress and shoes!

Thanks for the replies. I do have to add that a couple months after the purchase she stated that her mother said it would be better for her to pay back the bridesmaids the money they are out than to go thru with a wedding and end up divorced again. I have never been in a wedding before and I really couldn't afford the expense, but accepted because she is a friend. I haven't worn a formal since my high school prom so I don't ever see wearing it for any other occasion. I could re-coup some of the cost by reselling it, but I don't really know how to bring that subject up. So for now I will just keep it and hope for the best for her.

Good for you; you are doing exactly the right thing. It's not as if she simply changed her mind about the type of dress, or decided to have a destination wedding instead, or something. You are being a good friend.

I'm sorry it's a wasted expense for you, though. Maybe it that's owill help you to feel better to consider that you aren't out any more than you would have been had the wedding taken place: you'd still be out the money for a dress and shoes you might not be able to wear again, having worn them only once for a few hours (and then if you sold them, you couldn't write "brand new; never worn," which you can now if it comes to that). In fact, you probably would have been out MORE money, for a wedding gift and perhaps a shower and shower gift, salon costs, travel expenses, and who knows what all else. It is usually costly and inconvenient to be in a wedding party; we suck it up as a nice thing to do for a friend. And that's what you are doing!