On one hand, I feel terrible.

I need to listen to my instincts. Also, I hate e-mail.

First, there were 3 help me e-mails.

Then there was an appointment. After arriving 10 minutes late for her fitting with her fitting, taking her sweet time trying on her dress, she informs me that she cannot commit to alterations without her mother seeing it.

This is important and I understand completely. The real question is "why did you waste an hour of my time." Was it to complain about a bridal store I have never even heard of much less am affiliated? Sure.

I then get an e-mail saying she is buying another dress. Based on her reaction last week, I think she's making the right move.

Also, an e-mail asking if she can set up an appointment for bridesmaid A. Also with complains about how the aforementioned bridal store ordered the wrong dress/color/size/etc.

Another asking if she could set up one for B, C, and D.

Another asking if they have appointments scheduled.  (By the way, did you know this bridal store is evil?)

Another asking why.

And then:

"I hope you can keep them all at $xx.xx with the exception of the purple and V's since she's a student. I hope you understand this was all so unexpected to us and I cannot understand why they ordered the dresses so big. Once more thank you."

The most frustrating alteration is one where the bride, bridesmaid, etc. hates the dress from the start. Sometimes it's a fit issue. Sometime it's wrong color. Sometimes it's the dress that your younger, prettier friend has chosen that is absolutely the wrong shape for your body, a terrible color, and makes you feel old, fat, and extra single.

I am not proud of my reply. Also, it was a schooch cold.

"I will do my best to keep them all at $x. I am sorry you had a bad experience with the bridal shop. However, I need to remind you that I am in no way affiliated with them and cannot be held financially responsible for their mistake. I will do my best to keep costs down;  however, I need to be paid for the work I do."

I am not very proud of this reply, and I feel terrible that it was worded in a way that my original intention (a heads up that I will do my best to keep costs down and a reminder that I am not affiliated with the evil store) was misinterpreted as an attack on her intention to pay. For that, I feel terrible.

However, I also have no regrets about explaining the pricing and reminding her I am not the bad guy. Maybe this week has left me a little cold hearted, but I am not willing to lower my fee because save the dates were too expensive.

I also can't figure out why I'm posting something that makes me feel so terrible. Is it because the week as a whole has been awful? Will writing it make it more real? Will I be proud to have said what I think is right or regret this?

Instincts, next time you need to connect with my backbone and not the softhearted side. I'll consider this post a small step.