Courtney Duffy was all set to serve as bridesmaid to her friend Alexandra, supporting her on her special day. She had bought the outfit (a jumpsuit) and secured a cross-country flight from her college to the venue, flying back the same evening of the wedding because of a clash with her university classes.

But despite that sacrifice, her friend had other ideas. She sent Duffy an email relieving her of her bridesmaid duties and asking her to return the jumpsuit so that another friend could take her place.

“I’m so glad to hear you booked your flights,” Alexandra’s email to Duffy begins. “I have a massive favour to ask you though – and this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to ask anyone – but I need to ask you to relinquish your duties as bridesmaid.”

The bride’s reasoning was that Duffy was not sufficiently involved in the day-to-day planning of the wedding. Duffy, currently doing an MBA at the prestigious American college Dartmouth, wasn’t available for the bachelorette trip, the pre-wedding prep and needed to leave early on the night to fly home. “The whirlwind nature of what your travel has become just won’t work with the duties as a party member,” Alexandra wrote. “I am so, so sorry!!” 

Alexandra then asked Duffy to return the jumpsuit – “I know this is incredibly awkward” – so that another friend could take her place. “Please don’t feel like you’re letting me down,” the bride wrote. “I am asking you to do this. I love and value your friendship so much…”

Duffy shared a screenshot of the email exchange (since deleted) on Twitter, begging airline Jet Blue to refund her cross country flights. “Booked my X-C flights for a wedding, then was asked ‘to relinquish’ my “duties as a bridesmaid” so another girl could fill in and wear it. I am laughing & crying & must avoid this wedding at all costs. Pls help?”

Not only did Jet Blue provide Duffy with a voucher and waived her cancellation fees, they also put their hands up to help foster a potential reunion between the pair down the track. 

The Internet, on the other hand, had nothing but support for the axed bridesmaid.

“Girl, you keep that jumpsuit and do a photoshoot in it,” one user Tweeted. Another added: "”I promise we’re totally cool” is slang for “I’m not mad at you, IDGAF if you’re mad at me and also if you try to talk to me about this I will unleash the righteous wrath of Bridezilla upon you and yours evermore mmk thnx.” 

One Twitter user offered some tough love to Duffy. 

It sounds like Duffy has taken the advice to heart. Before she turned her social media accounts to private this weekend, she Tweeted to her followers that she “did not expect this response” but that “weddings have gotten totally out of control.”

“I’m hoping this threat reminds future lovebirds and bridal parties to keep their feet on the ground :)” 

We’re just hoping she kept the jumpsuit. 

Images: Unsplash