As my fiancée and I are both girls our wedding parties will be mixed-gender. I have 4 male and 2 female friends in mind to ask to stand with me. One of the guys and one of the girls are a couple. Would it be weird for them to stand on the same side, as they're a couple? I don't want to put them off, as the 2 girls are probably my 2 best female friends and I'm very close with the guy in the couple. Also for programmes, what is the best term to use for them? Bridesmaid for female, what about male? Can usher be a gender-neutral term or is that strictly male?

I agreed to be in my friends wedding. She claimed it would be inexpensive as possible. I just finished school and work ONE day a week. It started with the MOH texts, guest list of 60 people, sit-down brunch, with a tea party theme. What alarmed me was the MOH never consulted with us about budgets, buffet versus sit-down meal, different locations, other affordable themes. The brunch is estimated $2,500 before decorations. Her mother is only paying for centerpieces and invites. This party could cost me upwards of $300 excluding a gift. Long story short, the bride indicated she understood and her wedding was to be fun. She's been passive aggressive texting she would cancel the shower all-together, She stated how there was time for all of us to save money, that I could always split half the cost with the two MOH's, which is still hefty at $150. I thought a bridal shower was a GIFT to the bride, which the bridesmaids plan and select the budget? I feel her responses have been borderline rude, suggesting I start a savings account for her party? I have no problem spending $75 toward cupcakes, flowers, balloons, etc., but not paying for the entire party. I've confronted both bride and MOH about my situation, they say it's understood, but then I'm still receiving texts about "what everyone is contributing financially." I'm sticking to my personal boundaries, that is, I refuse to go into debt, however how do I do that without ruining the friendship? I've communicated several times, I am fresh out of school, job hunting with $80,000 in student debt. I intended to buy gifts and my dress and alterations. However, I need to look out for myself and my own future stability. She reassured it wasn't going to be wildly expensive. If I work one day a week, she's basically expecting me to save my whole months paycheck and hand it over. The situation is extremely straining because I am not happy with the expectations.

I'm 22 and with my girlfriend 5 years. Unfortunately I am getting sentenced in 3 weeks and just agreed a plea deal where I will be getting 1-3 years in prison and then parole. We had planned to get married this Summer but put it off a few months ago after I got arrested. We have a 3 year old son and my girlfriend is 3 months pregnant. She has stuck by me through this and will visit me in prison but I would like to get married before I go to prison but not sure what she will say. I know her family don't want her to marry me but I think it would be good if we married to show that we are serious about each other, even with all that happened, and a proper family for my son and the baby.