Bride-to-be “Katie” coordinates heist with mother to steal best friend’s wedding dress for her own engagement photoshoot, tries to play it off as having borrowed it: ‘[I] wanted to feel special too’

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Aug 18, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Every friendship has their own set of rules set by each individual's boundaries. Still, it seems like there is a set of universal, yet unspoken, rules of friendship that every bestie just ought to know. For example, everyone knows that you shouldn't date your best friend's ex, spoil the end of a show that they're bingeing, or touch their wedding dress without their express permission.

I've personally seen brides treat their wedding gowns with the kind of reverence usually reserved for priceless artifacts. One of my friends vacuum-sealed hers in a box that looked like it belonged in a museum. My aunt made me and my cousins all wash our hands before coming within five feet of hers – which, made sense given that we were all rambunctious elementary schoolers at the time. In any case, this behavior makes sense. Because of all of the money, stress, and memories wrapped up in a single garment, it gains something of its own life essence and aura. 

That is exactly why today's best friend betrayal feels extra cruel. Our protagonist is moments away from commenting "Congrats!" on her bestie's engagement photos on Instagram when she realizes she recognizes she bride-to-be's dress. It's her exact same wedding dress. Not a lookalike, not a dress with a similar vibe, but the exact same dress – tiny hem stain and all! Head on down to find out exactly how she got her hands on the closely-guarded treasure.

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  • 01

    My best friend "borrowed" my wedding dress for her engagement photos without telling me

    Photographer fixes bride's wedding dress as she poses with groom
    via Erstudiostok

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 02
    1 (28F) got married last year. My best friend "Katie" (29F) was my maid of honor, and she was wonderful during the wedding. Or so I thought.
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 03
    Last week, I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw her engagement photos and I almost dropped my phone. She was wearing MY WEDDING DRESS.
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 04
    Close up of people holding hands, one wears engagement ring and a bracelet
    via Rodrigo Larios

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 05
    Like, literally mine, not just a similar style. Down to the tiny stain near the hem only I would notice.
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 06
    I confronted her and she admitted she "borrowed it" because she "wanted to feel special too" and thought I
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 07
    "wouldn't mind since I already wore it." She had asked her mom to sneak it out of my parents' house (where it was being
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 08
    stored) and bring it to her. I feel so violated. That dress was sentimental, and she didn't even ask.
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96
  • 09
    She insists I'm overreacting and that I should be flattered she "loved the dress enough to want it." I can't even look at her right now.
    via u/Artistic_Anything_96

  • This is really messed up and all, but I am really impressed by the cooperation behind this mother-daughter petty crime duo!

  • 10
    A white wedding dress on a hanger, in the background several more
    via anytka

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 11
    misstiff1971 She isn't your friend. Tell your mother that you want nothing to do with her or her stealing mother. Your mother should be appalled.
    via u/misstiff1971
  • 12
    CuddleHushhh Exactly. A real friend would never steal something so personal and meaningful. OP
    via u/CuddleHushhh
  • 13
    deserves better than someone who crosses boundaries like that and then tries to make them feel guilty for being upset.
    via u/CuddleHushhh
  • 14
    BunnyDazzlee Exactly. A real friend would never cross such a huge boundary, let alone steal something so sentimental.
    via u/BunnyDazzlee
  • 15
    Cutting ties is the only way to protect yourself from more betrayal.
    via u/BunnyDazzlee
  • 16
    PlasmaFerret_18 That's not borrowing, that's straight up theft with extra steps. The audacity of getting her mom involved in this heist too
    via u/PlasmaFerret_18
  • 17
    MyRedditUserName428 Did she sneak it back into your mother's house? Or is she still in possession of your stolen property?
    via u/MyRedditUserName428
  • 18
    BlueMoonTone Take screenshots of her wearing your dress and send her and her mother a cleaning invoice for the dress, with a threat that if they
    via u/BlueMoonTone
  • 19
    don't pay, you have proof that she stole the dress. End this friendship, they are liars and thieves. Who knows what else they have/will steal from you.
    via u/BlueMoonTone
  • 20
    Gruffswife She knew she was wrong that is why she says you are over reacting
    via u/Gruffswife
  • 21
    Smart-Fly-3919 She didn't ask because she knew you'd say no... wth This is horrid
    via u/Smart-Fly-3919
  • 22
    Two women in disagreement in front of a black background
    via jmartinstock

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story. 

  • 23
    bellamellayellafella Makes me wonder what else this "friend" "borrowed". And shame on her mother for going along with it.
    via u/bellamellayellafella

  • Right, there totally has to be a history of theft here. This just happens to be the first time they got caught!

  • 24
    stickylarue She knew it was wrong to do it hence why she snuck (stole) it.
    via u/stickylarue
  • 25
    Honest and integral people do not do clandestine and sneaky things behind people's backs. Guilty people do.
    via u/stickylarue
  • 26
    She didn't borrow it. She stole it. Borrow implies you gave consent for your property to be used.
    via u/stickylarue
  • 27
    If this was me, friendship over. The trust and respect is gone. We are also the reflection of those we associate with and I don't hang out with liars and thieves. Or their mothers.
    via u/stickylarue
  • 28
    StigitUK Your best friend got engaged, held a party to celebrate wearing your wedding dress and you weren't invited...
    via u/StigitUK
  • 29
    Ratchet_gurl24 She had her mother STEAL your wedding dress. She then photographed herself wearing your STOLEN wedding dress. She laughed about it when you confronted her, dismissing your outrage at her STEALING your dress.
    via u/Ratchet_gurl24
  • 30
    She can try to spin it however she likes, but she STOLE your dress, openly photographed her illegal possession of your property, and
    via u/Ratchet_gurl24
  • 31
    is now acting like the victim. Not sure how it would work out, but I'd definitely file charges of theft, and go NC with her. All those fabulous photos she shared online will be her undoing.
    via u/Ratchet_gurl24

Tags

friendship relationship advice best friends wedding drama friends reddit story relationships parenting wedding wedding dress Reddit mom entitled people
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