I'll Take My Ball and Go Home

When Kimberly and I met with Debbie the florist, we were blown away! She was exactly what we were looking for. She had great ideas, was very motivated and made us feel she would take care of making the wedding beautiful. Her price was great, too, so that was a nice surprise. I was so excited, I shared the news of our meeting with Mimi. I told her that Debbie could rent us the chuppah fully decorated for $500, because the venue does not have a chuppah. I had already told Mimi and Elliot that I would not pay for the chuppah rental. I also told Mimi that Debbie would do a sample centerpiece and show it to us at the venue so we could see how it would look on the table. I told her that I would let her know when that would be. I also said that I was in contact with Kimberly's maid of honor and one of her bridesmaids who are planning the bridal shower. It was a really nice -- and normal -- e-mail. What I got back knocked my socks right off. "I know you said "your place" included a chuppah and "my place" doesn't so you are making us pay for the chuppah. But "your place" only included a frame and was undecorated so I thought you were making us pay for the frame. Why does this price include the decoration? Rachel (her daughter) is also in touch with the bridesmaids and has discussed dates and ideas with them. I will get a count on how many vases and which shapes I have." She had offered to Kimberly at the very beginning of the planning that she had vases we could use for the centerpieces. She had even texted me photos and told me the dimensions so I could share that with the florist. Using the vases would, of course, save me money. I responded to her nasty e-mail by saying simply that the florist was going to break down the price and that I was merely keeping her informed of what was going on. After discussing with Kimberly, we decided to go with Debbie the florist for the flowers. I e-mailed Mimi to tell her that we had decided on Debbie and she e-mailed me back saying we couldn't use the vases now. I immediately called Kimberly who was super pissed since she had seen Mimi just a few days before and even discussed the vases but Mimi never mentioned we couldn't use them. I told Kimberly that is was okay and to not make a big deal about it. That it was better this way. I hate to be beholden to anyone, especially someone like Mimi who has no idea how to work together as a team to accomplish anything. Debbie, the florist, was great and said she would get the vases wholesale for us so it would only add about a dollar to each arrangement. I realize that I was dealing with a very petty, childish, spoiled woman who was not at all interested in planning this wedding together or in even getting along. While it infuriated me that she was treating me like crap, more than anything, I had a feeling of dread for my daughter who would have this woman in her life for a very long time.