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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wedding situation

135 replies

Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 19:08

Possibly outing but AIBU?

I’m going to a wedding soon and I’m part of the bridal party. The idea was for me to stay in the same hotel as the bride and groom as we’re not local. The hotel room was to be paid for by me - but it is expensive. We’ve booked to stay at another, cheaper hotel instead, with the plan being I would get to them first thing on the day.

I let them know this and it has really upset them. I have been told to cancel my booking and pay for the room at their hotel otherwise they will lose the deposit and also because they intended on using my room as a place for storage and other guests/children to be in. They have offered to pay the difference so they can still use it.

I had no idea of their intentions for the room. It had been ‘book the room, it’ll be nice for you and DH’. No mention of it needing to be used for anything else. I can afford the room at a push but that will need to go on a credit card and I don’t really want to do that.

AIBU? I just feel a bit, I don’t know, used? Give my head a wobble people, please.

OP posts:
Discoprincess6 · 29/07/2025 21:39

Coffeeishot · 29/07/2025 20:45

Can you imagine going through bags and drawers!

Exactly. Plus do you even know all the people who would be granted access to your room? Could be someone weirdo who steals underwear from washing lines and riffles through your underwear….i am exaggerating quite a bit I know! Ha!

Tigger1895 · 29/07/2025 21:39

Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 19:40

I believe it’s just for the morning before going to the ceremony, but when I got married I booked a room with my bridal party getting ready in it in mind. I never even saw inside the rooms I’d booked for my bridesmaids, they just came to my room to get ready.

You might believe it’s for people to get ready but trust me it’s not. I attended a wedding where my room ended up being used because children were tired and the mother didn’t want to leave. When it was time for me to go to bed, I found the father fast asleep in my bed with 1 of his kids.

Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 21:37

CarlaLemarchant · 29/07/2025 21:20

That’s not true though, she’s clarified that she did know they were booking a room on her behalf.

TBH I don’t know what their arrangement with the hotel is - I know they have a room and there was this other room reserved for me, and I was asked to call the hotel and pay for it over the phone. I didn’t know anything about finances, deposits etc. I don’t really ever stay in hotels except when we go on holiday - I usually Airbnb everywhere I go. I made an assumption that me not staying there wouldn’t be an issue, not knowing that there were plans for my room to be used by uncle tom cobley and all for a few hours. It’s more than just people popping in and out while we get ready, it’s for kids of the bridal party to be whilst the bridal party get ready in the other room. The whole thing has just exhausted me today so I’m off to bed and hoping not to dream about it!

OP posts:
Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 21:33

Nestingbirds · 29/07/2025 21:27

My reply would be:

’I am afraid our childcare has fallen through, and we are unable to find a trusted replacement so neither room will be required after all. Have a great party and let’s celebrate with cocktails next time we see each other’

Over my dead body would I be prepared to shell out so much money on a non wedding for two cfs like this! Pull out op and use the money to treat your dc to a special unexpected holiday!

Edited

Honestly, this is exactly how I feel. I’ve only booked our summer holiday off work and the thought of using those days of annual leave on my kids instead is so much more appealing.

OP posts:
Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 21:32

AuntMarch · 29/07/2025 21:17

Right, what was DH supposed to do while all that was going on?!

He just hasn’t been thought about really - well, that’s what it feels like. He was actually intending to either relax in the room or do a bit of remote working for an hour or two in the morning as he has a lot on at the moment.

OP posts:
Therealjudgejudy · 29/07/2025 21:27

They sound very rude and entitled.

I wouldn't back down on this

Nestingbirds · 29/07/2025 21:27

My reply would be:

’I am afraid our childcare has fallen through, and we are unable to find a trusted replacement so neither room will be required after all. Have a great party and let’s celebrate with cocktails next time we see each other’

Over my dead body would I be prepared to shell out so much money on a non wedding for two cfs like this! Pull out op and use the money to treat your dc to a special unexpected holiday!

TerrierCollector · 29/07/2025 21:23

CarlaLemarchant · 29/07/2025 21:20

That’s not true though, she’s clarified that she did know they were booking a room on her behalf.

Oops, I must have missed that! Still, if she can’t afford it she can’t afford it and they’re CFs for expecting her room to be used by others!

CarlaLemarchant · 29/07/2025 21:20

TerrierCollector · 29/07/2025 21:18

I don’t think it’s fair for them to be pissed off at all because it doesn’t seem like they explained to OP that they’d be booking it or that they’d be paying a deposit. They just suggested it would be a nice thing for her, so how was she to know it was costing them anything?

I also would not personally like people being in and out of my room, even if it was only in the morning for a short while, and I especially would not like not being told this was the plan in advance.

That’s not true though, she’s clarified that she did know they were booking a room on her behalf.

TerrierCollector · 29/07/2025 21:18

CarlaLemarchant · 29/07/2025 21:15

Hmmm, not sure the B and G are that evil tbh. I can well believe they have a different interpretation of events.

Having a wedding at a hotel. Want to make a block booking of rooms so the bridal party can all be together. Ask op if she wants one of these rooms and tell her the price. She says yes so they make block booking and pay deposit. OP playing it very naive here that she didn’t know there would be any cost or deposit involved to make this booking.

OP changes her mind about the booking leaving B and G out of pocket, they ask her to pay the deposit they have lost out on.

The people using the room is a bit of a red herring, OP makes it sound like it’s an all day thing but when pushed states that it’s just a few people close to the family having some where to sit and out things in the morning. When I got married and other weddings I’ve been to where there is accomodation on site, we were in and out of each others rooms in the morning. Maybe they’ve been a bit cheeky but I can see why they are pissed off with OP.

I don’t think it’s fair for them to be pissed off at all because it doesn’t seem like they explained to OP that they’d be booking it or that they’d be paying a deposit. They just suggested it would be a nice thing for her, so how was she to know it was costing them anything?

I also would not personally like people being in and out of my room, even if it was only in the morning for a short while, and I especially would not like not being told this was the plan in advance.

AuntMarch · 29/07/2025 21:17

yeesh · 29/07/2025 19:15

They are being really cheeky expecting you to book a room for them to use for storage & other guests. Rude as fuck in fact.

Right, what was DH supposed to do while all that was going on?!

NightDreaming · 29/07/2025 21:16

Hi “bride”

I’m so sorry this bedroom planning is causing you stress. It really was not my intention and ironically I got on and booked something else without telling you as I was trying to be proactive and not add to your load.

I know I initially said DH and I would stay in the same hotel but as we’ve had sudden unexpected expenses I could not justify the cost any more. So I looked for feasible, cheaper options. I didn’t want you worrying about my finances, and I guess a little was feeling embarrassed about my finances meaning I didn’t want to tell you, so just got on a booked a room.

Had I known you’d needed to put a deposit down or the fact you had planned to use my room as a childcare base I obviously would have discussed it first. To be honest it’s good this part has been flagged now as DH & I would not have been keen on other peoples kids being in our room. Hopefully one of the other wedding party can open up their room to this use.

In the meantime I will contact the hotel we are booked into and find out about their cancellation policy.

Hopefully this is all sorted soon, you have enough to the thinking about, you really don’t need to have our sleeping seat the top of your to do list.

love
Cheesehound

(whatever you do, good luck. Does feel bloody cheeky they’ve booked in an extra use for your room which they are making you pay for).

CarlaLemarchant · 29/07/2025 21:15

Hmmm, not sure the B and G are that evil tbh. I can well believe they have a different interpretation of events.

Having a wedding at a hotel. Want to make a block booking of rooms so the bridal party can all be together. Ask op if she wants one of these rooms and tell her the price. She says yes so they make block booking and pay deposit. OP playing it very naive here that she didn’t know there would be any cost or deposit involved to make this booking.

OP changes her mind about the booking leaving B and G out of pocket, they ask her to pay the deposit they have lost out on.

The people using the room is a bit of a red herring, OP makes it sound like it’s an all day thing but when pushed states that it’s just a few people close to the family having some where to sit and out things in the morning. When I got married and other weddings I’ve been to where there is accomodation on site, we were in and out of each others rooms in the morning. Maybe they’ve been a bit cheeky but I can see why they are pissed off with OP.

Changingplace · 29/07/2025 21:14

siucra · 29/07/2025 21:08

Just go along with it. Yes, it’s cheeky but for the sake of no drama just go with it. I’m all about being easy going these days (trying to stop a lifetime of not) because it makes life easier. At the end of the day, what does it matter? They are paying the difference. Smile, no problem, and you’ll be back in your own house after the wedding. I think being part of the bridal party you are seen as a skivvy not an honoured guest, so just go with it.

Wow are you always such a pushover? What a miserable way to live.

siucra · 29/07/2025 21:08

Just go along with it. Yes, it’s cheeky but for the sake of no drama just go with it. I’m all about being easy going these days (trying to stop a lifetime of not) because it makes life easier. At the end of the day, what does it matter? They are paying the difference. Smile, no problem, and you’ll be back in your own house after the wedding. I think being part of the bridal party you are seen as a skivvy not an honoured guest, so just go with it.

Coconutter24 · 29/07/2025 21:04

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/07/2025 20:57

This all sounds like BS to me.

Sounds like the bride is a close relative like your sister or something .. Ask if she can use the Maid of Honour's room for storage. ( Most parents would store kids stuff in their own car or own room)

Is the Bride claiming that she's already shelled out a deposit on your behalf for the room... ages ago.. without telling you how much she's spent or asking you to repay her ASAP..

She wants you to cave and cough up for her room and her convenience.

Have a good look at the hotel website... look at their booking terms and conditions.
Hotels know that people change their minds up to the day.

Then ring the hotel. Ask them if that particular room has actually been booked and how much deposit has been paid and if so how much and who paid it.

Usually we find that you have to book hotel rooms at wedding venues as soon as you get the invite because often not everyone can fit in and they are booked up... so I bet that the hotel could easily fill that room. Ask them if that is the case.

usual booking terms might not be applicable here, the room may of been put on the bride and grooms contract at a discounted rate for a wedding guest. A lot of hotels do that but it means if a guest doesn’t pay then the bride and groom are under contract to pay (or fill the room and have that guest pay)

Coconutter24 · 29/07/2025 21:01

MimiSunshine · 29/07/2025 20:52

I disagree. The initial suggestion was just ‘why don’t you (OP) and DH book
a room in the wedding hotel?’ OP said oh yes that would be nice.

no mention if any other obligations or cost impact to the B&G.

so if B&G have booked a venue that also contractually obliges them to fill the rooms, or they’re liable for further costs. They should’ve made it clear from the outset and asked bridal party, close family followed by other guests if they wanted to take a room.
big crucially also be prepared to have those costs if the rooms weren’t taken.

as they didn’t then OP was completely in their rights to choose a cheaper option without mentioning it to B&G.

as for B&G thinking it was essentially a free quiet room for certain guests. That’s completely outrageous idea.
if something of OPs went missing or was ruined would B&G replace it? Unlikely.

B&G were very unreasonable to not mention their expectations beforehand but that wasn’t why OP pulled out, it was due to cost. If she agreed to book a room and the B&G paid a deposit for it then op pulled out because of cost she’s unreasonable because now someone else still has to pay for that room. Yet I do agree they should of let op know before booking they would be liable

PinkPonyClubb · 29/07/2025 20:59

I would be so pissed of at this that I would book the room but no fucker would be using it!

Are you the only guest staying? Why does it have to be your room that is used as a crèche?

Cheesehound · 29/07/2025 20:58

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/07/2025 20:57

This all sounds like BS to me.

Sounds like the bride is a close relative like your sister or something .. Ask if she can use the Maid of Honour's room for storage. ( Most parents would store kids stuff in their own car or own room)

Is the Bride claiming that she's already shelled out a deposit on your behalf for the room... ages ago.. without telling you how much she's spent or asking you to repay her ASAP..

She wants you to cave and cough up for her room and her convenience.

Have a good look at the hotel website... look at their booking terms and conditions.
Hotels know that people change their minds up to the day.

Then ring the hotel. Ask them if that particular room has actually been booked and how much deposit has been paid and if so how much and who paid it.

Usually we find that you have to book hotel rooms at wedding venues as soon as you get the invite because often not everyone can fit in and they are booked up... so I bet that the hotel could easily fill that room. Ask them if that is the case.

No, she’s my friend, not my sister.

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/07/2025 20:57

autienotnaughty · 29/07/2025 20:45

So to clarify did they book a room for you at the hotel? Did they say they would be booking it or was you meant to be booking it?
I’d ring the hotel and check as they could be bull shitting You to get their own way.
Just say to them “sorry I can’t afford a second room, but given you need the room for storage why don’t you book it and use it?”
cheeky sods!!!

This all sounds like BS to me.

Sounds like the bride is a close relative like your sister or something .. Ask if she can use the Maid of Honour's room for storage. ( Most parents would store kids stuff in their own car or own room)

Is the Bride claiming that she's already shelled out a deposit on your behalf for the room... ages ago.. without telling you how much she's spent or asking you to repay her ASAP..

She wants you to cave and cough up for her room and her convenience.

Have a good look at the hotel website... look at their booking terms and conditions.
Hotels know that people change their minds up to the day.

Then ring the hotel. Ask them if that particular room has actually been booked and how much deposit has been paid and if so how much and who paid it.

Usually we find that you have to book hotel rooms at wedding venues as soon as you get the invite because often not everyone can fit in and they are booked up... so I bet that the hotel could easily fill that room. Ask them if that is the case.

MimiSunshine · 29/07/2025 20:52

Coconutter24 · 29/07/2025 20:09

In that case then I think you are both being unreasonable. If you’ve agreed to pay for a hotel room then backed out you’ve left them with the cost of it now. They are being unreasonable because if you’ve agreed to book a hotel room you’re booking it for you and DH, they just assumed it could be used for everyone which is very cheeky without asking.

I disagree. The initial suggestion was just ‘why don’t you (OP) and DH book
a room in the wedding hotel?’ OP said oh yes that would be nice.

no mention if any other obligations or cost impact to the B&G.

so if B&G have booked a venue that also contractually obliges them to fill the rooms, or they’re liable for further costs. They should’ve made it clear from the outset and asked bridal party, close family followed by other guests if they wanted to take a room.
big crucially also be prepared to have those costs if the rooms weren’t taken.

as they didn’t then OP was completely in their rights to choose a cheaper option without mentioning it to B&G.

as for B&G thinking it was essentially a free quiet room for certain guests. That’s completely outrageous idea.
if something of OPs went missing or was ruined would B&G replace it? Unlikely.

whatdoyouthink123456 · 29/07/2025 20:50

If you agreed to pay for it, you should cover the deposit. It is a cheeky ask from them but if you had a problem you should have said before.
check the cancellation policy at the hotel. You need to cover the appropriate cancellation as you’ve changed your mind

Coffeeishot · 29/07/2025 20:48

My Dd had an extra room for her wedding the hotel gave her a reduction as part of her package B&G and their wedding party paid for it and used it for changing and storing belongings so its a good idea but the op has been blindsided, good for her for not staying and paying for it !

SaulHudsonDavidJones · 29/07/2025 20:47

God, they’re awful. They should have been transparent. And also, when will people realise their wedding is not the most important thing in the world, particularly to other people who are forking out money.

autienotnaughty · 29/07/2025 20:45

So to clarify did they book a room for you at the hotel? Did they say they would be booking it or was you meant to be booking it?
I’d ring the hotel and check as they could be bull shitting You to get their own way.
Just say to them “sorry I can’t afford a second room, but given you need the room for storage why don’t you book it and use it?”
cheeky sods!!!

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