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Another hen do dilemma

11 replies

Bloated350 · 25/09/2026 18:22

It's a group of school friends, we've been friends since start of high school and mid 30s now.
I'm part of the group but not really a 'part" of it, I feel.
This woman has a 18 month old daughter who I've never met, when she was born I posted a card (she lives about 2h drive).
I have done the 2h trip to see her a few times, last time was 2 years ago, the previous times another friend from the group actually lived with her so I used to go to see them both, but they've never been up to me.

I was meant to go to travel to her at the start of this year, but i had to postpone as I got hit with a ton of bills of nearly 1k (im a landlord). She understood, once I got paid again and got back on my feet, I messaged her asking which date was best for me to rearrange, she never replied.

I felt bad for cancelling (gave about 5 days' notice) but I was struggling to pay bills. I last saw her about 1 year ago at a mutual friend's wedding. No conversations except for 'happy birthday' on the group chat and so on.

I've been invited on the hen do but I'm reluctant to spend much money, it's currently being planned by her bridesmaids, but I'm waiting to hear about a price, if I get a '£200 per person" msg, I'm thinking why should I?

They've never thought 'I wonder how Bloated is doing, I'll have to go down and see her'.

OP posts:
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Bloated350 · 25/09/2026 19:30

I'm already left out in a sense, the ones with kids all meet up, which i understand for the kids, but does being a mum mean you no longer associate with non-parents?

OP posts:
Bloated350 · 25/09/2026 19:29

Just sick of these hens costing hundreds of pounds, why does it all have to be so over the top.

OP posts:
AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · 25/09/2026 18:40

I'm not seeing the 'dilemma' at all?

Aaloyisha · 25/09/2026 18:37

It’s really not a dilemma.

All you need is ‘ Thanks so much for the invite but I’m afraid I can’t make it. Have a fabulous time’.

The friendship will drift, but that’s already happening. You’re all moving on with your lives and it’s no drama.

Naurrr · 25/09/2026 18:35

It's not a dilemma, don't go. She's been clear she is not your friend.

DedododoDedadada · 25/09/2026 18:34

If you don't want to go just say no

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 25/09/2026 18:32

If you hadn’t been invited you’d probably have been hurt to have been left out of the rest of the group was invited. If you can’t afford/don’t want to prioritise it that’s fine, just say unfortunately you can’t Make it. If you do go you might have a good time and cement the old bonds. Who knows. It’s fine to go or not to go, but choose which feels more comfortable and accept the consequences without resentment if you can

Mumtobabyhavoc · 25/09/2026 18:31

It sounds like this friendship has died. Move on.

Pleatherandlace · 25/09/2026 18:28

You’re more like acquaintances than friends so if you don’t fancy it don’t go.

holachicatita · 25/09/2026 18:25

Nah I'd make an excuse and skip this one

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 25/09/2026 18:23

Sack it.

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