weddings and oaps

[Hullygully]

I have been invited to a wedding where the bride has developed what must really be called a phobia about old people. (Long story)

She refuses to have any one over 70 in case there is a "medical emergency" which would spoil her day and in order to avoid an outcry she proposes to organise a coach trip for the old people to see The Lion King as a treat on the same day with a special tea at a Holiday Inn afterwards and a video link to her ceremony.

Her mother is 72 and is allowed to go because she recently passed a stringent medical, but no one else of a similar age is allowed. My mother is 73 and looked after her a lot when she was little and really wants to go. Also, she has seen The Lion King already. I think she should be allowed to go to the wedding as a fit and healthy sort of "extra" mother. AIBU?

[Astelia]

it just gets better. Poor poodle.

[ComposHat]

This must be a joke . Either way I laughed so hard I nearly ruptured myself.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

It is an amazing story.

[garlicbollocks]

Gosh, Hully, what a story!

Looks like your bride's phobia is the real deal - an irrational terror of old people at weddings - so no amount of logic will overcome it. Part of the definition of a phobia is that it is irrational! Could be worse, I suppose; imagine if she had a fear of rings

Anyways ... What she's done wrong is not to have this phobia, which she can't help. It's over-managing it. I think she ought to come clean with the overseas guests, so they have a choice between being sort-of there on the day or being remotely there via t'interweb.

Dictating cinema entertainment for the over-70s is weird and controlling, even though she meant well. It would be kinder to set them up in a comfy environment together, with a big-screen live feed of her wedding. I also feel they should be invited to the after-party, as the 'danger' is then over.

[MinnieBar]

Do they get the choice to tell her to shove it and just NOT GO?

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Methinks Hully is not being entirely truthful.

No one could be this deranged.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

I love the Lion King. Can I go with the over 70s? Am 8 months pregnant but a qualified first aider so might be of use.

Also, what happened to the Poodle? Was it miniature, toy, or standard poodle?

[TheBigJessie]

So, Hully...

What post challenge were you set? Whatever it was, I think you won! Perhaps a demerit for believability!

[minouminou]

So much for the circle of life, eh


This is one of the funniest things I've see on here in ages!

Put us out of our misery and tell us it's not true.....

[nickelbabylyinginamanger]

i need to know the proper story.

i suppose there are no babies either?
what about people with known illnesses? she should ban asthmatics too.
and anyone who takes regular medication.

[AudrinaAdare]

The first ever autism-friendly west-end performance is The Lion King in April

Has the bride seen it? Surely she would know that we, even the elderly, are all part of the Great Circle of Life?

[101handbags]

This is so funny, it can't be true. One of my favourite threads ever. My family are also totally crazy and have been thinking how I could have a wedding without them... thanks for giving me the idea... I think a trip to the National Theatre would suit them more, many are rather clever/intellectual types.

[ChristmasNamechangeBridezilla]

The phobia about old people is a real thing.

I used to work with someone who had it, she couldn't go into a post office without having a panic attack. [Sorry, not funny]

[ipswichwitch]

well, if you follow her logic she should also ban stepmothers, overweight people, alcohol, flower baskets and poodles.

[ChaoticintheNewYear]

Guessing this is a comment on children at weddings?

This ^^

[TheVermiciousKnid]

I agree, I think it's about child-free weddings. In which case - good point well made. (Circle of life and all that.)

[CinnabarRed]

I used to work with someone who had a phobia of mushrooms.

And another whose DH was phobic of buttons. She had to do his shirt up for him every morning because he couldn't do it himself. When she went away on business she would prep enough shirts to cover her absence by doing up all but the top button and then he could pull it shut at the neck using his tie.

[FloweryDrawers]

Having failed to come up with a response that doesn't involve the words Creosoted Fuck, I will have to leave the advice to others.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

An ex boss's wife had a phobia of balloons, so any Christmas events I organised had to be balloon free.

[BackforGood]

Marking place to find out what hallogenic drug is the true source of this story.

[Tee2072]

Hully is a poster of long standing but I'm finding it hard to swallow this story.

[marchwillsoonbehere]

I used to work with someone who had a phobia of mushrooms. And another whose DH was phobic of buttons.

Good thing it wasn't the same person Cinnabar...imagine having a phobia of button mushrooms

[YouOldSlag]

I believed it until the fat stepmother landed on the poodle.