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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to feel lukewarm about attending this second wedding?

153 replies

RobinsAreTerritorialFuckers · 31/07/2016 01:51

Yes, I feel like a horrible person. But:

My friend got married a couple of years ago. Initially, she had quite big plans (wedding here and in Canada where she's from, big dress, etc. etc.), but she had to move the wedding forward a few weeks because of her job, and along the way she ended up with something a bit simpler. I was there and, with another good friend, we organised a hen do and (on the bride's response to us asking what she'd like) paid for someone to come and do her hair and makeup, and we did all the other things you do. It was a small wedding party - family and close friends - although I thought it was lovely.

At the time, she said she might organise a reception in Canada for friends from home who hadn't been able to make it. It was clear at this point that I would not be able to travel for this, for what it's worth.

Roll on two years, and I have got a save the date card for her 'wedding' in late 2017. Which, apparently, is the 'proper wedding' she thinks she didn't get. There is a link to a wedding website, a large gift list (including the suggestion guests donate for people back in Canada who can't come over here), and an RVSP. Within a week I had a chase-up phonecall asking if I'd got the Save the Date.

I am in two minds here. On the one hand, she is a friend, who ended up having a much smaller wedding than she obviously wanted, and she will clearly be upset if I don't come. On the other, I feel a bit treated as a cash cow/prop in her weddings, and - if all goes smoothly - I will have a still quite new baby when her second wedding takes place. We're not announcing the pregnancy for another six weeks, but even if we could say that was the reason for turning down the invitation, I still feel fed up. Am I being unfair?

OP posts:
UnexpectedBaggage · 31/07/2016 06:22

^

This. Just say no.

Ragwort · 31/07/2016 06:27

Totally ridiculous, just decline.

ScarletForYa · 31/07/2016 06:28

It's in Canada?

Surely that means you simply decline on financial grounds. I think the save the date card was just a polite gesture. I find think she's expecting you to actually go.

ScarletForYa · 31/07/2016 06:28

I don't* think she's expecting you to actually go.

allegretto · 31/07/2016 06:30

I don't think having a second wedding is much different to having a blessing (which I guess it will be actually) but it is unreasonable to have a wedding list! I would just have described it as a party and asked people to contact me if they wanted to give a gift (but make it clear it wasn't expected!)

KC225 · 31/07/2016 06:39

I assumed the second wedding was in Canada. But it's here, 2 years later to the same bloke. That is nuts. And too cheeky expecting more gifts. I don't think you'll be the only one declining.

In six weeks time, you have the perfect reason to decline the invitation. Set your stall put as soon as poss ans stand firm. Just say, you are not going to put any pressure on yourself to accept invitations with the baby being so small. Before she has a chance to get huffy, say I know you will understand especially as I have such treasured memories of helping with first one.

OneArt · 31/07/2016 06:47

YANBU. I too would feel lukewarm about the invitation. As she's a close friend, I'd still go to the wedding (assuming I could bring my baby and it wasn't too far away) but I definitely wouldn't buy another present.

FlorisApple · 31/07/2016 06:55

Bloody hell. A do-over. I really hope this is not a trend. I love weddings, generally, but it's not just a day for dressing up. It kind of loses it's meaning if it's not in relation to the actual vows and symbolic commitment, surely.

LyndaNotLinda · 31/07/2016 07:09

I might have a wedding. There isn't anyone I want to marry but I don't think that matters. I deserve 'the dat of my dreams'.

You're all coming right? I've started making my gift list plus I think I'd like contributions to my holiday in Costa Rica.

dudsville · 31/07/2016 07:16

I hate weddings (parties, socialising, etc.) So I would be giving it my all to go to the 1st and it would not worry me at all not going to any subsequent weddings. I do think it's overkill doing and wedding to to the same person only a couple of years later and I'd see some deeper meaning other than the party just not being fabulous enough. My 40th sucked but I'm hardly going to redo it.

Philoslothy · 31/07/2016 07:21

I love a wedding and so would love the chance to go again!

soyvanillalatte · 31/07/2016 07:24

No YANBU.
I was in the position of having a "non wedding" (registry, in another country to family and friends, no dress, 3 people there only) wedding and always thought I might have a "proper" one later.
Then, at the "point of sale", I realised it was as real as it was going to get. I even cried.
My Husband and friends often say we could do another "blessing" but it just feels odd to me. I meant it when we did it, albeit in a different way to the way I always imagined. Doing it again would feel so false! It would also, to some extent, diminish the real promises that we made the first time. I could never do it just for show.

So. Not about the wedding but more an "all about ME" from your friend I'd say.

Magstermay · 31/07/2016 07:28

This does seem a bit bizarre, but I guess if she couldn't have everyone she wanted here first time round it's kind of a vow renewal and party?

As a pp said is she expecting people to donate money to her relatives in Canada?!

It's only a save the date so I'd just say you've got it and ask polite questions. All being well your baby would be 6 months or so then and you may feel you can go. I wouldn't be spending any money on attending though unless you really want to and certainly no second gift!! It sounds like you were very generous first time round and no one should expect a full on hen do etc again.

Imbroglio · 31/07/2016 07:37

Makes no sense to me at all. I wonder what her husband thinks about it. If I was him I'd be worried that nothing he does will ever be good enough.

Ps do you think they'll have 2 divorces?

PeppaIsMyHero · 31/07/2016 07:40

Sounds like it'd be an interesting party! If you want to go, then do.

You don't have to participate in the huge donate / gift / spend your life savings aspects.

I would wonder why she feels the need to create such a big deal 2-3 years after getting married. Is she unhappy?

JellyBelly89 · 31/07/2016 07:42

My brother is planning on this. I don't know how I will really care considering I didn't get to go to the 'first' wedding last year as I didn't make the cut out of their friends and the second one is all and sundry. Get married = job done. She sounds grabby.

TendonQueen · 31/07/2016 07:45

I'm disturbed that so many people know of this being done. Two sets ofpresents? How can people think this is reasonable?

LoreleiGilmoreIsMyBFF · 31/07/2016 07:54

Lynda. In one of those 'Take a Break' magazines I read regularly buy for my mum, there was an article about a woman who married herself....

Sooverthis · 31/07/2016 07:58

I'd go but I love parties. I wouldn't buy another gift if I'd already given a gift and if asked I'd say just that ' but I gave you a toaster/set of steak knives/honeymoon contribution last time did you not get it I'm sure I've still got the receipt/confirmation'. I wouldn't be paying or organising anything because of the new baby (congratulations) but she doesn't need to know that yet and I'm assuming doesn't expect that sort of help this time as she hasn't discussed plans with you.

Banana99 · 31/07/2016 08:00

How about a bit of bride-entitlement.....

It's not a wedding it's a blessing - trying to make it sound like more to get people to go and get more stuff!!

Just no, use baby as an excuse, I think she's going to be quite surprised how few people will want to travel. I'll be surprised if anymone but immediate family does.

Oh and asking for donations for people who can't go - scummy, really really scummy.

Tartyflette · 31/07/2016 08:15

Jelly that sounds really shitty for you. is your brother being somewhat grabby too?

Tinklypoo · 31/07/2016 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pearlylum · 31/07/2016 08:16

THis is not a wedding, it's a "look at me" party.

You are not a horrible person. I would have no hesitation in refusing the invite.
Your friend sounds about 8 years old.

LyndaNotLinda · 31/07/2016 08:22

Lorelei - ha! I could be in Take a Break Grin

Jellie - Shock that's awful!

jay55 · 31/07/2016 08:22

I'd want to decline but I'd also want to hear the gossip at the reception as its bound to be juicy.

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