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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:
EllenMP · 03/08/2016 20:20

I would tell her about the baby -- you can't make travel plans for that soon after the birth so it's a handy excuse. And no gift needed if you gave one the first time around.

Drbint · 03/08/2016 20:38

Minus a baby I'd go to this shit, although how she can claim it's a wedding after THREE YEARS of marriage, fuck knows.

My friend went to a really expensive 'wedding' where the best man announced in the speeches that the couple had secretly been married for two years. It did not go down well. Friend showed me pics of the ceremony - bride literally crying with joy in her huge dress with 6 BMs at her fake wedding. Friend said it was extremely weird. Sounds to me like something Z-listers do to make dosh in OK magazine but hey, entertainment!

Benedikte2 · 05/08/2016 09:54

If this is friendship you value then I'd tell the friend I've sorry but I can't attend but have great memories of her first big day and that I hope this celebration will meet her expectations.
Then when you are able to announce you are pregnant send her a wee card telling her that this is the reason you couldn't accept her invitation and why you could tell her sooner.
Personally I'd also send a wedding card -- get one from moon pig and personalise it to fit the circumstances to say you are thinking of her and include your baby's name.
Really good friends are in short supply and we accept them for all their weird quirks just as we hope we are accepted. I think (hope) the gift list was included with all the invitations and did not mean a gift was expected. Maybe it was her DH's idea, anyway.
Good luck with your pregnancy which I hope you will enjoy.

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