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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not go to this wedding (camping in the rain)

124 replies

Raisinbrain · 01/03/2017 21:04

We're supposed to be going to a wedding on Saturday. It's a beach wedding (we're not in the UK) in a national park and we're supposed to be camping. It's a five hour drive to get there and we have an 11 year old and a very active, hard work 16 month old.
The weather forecast is looking dreadful, very heavy rain all week.
We haven't been camping for a couple of years, we have a new tent but we don't have a lot of gear, just the basics. The children don't have waterproof shoes or clothes. We live in a flat and don't have any outdoor space at home to dry a wet tent.
The wedding is a very casual bring-your-own-food-and-drink type thing with not very many guests as we're all expats. They're friends in our circle who we've never spent time with outside group get togethers.
We're skint and can't afford alternative accommodation nearby.
Would it be awful of us to cancel at such late notice?

OP posts:
BottomlyP0tts · 02/03/2017 00:03

We recently went to a similar wedding - camping, mainly DIY (everyone helped in some way)

I'm 7 months pregnant, have a 2 and 4 year old and it was raining..

The first night I literally had a whiny cry in tent because I was SO uncomfortable and the kids weren't sleeping and I realised when we wake up I can't have a shower etc..

Then I woke up let the kids get naked they played in the rain and mud with everyone else's kids we all bemoaned the rain and took turns with someone's shower and you know what? It actually turned out to be really really fun.

We ended up doing everything in the local hall and because of the casual vibe no-one was fussed about clothes etc the food was delicious and the bride looked beautiful.

I would prefer renting a house in the rain though!

AcrossthePond55 · 02/03/2017 00:25

If it happens to be West Coast US, I understand if you agreed to go some time ago. It's been so dry here that a beach wedding camping in March would have been reasonable, with the weather being cool but no rain. But with all the rain so far, and still expected, no wonder you're having second thoughts.

If it's a National Park, do they have cabins and have you asked in they have 'off-season' rates? Otherwise, I think I'd probably cancel. If it was just you, or even you and the 11 year old I'd probably tough it out, but with a toddler? No way.

Is there anyone who can watch the 16 month old for the days you'll be gone?

Original poster
Raisinbrain · 02/03/2017 01:07

Thank you for all your comments!

Here's the weather warning:

"The Bureau of Meteorology has advised NSW SES of the likelihood of heavy rain with storms in coming days. The worst affected areas are likely to be from the Illawarra to the Victorian border, but heavy showers are also expected in Sydney as well. Local flash flooding is possible with heavier showers, with rain expected to be heaviest Friday and Saturday.
"NSW SES urges those homes and businesses in the affected areas to get ready now. Simple actions taken now can make a big difference when severe weather strikes, reducing the chance of property damage as well as injury.
• Clean gutters and downpipes
• Secure or put away loose items from yards and balconies
• Check your roof is in good repair
• Where safe to do so, trim overhanging trees and branches away from your property
"When storms and heavy rain are imminent:
• Bring children and pets indoors
• Park your car under cover
• Stay away from flash flooding
"If you require emergency help, call NSW SES on 132 500. Call 000 if it is life-threatening."

It's not looking good at all! Still not sure what to do Sad

Catsize made me laugh Grin

OP posts:
YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 02/03/2017 01:15

Cripes, OP. Surely the b&g will have to change their plans with that weather forecast?

Do you have the kind of relationship where you can fire them a breezy email with a link to the weather forecast, saying 'yikes! Storm's a-coming. What's the contingency plan?!'

onthettcbus · 02/03/2017 01:16

I definitely don't think that you can go with that weather forecast, far too risky. Plan B time for the bride and groom I think.

TheStoic · 02/03/2017 02:47

I'm in Aus too. I'm sure everyone is aware of the weather forecast. You need to contact them to ask them what their Plan B is.

LindyHemming · 02/03/2017 03:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Raisinbrain · 02/03/2017 03:18

I've sent them a message asking them what the plan is and letting them know we are searching for alternative accommodation, worried about camping etc...

OP posts:
SwearySwearyQuiteContrary · 02/03/2017 03:23

Anything that comes with a weather warning is a no for me.

Italiangreyhound · 02/03/2017 03:26

Raisinbrain I am glad you let them know you were looking into alternative accommodation.

It all sounds very grim but then I think you should have anticipated that. The fact that few guests are invited means your absence may be felt. I have been an expat and I know that to some small extent the community can be quite close as many do not have family locally etc.

Letting them down seems rather a shame. However, if you feel it will be not safe then let them know now that you cannot make it for safety reasons etc.

CaptainCabinet · 02/03/2017 03:48

I was in the 'unfortunately you will have to suck it up' camp (excuse the pun) until I read that weather warning. It specifically says to keep children and pets indoors. In view of this you do not have to go.

Poor B and G. Poor you.

Spring2016 · 02/03/2017 04:03

Could maybe return or sell the new tent and use that money to book a caravan for the night? Drive there the day of the ceremony and go home in the morning? Unless there could be a danger in driving with the weather...in which case I would not risk an accident...if there is a risk of torrential downpours, lightening and or flooding.

crabb · 02/03/2017 04:17

Where's the wedding, Raisin? That's a whole of NSW warning (it's a big place!). Have you looked at the forecast for the specific area? Is it on the South Coast? I just looked at the forecast for Batemans Bay and it's talking about 60-100mm rain on Saturday Shock. No way I'd be taking kids (or myself) camping in that. That given, as PP have said, your absence will be noticeable as it's a small wedding. An older style caravan park might have relatively cheap onsite vans to hire. If you give us a location we can search for accommodation for you!

Original poster
Raisinbrain · 02/03/2017 04:37

It's at Depot Beach crabb, very close to Batemans Bay.
We'd need a hefty 50% discount on rates for a basic caravan or cabin to make it anywhere near affordable... Unfortunately money is really really tight for us at the moment. Sad

OP posts:
JonesyAndTheSalad · 02/03/2017 04:54

My sister had camping at her wedding which was in her own field. It wasn' a perfect day in terms of weather but everyone had SUCH a good time.

The evening was a hoot with dancing on tables, fire juggling, music, food, drink and games.

It was such a success that there was a group that came back the following year and they all had their own mini festival.

StUmbrageinSkelt · 02/03/2017 04:56

I guessed where you were. No way with that forecast. A 5 hour drive in that would be highly unpleasant let alone trying to camp.

beingsunny · 02/03/2017 05:08

We are in Sydney and cancelled last weekends camping trip, wasn't for a wedding but camping a pretty miserable in the rain.

I'm sure they are trying to come up with a new plan so as PP mentions I would contact them and ask them what their plans could be...

Mummyoflittledragon · 02/03/2017 05:23

I've just seen the forecast. Not unreasonable at all. They'll be disappointed. It not as though you're bailing for no reason. I would perhaps see if someone has a spare room in a cabin maybe and head off with the 11 yr old. But with that weather warning, should anyone be travelling? Roads will be flooded and possibly land slides if you have them in that area.

WateryTart · 02/03/2017 06:17

There is nothing on God's green earth that would get me to that wedding. Just bail. Let the hardy types have their fun.

crabb · 02/03/2017 06:25

Would you be driving down from Sydney, Raisin? On Friday night or Saturday morning? I wouldn't choose to drive the Princes Hwy in the dark, in the rain, in heavy traffic - all likely. It's a very winding road past Wollongong.
Depot Beach and Murramarang National Park are lovely - have you been there? Pebbly Beach is great. Accommodation, unfortunately, even if you could afford it, is likely to be unavailable at such late notice, although I see that Durras North

crabb · 02/03/2017 06:27

Oops, Durras NOrth Lake Holiday Park still seems to have availability. But the prices aren't cheap!

GrassWillBeGreener · 02/03/2017 06:52

I was thinking it sounded very east-coast-Australia in terms of timing and beach camping. I was also about to post about the fun we had camping growing up even on the occasions the weather was not the best. March is a good time of year.

But that's a weather warning to take seriously. Once when we were on route to Qld my parents spent money they didn't really have spare on a motel room for much that reason.

I hope you and your friends can find some solution. I also hope that you are able to take a camping trip in the future (or several!). Mention of Pebbly Beach brings back some fabulous memories!

FuzzyFalafelz · 02/03/2017 07:00

If it was just a bit of rain that would be fine to attend but the weather forecast is quite major

crabb · 02/03/2017 07:28

Having said Murramarang is lovely, I am
now recalling one camping trip where we woke up in the middle of the night with the tent roof, full of water, a foot above our heads! And another, staying in a pop-up camper trailer, where we were blown and rattled all night long by a gale. Both in Murramarang, and both together did me in for camping pretty well permanently Grin

teenagetantrums · 02/03/2017 08:40

Sounds love je my idea of hell. I would cancel or at least see if the kids could stay with friends /family while l went then l would drink my way though the whole thing

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