A couple DP knows got married recently, in the Caribbean at quite short notice. No friends or family went but they had a joint ceremony with some friends. Photos looked beautiful, really hot and idyllic. They've been together years and everyone was very happy for them, sent congratulations on Facebook etc.
When they got back, we received a very formal A5 invite to the joint wedding reception, to be held this Saturday. Much was made of speeches, dress code, strict RSVP etc. "Gifts / money a bonus!" said the invite. Great, we thought. I've only met them a few times but DP used to be close to the groom so we thought it'd be fun.
So we dressed up in the specific style requested, put £50 in a nice card (we're not well off), and went along. It turned out to just be in a pub, not even a sectioned off area, so we were all hugely overdressed. It was very busy. The brides were in wedding dresses shouting at the other pub-goers for talking over the speeches. There was no buffet, no champagne for the toasts, no money behind the bar. The wedding cakes were on display, but they didn't cut them, so we didn't get any. The groom didn't even speak to us, though the bride said hello and thanks for the card. So basically we spent a few hours awkwardly standing in a crowded pub, hungry and overdressed, to give them some cash.
AIBU to think this is cheeky?