Another wedding one! - this isn't really an invitation is it?

[BettySundaes]

Just received an invitation to an overseas wedding that is happening in less than a month's time ie mid-August, at an extreme popular European holiday resort, there is not a scrap of information about what provisions are being made for guests to attend, just the ceremony starts at/there will be a buffet afterwards. The invite is from distant family.

Anyway I went to reply through their fancy website and it says "RSVP's for this event are now closed" I guess that's really telling me.

Why do people do this - they obviously just want to say they invited us? Perhaps I should bust a gut scrabbling around to find a last minute flight/hotel and turn up just to upset their numbers!

They're hoping for a gift

Gift grab..

I'd send them a voucher.. that has expired.

(But I would do some discreet digging first to ensure that the invitation being so late that you cannot RSVP is not some sort of postal disaster!)

roussette I wonder if the original plans for bringing back the rellie fell through and they thought of you!

Bit shocking isn't it. We sent out 'save the date' cards with a website to all invited over a year before! They were obviously just filling gaps

The invitation would have to been stuck in the post for a mighty long time

When I said "make provisions for guests" I meant if they really wanted us to attend they could have provided some information to show that they have thought about guests, how we might get there/some hotels in the area or info about the wedding hotel/location, what other guests are doing..

Your right we are "z" list guests but don't they see we know that. I will reply, perhaps with a little dig about invite much have got lost in the post given RSVP deadline is passed.

they've realised most people won't be coming and panicking trying to up the numbers

That was my first thought

They're doing it in hopes of a gift. Probably cash.

They are fishing for gifts. Just ignore.

Tbh when I saw they had sent it only 1 month away I thought maybe they weren't including you. Let's be honest , if you pick somewhere abroad, somewhere popular you know people will have trouble booking hotels etc, you would tell them at the beginning of the year. My Godson and his intended sent out a Mind the date or something) with a few details about 7 months before.

Shumpa yes. In amongst being asked close to the wedding, MOB said and because you have to be back on blah blah date, you'll be taking So and So home. Errrrrr... no we won't, because we are declining thank you!

I think plans did fall through actually and we were made to feel really guilty turning down the last minute invite. But were we really wanted there? Or was it just to take rellie home....

I did buy a nice present, because in the end, before all this shenanigans happened, I had planned to buy something decent anyway (£100+), and thought I'd take the moral higher ground and continue.

Funnily enough I think they did want us there at the last minute (for taking rellie home) but the whole invite was just by phone with no details, and no help how to manage it.

It would've involved a really expensive flight (it was Europe) about £550 each, hiring a car, driving 1.5 hours and having to stay somewhere at £600 a night (because all the cheaper accommodation had already gone to wedding party) and then leaving half a day later.

The pics were amazing (saw them on FB). I was gobsmacked who was there as part of original party.

Hey ho

Sorry Betty I'm hijacking your thread! Didn't mean to!

“Thanks for the invitation. Due to short notice and location we will be unable to to attend.

When he heard from Aunty Trish that you had set a date we were going to buy you a fondu set but sadly we have received your invitation after the club card vouchers expired and Tesco Direct closed down.

Best wishes Betty”.

Email them, say how delighted you are to be invited.

Then over the next few days bombard them with emails about hotels they can recommend, the best way to get from the airport, good restaurants they know, any local attractions they can recommend, ask for weather updates, colours to avoid to stop looking like a bridesmaid, a few dietary demands......

Then send a sad face. you can't get a flight. you are gutted, hope they have a lovely day, any chance they can Skype the ceremony and reception so you can feel part of the day?