Wedding on my own

[Pompom42]

AIBU
Been invited to a friends wedding. Not super close but know her around 8 years. We see each other 4 times per year.
I need to send the RSVP back I've been invited to evening only but it's not even a +1 or anything.
I'm a single parent so.been invited to go on my own. It's also a no children event.
I asked her if I could bring someone and she said no as numbers are right.
AIBU to not go as don't want to go on my own. Isn't it weird to go to a wedding reception alone. I have visions of me just standing around etc.

It's fine if you know lots of folk/going in a big group of friends.

I wouldn't bother if not. Just rsvp that you can't make it no biggie. You are only important enough for an evening invitation so don't waste time overthinking it.

I've been to quite a few weddings solo. The main thing is working out in advance if you'll know anyone else there.

I wouldn't go on my own if I didn't know others who will be there. Will you know anyone else? If not surely your friend would realise that you might feel a bit awkward..think she could have let you have a plus one really.

I’ve been to quite a few on my own. It’s fine.

I was recently separated and invited to a wedding on my anniversary, 25 miles from my house and I didn't have a car. I went and it was great but I was dreading it! Was all day at least and he was a good mate.

I go to most things on my own as OH is ill. It does not bother me at all.

I would probably go if there are others there to have a drink/chat/dance with.

I know her Mum but that's it. I just feel like I'd be standing around while everyone else is chatting as they've been there all day.
I'm hoping our friendship doesn't fade away if I don't go that's all.
Obviously it's her money and her numbers are tight but when I had my wedding I invited people with a +1 even though I'd never met their +1 as I figured they wouldn't want to come on their own.

Just say you cant get childcare

Lots of singletons go to weddings and receptions on their own, you will probably find others. Please do go, you may enjoy yourself (or even meet someone).

YANBU, I wouldn't go to an evening do if I knew noone else and didn't have a +1.

Different if you are close enough to get a day invite, as you can get to know people over dinner etc, seating plan will hopefully have put you with some nice people, etc.

But turning up when everyone else is half cut and you have to break into established groups to talk to anyone - no thanks.

If you were close you would have a day invite so hopefully she won't miss you too much.

Go with an open mind and you'll meet some fun people, I'm sure!

Also, I'd be pretty annoyed if I'd sent a wedding invitation to one person and they asked if they could bring someone I didn't know. It would have said 'plus guest' if plus ones had been a thing

Bit odd that she wouldn't give you a plus one especially when it's just the evening part. I mean not having a plus one at dinner is less bad because you're put at a table with other people so kind of forced to mingle really but what are you supposed to do at the evening part if you don't know anyone and she's not going to be spending much time with you? I would just decline the invite tbh

My friend went to one on her own and met her now husband there who was also alone. Maybe take some handbag vodka

Well if you don't know anyone I wouldn't go.

I just couldn't be arsed if not important enough for a plus one or a daytime invite!

Don't go if you're just invited to the evening party and it'll be a stretch for you. Just thank her kindly and tell her you hope she has a lovely day and you're looking forward to seeing the photos.
People do frequently go to weddings solo but it depends on age group, how many people you might know there, how outgoing you are - and how much it costs if you're single-parenting for travel and childcare.

bakingdemon the +1 I asked if I could bring is a friend of ours. She does know her very well. All our Sons are at same school.
I can get childcare easy enough but suffer a bit with anxiety and I feel nervous about walking into an evening reception on my own let alone being on my own once I'm there too. What would I do? Would I just stand at the bar? I even thought about going for 2 hours and going home but is it worth it?

Not weird at all. I've been to a few weddings on my own, partly due to OH not knowing them and therefore not invited or because of childcare issues so he stayed home with the kids (who were not invited) and I went alone. Depends if you are good enough friends that you want to be there to share her day. The possibility of not knowing anyone else there would never put me off. In fact the last wedding I went to I did know a few people there but spent all evening speaking to people I'd never met before and hardly spoke to the ones I know.

I would hate to go to a wedding where I only knew the bride and her mum, especially if you're a bit older so there aren't a load of single people.

Yes HollowTalk I'm also 8-10 years older than her so any potential singletons would be around that age I guess.

Personally I wouldn't bother going. But then I hate weddings, and small talk, and people.

It’s fine if you don’t want to go, just decline and wish them a lovely day.

You chose to have plus 1s but a lot of people don’t. She hasn’t invited this other woman otherwise you wouldn’t have been able to suggest she came with you and I’d be pissed off that you tried to shoehorn her in when the bride didn’t want her there.

I would decline. I did this once for the wedding of a close friend and I just felt like a spare part and his nice family felt obliged to look after me.

I'd go on my own if I knew people. But otherwise I'd send a card and wish her well.