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 is not weird but I would decline an insulting invite like this. If she doesn't like you enough to invite you to the main event or bring a guest, why bother?

Why is it insulting? I wouldn't want a random person at my wedding! Go op, you will have a blast!

I wouldn't go unless I knew lots of other people there. If you only know the bride and her mum (who presumably will both be very busy on the day!) you'll be standing around bored. No harm in her inviting in you this way and no harm in you declining.

I’m single and i’ve been to quite a few weddings on my own. I’ve usually had a really nice time BUT i’ve been able to catch up with mutual friends there. I’m quite outgoing so would possibly go even if I didn’t know anyone but the bride but I would have to think about it TBH. If you’re not someone who enjoys talking to people you don’t know then I would plead childcare issues and decline.

How far away is it? If local you could consider going for an hour or two, I have often done that and usually end up enjoying it and staying for the duration but it removes some of the pressure.

But people have cousins and older friends! You might make a new friend. Give it a go OP.

I wouldn't go unless I was going to know lots of other people there.

I'm quite sociable, but I wouldn't fancy going to a wedding where I know no-one except the bride and her mum.

Christ no I wouldn't go, not on my own if I didn't know anyone.

I'm getting married in January. It's quite a small wedding - only got about six friends coming. Three of them know each other (uni mates), two of them know each other as are mum friends but the last one is my best friend from school and literally won't know anyone except my sisters who are busy being bridesmaids. So she's getting a plus one and is bringing a friend of hers I don't know.

I don't have any issue with having a "random" at my wedding, but appreciate it may be a cost factor for some. Equally in that case she should respect you won't want to go on your own.

I am a massive introvert though. If I am invited to a social event where I don't know anyone, I think "no no no" as opposed to "excellent, maybe I'll make a new friend."

I would personally only go to the ceremony then go home. You'll be fine alone at the ceremony but I wouldn't want to go to the reception alone

She hasn’t been invited to the ceremony.

i wouldn't mind going on my own if I knew other people who'd be there. If not.. it would be my idea of hell.

Sorry didn't read all comments 🤦 in which case I'd politely say I wouldn't be attending and still send a nice card and/or gift

The only time I've ever gone to a wedding reception alone there was a compulsory freeze-dance contest in a well-lit room before I had finished my first drink.

If it was local I would go along with the expectation of showing my face and saying hello. Even if you have a drink and then slide away.... but you might surprise yourself and get chatting to someone. Weddings are pretty easy for meeting new people because you all have someone in common as a starting point.

I definitely wouldn't go if you won't really know anyone.

DH and I were invited to an evening reception last year where we only knew B & G plus groom's Father. Everyone was in mini groups formed during the day. DH and I were like "Billy no mates" ☹️.

We only stayed 2 hours! Venue was almost 2 hours drive from home too.

To be honest I think it was rude to ask to bring a friend, the invitation was written to you on your own clearly. Having said that I can see why it is not appealing to go on your own. However sometimes it is good to do something out of your comfort zone and you never know who you might meet. I did that several months ago, went to a friends 50th where I knew no one so I drove. At the time I was selling my house and was having to move in to rented accommodation temporarily. I met someone at the party who had a house they did not live in, offered me to live in the house rent and bill free for 6 months as an act of kindness.

Maybe it was rude or maybe I didn't think it through properly. I've never been invited to a function on my own before so wasn't really sure. I've been to a couple weddings with my children and it only said 'pompom' on invite. But when I saw the person they said children aswell obvs.
So to verify I said to her I can't bring the kids can I? And she said no I'm not having children so I immediately thought who I could go with but that was when she explained numbers are tight.
As some of you said doubt she will notice I'm not there and I'd have to drive as it's 40 min away in middle nowhere. Better if I decline tbh
Thanks al

I've been to many weddings on my own. You meet tons of new people. I met a really lovely man at one, who was alone too. We went out for 6 months (half wish I'd hung on to him!)

Please go if you can. You won't be the only one, and you'll have fun if you want to. You won't be subject to anyone else's schedule either, so can leave when you like.

I never go to be 'party stuffing' and pad out the evening do for friends who don't like me enough to invite me to the main event. My time, energy and money is better spent elsewhere. YANBU not to go OP.

Cismyass good way of looking at it

Yes there is a chance of a movie like moment where you meet the man of your dream and/or get the job offer of a lifetime.
More likely scenario is you get there and everyone from the day event is drunk, hanging out in the same groups and at the same tables they have been at all day with music booming out rendering all conversation impossible.

Don’t go. And don’t feel bad about it either.

God no! She's being ridiculous and not thinking about your comfort.