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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to Australia for the weekend?!

920 replies

HufflepuffHarpy · 07/07/2019 07:16

My best friend (male if relevant) is getting married in the autumn. I'm in the UK (where we both grew up) he now lives in Australia.

I desperately want to go to the wedding.

It will cost £1000 for the flight plus accomodation etc over there which is in no way small money.

I have 4DC so would be asking my parents (very hands on babysitters, have had them for me and DH to go on holiday etc) to have the DC (all under 10) while DH is at work.

I would leave on a thursday AM flight and get back tuesday pm. SO literally fly in for the wedding, the day after and then back home.

Am I being totally crazy to consider this?! (Haven't actually asked DH yet!!)

OP posts:
jenkel · 08/07/2019 17:46

We have been to Australia many times, location could be a key, if for example its Perth I would say go for it in that timescale, if it’s Sydney I would really try to stretch it out for a few days longer, jet lag is a real killer and could really impact your time there. But then how do you cope with Jet lag, it kills me now (50) but when I was 18 I got over it quite quickly.

Monkey2001 · 08/07/2019 17:46

How can you possibly justify the carbon footprint of that journey for a weekend? Irrespective of whether you can afford it, think about the rest of the world!!

onegiftedgal · 08/07/2019 17:48

Sounds as though you are caught up in the excitement of it all and haven't got to the stage of realising that it is an absolutely stupid idea. If your friend wants to see you so much, maybe he could honeymoon in Europe.

Booboo66 · 08/07/2019 17:49

I’d go for a couple more days before the wedding for jet lag reasons. It’s really a once off and your parents sound accommodating. I understand not staying with the couple after but before might be ok? Financially it doesn’t sound like an unreasonable impact to you and I think you’d regret it if you didn’t go. Jet lag for your suggested timescale may be intolerable tho

irregularegular · 08/07/2019 17:49

If you desperately want to do it (and can find the money without too much hardship) then just do it.

It depends a bit on how well you cope with tiredness/long flights/jet lag. Have you done it before? I reckon I could do it, though would crash later.

I had a friend who flew into the UK from Australia the day before (or of?) our wedding, though she didn't go straight home. She seemed to be enjoying it.

You might also want to consider alternatives though, like going out when you could spend more time with him.

It is a bit crazy, but that's OK.

Balcanoona · 08/07/2019 17:50

do it. We got married in Australia in February. One best man flew from New York for the wedding, the other from London, and each only a couple of days. Parents in law came for a week, as did brother in law with two sons (8 and 10) for a week. Just treat it as a grand adventure. It will be tough, but people do this all the time.

alltheteainchinajustisntenough · 08/07/2019 17:51

I didn’t but I desperately wish I had - exactly the same scenario; BF getting married in Oz and I could only go for the two days over the weekend. In the end I couldn’t afford it and it broke my heart at the time, and she was gutted too - only ‘saving grace’ is that she’s now divorced and I’ll be able to go to her ‘forever’ wedding. I have always regretted not going however at what was, at that time, the most exciting time of her life l. It’s a bit crazy yes, but if you can afford it, go! Have a fabulous time xx

SoyDora · 08/07/2019 17:51

haven't got to the stage of realising that it is an absolutely stupid idea

In your opinion.

If you desperately want to do it (and can find the money without too much hardship) then just do it

Why don’t people read the OP’s posts at least?! She’s booked it!

Watch3000 · 08/07/2019 17:52

I would fly for a week just to be there for an hour of my best friends wedding if necessary! Do it! You only live once

NannyRed · 08/07/2019 17:53

Do it. It’s for your best friend and that’s not unreasonable.

Countrypie · 08/07/2019 17:54

Wow, your carbon footprint guilt will be huge. What about if there are any delays? Seems a bit crazy to me - just because you physically can doesn't mean you should.

BlueSkiesLies · 08/07/2019 17:54

My friend did this for a wedding! He flew business though.

If you want to be there, do it.

Jaxhog · 08/07/2019 17:55

I don't think I would do it, as I really suffer with jetlag these days. But if I was 20 years younger...

Your DH sounds fantastic to support you. So go and have a fabulous time!

Ferret27 · 08/07/2019 17:55

If your parents stay at your home .... and everyone is happy to support you .... live a little ... you will survive the jet lag if you can sleep on the plane ... can’t be harder than coping with 4 kids surely !,?

everythingthelighttouches · 08/07/2019 17:57

Hufflepuff it's just so far outside my experience. You must have been through a lot together.

Katr673 · 08/07/2019 18:02

Hope you have a wonderful adventure, enjoy x

HelloyouKant · 08/07/2019 18:03

What a lovely story, so pleased you are going. Don’t forget to update us in October Grin

Yb23487643 · 08/07/2019 18:05

Would go for a week? If u can

Oscarsdaddy · 08/07/2019 18:07

Absolutely bonkers !

Go for a fortnight minimum and you’ll enjoy every second

pinkstripeycat · 08/07/2019 18:09

I think anything less than 3 weeks in Oz when flying from the uk is madness - unless you had a private jet and didn’t have to check your own stuff in etc

Barley1603 · 08/07/2019 18:11

Life’s short just do it!! You may regret not going but you won’t regret the adventure if you do! Have fun!

WildAngel · 08/07/2019 18:13

would you truly regret not going or just be disappointed you couldn't?

SoyDora · 08/07/2019 18:13

THE OP HAS BOOKED IT!!!

QuietlyPondering · 08/07/2019 18:13

Do it! We went to my friend's wedding in Canada with our 9 month DS, 22 hours travelling, 3 flights (middle of nowhere in Canada) flew out Wednesday, wedding Saturday, flew home Sunday. Wouldn't have missed it for the world and 5 years later I have no regrets. You only live once 😀

tomboytown · 08/07/2019 18:15

I’ve done it for a week a couple of times
Ime it takes 3 days either side to recover. But if you have an event to keep you awake that’ll be fine.
You’ll wake up early and be dog tired anything after 6pm.
Try not to go to have the early night, otherwise you’ll wake up at 3am.
I’ve never taken any medication, it’s just tiredness, you’ll get through it.