We are getting married in a few weeks and have to take all the rooms at the venue in the night of the wedding. It's a beautiful hotel so I offered the rooms to close family and the bridal party before offering them to other guests. Most of the bridal party said yes, one said no as they live near by, absolutely fine.
A few weeks ago I sent the details around including amount and bank details. One of my bridesmaids said she'd speak to her husband and let me know, I replied saying that was fine, let me know by X date as I have someone else who will take it if not (DH's parents friends who had asked if there was space). I followed up with her a few days later and she confirmed they 'definitely wanted it'. We let DH's parents friends know there wasn't a room available and they booked somewhere else.
Her husband messaged me this morning saying he's booked somewhere else (£100 cheaper) so didn't need the room. I explained that it was too late as we couldn't give it to someone else now and we would have to pay if he didn't. He's just saying the venue should let us cancel (they won't, we have to take the whole hotel) and acknowledging it's their fault but hasn't offered to pay for it. She hasn't said anything!
AIBU to insist they pay? I'm so upset and can't understand why they would think this is acceptable behaviour, or why her husband is messaging me. She is a long standing, close friend so I'm really hurt.
Just for information, their daughter (my god daughter) is also one of my flower girls and I have paid everything for both of their outfits, right down to the socks and shoes, so it's not like I've put them out of pocket in any way.