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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wedding invite etiquette?

146 replies

Zippy1510 · 01/10/2019 08:21

I started a new job 4 years ago as a lecturer at a local university. I was employed with 3 other new members of staff (M1, M2 and F1). We all got on really well and spent a lot of time outside of work socialising with each other and our respective partners. Friday night post work drinks and food were a weekly occurrence and we also start a wine and nibbles rotation at each other’s houses every few months. Fast forward a few years and we still do our bi-monthly evenings but I am less able to get out for the post-work drinks every week since having DS1. M1 and M2 are openly are not very keen on being around children so that limits things although I do try to go out with them when I can. M1 has recently gotten engaged and brought the save the dates into work, it’s for next summer. F1 and M2 were invited but I was not, which was slightly awkward as it’s a 300 person venue but of course it’s their wedding and they are welcome to invite whoever they like. Now this is where I am trying to work out if I am being unreasonable. It’s my turn to host the next wine and nibbles evening- and it falls on my birthday next month which is great as I will get to celebrate with everyone and won’t need to find a babysitter as DS will be asleep upstairs. I’ve spoken to everyone (friends both from work and outside work) and it’s all been organised. Yesterday we received a message from M1s partner saying “as it’s our legal wedding next month we will host the wine and nibbles evening and it can be a mini hen/stag wedding appreciation event”. AIBU to be feeling a bit annoyed that they’ve decided to turn my birthday into a celebration for a wedding that they aren’t inviting me to? Do I just go along with it or say “sorry but we’ve arranged to be celebrating my birthday then?”

OP posts:
Windydaysuponus · 01/10/2019 08:29

They are Cfers imo. And petty or not if I was the only one not invited to the wedding I would be reverting the relationships back to work ones only. No more nibbling at my expense!

BasinHaircut · 01/10/2019 08:31

He sounds like a cunt. Stick to your plans and tell them all so. Tell M1 you don’t fancy spending your birthday celebrating a wedding you haven’t been invited to.

Apolloanddaphne · 01/10/2019 08:32

What is a legal wedding as opposed to the wedding arranged for next summer?

Apolloanddaphne · 01/10/2019 08:34

Thinking about this more. Are they actually getting married soon in a registrars then just having a big party next summer? Sounds very odd to me.

Chocolatelover45 · 01/10/2019 08:35

They might not know it's your birthday? I think you should say that you've planned your birthday celebration then already and they should let it go. Mean that they didn't invite you.

CampingItUp · 01/10/2019 08:35

Did they know it was your birthday when you invited them to yours?

I think it is OK to say ‘oh! But it’s my birthday. You can all celebrate the wedding in the wedding day!”

Actually I would gently ask why they haven’t invited you to the wedding . Just say ‘I dud wonder why we aren’t invited to your wedding, is it because it is child free?’

AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore · 01/10/2019 08:35

Assume there's no chance you being not invited was a mistake: have the other two colleagues mentioned anything - could you sound out F1 on the quiet? That does seem a bit pointed and yes I'd be annoyed. I'd say you'll go ahead with your own celebration as it's all been organised for a while, and catch up with them after the wedding. And not try to hard to do so.

CatsOnCatnip · 01/10/2019 08:36

Definitely tell them you will be out celebrating your birthday with close friends and family. Sod that.

ShippingNews · 01/10/2019 08:36

What is a "wedding appreciation event" ffs.

If I were you I'd back off from all this enforced socialising and go out with DH for your birthday.

Totalwasteofpaper · 01/10/2019 08:37

It’s very reasonable to say no.

Message back saying it doesn’t work for you it’s your birthday your have been really looking forward and your already bought supplies and invited people. Looking forward to seeing them there and that you hope you can make the actual stag/hen

Zippy1510 · 01/10/2019 08:37

Yes they are headed to the registry office next month and then having a big celebration next year. I think M1 hates the idea of standing up in front of people and doing vows so that part is going to be private.

OP posts:
Zippy1510 · 01/10/2019 08:38

And they are invited to my birthday. In fact we confirm the dates with everyone all in the same WhatsApp thread where they mention them hosting instead.

OP posts:
Apolloanddaphne · 01/10/2019 08:40

So basically you are not invited to a party. I would just message back and say that as it is your birthday you are going to host drinks and nibbles for your extended friend group. Let them know they are still invited and they can choose to come or not. Don't give them too much head space.

AntiHop · 01/10/2019 08:40

I'd be furious. I think it's rude not to invite you to the wedding. You spend a lot of time together as a group. Is there any chance it was an oversight?

To hijack your birthday is even ruder.

I'd say:
I have already organised a birthday party at my house that evening. I won't be cancelling that and I'd really appreciate it if you and the others are there. But as I'm not invited to your wedding, I'm surprised to be invited to your pre wedding celebration anyway.

Zippy1510 · 01/10/2019 08:43

F1 was the one who let me know about the save the dates. She came into my office asking if I had got my card as they were left on everyones desks. She was mortified when she realised I didn’t have one and has mentioned she finds it all rather strange and awkward. She’s also said she will definitely be attending my birthday as it was all planned. I just don’t really want to get into a situation where it looks like I’m being petty and hosting some kind of rival evening, out of spite for not being invited to the wedding when I just want to have a bit of a birthday celebration.

OP posts:
SmileCheese · 01/10/2019 08:49

I just don’t really want to get into a situation where it looks like I’m being petty and hosting some kind of rival evening, out of spite for not being invited to the wedding

Surely no one will think that when your birthday plans were already arranged prior to them giving out the save the dates. Just tell them that because it is your birthday you don't wish to change who hosts.

Personally the whole wedding thing sounds mad as by the time they have their party they will have been married for months and their actual wedding day and the day of the party aren't even in the same year Hmm.

Skinnydogfatcat1 · 01/10/2019 08:52

Personally I think they are excluding you from this celebration, they know you have something pre-organized. Just politely decline & do not send card/present.

Latenightthinking22 · 01/10/2019 08:52

In light of your update that says he is aware of your birthday plans, I would ask him, in a very "concerned" voice, if you have done something to offend him (since you weren't invited to the wedding, and he's fully aware he's stealing your birthday celebrations for his own marriage party).

This might help in case he did, by accident, forget to give you a save the date. It would be an easy, non confrontational way of finding out for sure if you were purposely not invited to the wedding.

And if you were in fact not invited to the wedding, well then you will be perceived in a good light. Not bitchy, just "concerned" for the friendship... plus, it will make him squirm!!!! GrinGrin

Also, I'm so sorry for you Sad it's not a nice feeling being left out like this!

AllFourOfThem · 01/10/2019 08:55

Yanbu. Just send a reply to everyone saying it’s still your birthday that night so your plans still stand and you hope everyone can make it.

Hope you enjoy your birthday.

FluffyAlpaca19 · 01/10/2019 08:57

Is there any chance that the fiancee of your male colleague feels threatened by you so is engineering this division in the friendship group?

Pheasantplucker2 · 01/10/2019 08:59

I'd say "oi, it's my birthday, CF! Have you forgotten you're all invited round to mine to celebrate that. Plenty of time to celebrate your wedding next year. What date is it btw, so I can stick it in my diary". That puts the ball firmly back in his court. Up to him how he responds...

AJPTaylor · 01/10/2019 09:00

If I was not in someone's top 300 people I would defo revert to just work colleagues.
In fact I had a friend like that. Told me all about her wedding but said numbers restricted to 150 so I wouldn't be invited.i just stopped calling her!

IncrediblySadToo · 01/10/2019 09:01

They cannot cancel your birthday celebration to have yet another wedding ‘thing’ Cheeky Fuckers.

Something along the lines of
‘NO you won’t, as you know it’s my turn and it has already been organised. You didn’t invite me to your wedding, why would I want to cancel MY existing birthday plans so you can have a ‘wedding appreciation’ evening? Obviously people can choose what they want to do, but my Birthday plans will be going ahead , if you choose to organise another event instead of coming as previously arranged that’s, of course, up to you. I’m not sure why I haven’t been invited to your wedding party when we have all been friends for so long, it hurts, but your wedding, your choice, but I won’t have you ruining my birthday as well’.

Thelistwizard · 01/10/2019 09:02

I would politely decline, let them know you are still hosting your event which they are welcome to attend. Don’t make a big fuss. And as a pp said voice your surprise at being invited to a wedding event for a wedding your not invited to
On a side not am I the only one shuddering at spending so much time with people I work colleagues?

QueenofallIsee · 01/10/2019 09:02

Tell the cheeky mare to do one. I would, like you, let the wedding invite snub go however hurtful but like hell would I let her have my birthday party as well!