Today DP and I booked our wedding for September next year. It will be a small wedding with only 20 guests - parents, siblings (and partners) and 2 close friends. Venue is a 40 minute drive from home.
We are paying for the wedding ourselves and haven’t asked either set of parents for any contribution. I say this as DP’s older sister had a small contribution from PIL when she got married a few years ago.
DP spoke to PIL (dad and step mum, his actual mum is estranged) this evening to explain details, told them that there are rooms available at the venue for our guests to book at a discounted price (think £100 cheaper!!) and could they let us know if they’d like us to reserve one for them and younger SIL (22). After a few moments of umming and ahhing, FIL apologised to DP and said that he’d have to think about it because, quote, ‘all these costs are adding up’ and it might be too expensive for them to stay, so they’ll have to leave early. DP assumed FIL got the wrong end of the stick and explained that we’re paying for everything ourselves, except guests’ accommodation. FIL said he understood, but that he and SMIL would still need to have a think because they’re not sure if they can commit.
It’s a late afternoon wedding, so the meal won’t finish until 7/7.30, and if they choose not to stay, they’ll be leaving shortly after (there’s no evening reception).
We know for a fact that PIL earn £80k a year between them and have no mortgage. They have 3 adult children between them and no parents - so no financial dependants. They go on several holidays abroad every year.
AIBU to think it’s really shitty of them to not want to commit to £200 to celebrate their son/stepson’s marriage??