Not to bring a wedding gift?

[HmAndAh]

I am invited to a wedding blessing ceremony by a friend. The actual (church) wedding was two months ago and was "family only". I sent a card on that occasion.

The current wedding blessing is badly organised: e.g., church and the venue (golf club) are 20 miles between them, and no transport is provided. No public transport either, so taxi. It is south of England.
I am travelling from the North, so need two nights in the hotel. Which is logistic nightmare: no hotels next to the church, no hotels at the golf club.
So expensive taxis adding to the train fair. It was already pretty annoying.

Then the email came asking for "cash or cheque to celebrate the wedding", not even mentioning whether it is a honeymoon or whatever. The couple is professionals in their early 40-s, it's their first "wedding".

I am unreasonable just to bring a card? I am really annoyed that I would have to spend that much money on taxis around because of their lack of thought and organisation.

@Meraas

Either decline now or wait a week before the wedding and say you have suspected coronavirus.

Don’t accept and pull out with a weeks notice. They will have already turned in the count and have to pay for you anyway.

I actually went to a few weddings in my youth with huge distances between church/venue. One was in different counties.
We were driving anyway and ended up with car full of random people every time. I didn’t think it was much of an issue at the time. Although at one wedding a few people just went to the hotel and missed the wedding completely.

You are both being unreasonable. You for even considering going to a wedding without taking a gift and your friend for asking for money or a cheque from guests and then booking two venues 20 miles apart without providing transport! There was 20 miles between my 2 venues but I provided a bus and a bus home that evening, its ridiculous to expect all your guests to pay for taxis etc, so rude! Weddings can make some people so entitled!
Personally I wouldn't go, covid is a good excuse.

There will surely by someone driving that you could jump in the car with instead of paying for Taxi's, have you asked your friend about that?

Agree with others that you should have declined originally but now you've accepted that would be a bit awkward

Surely just politely decline if it will cost too much?

Or ask them if they can put you in touch with another guest who can give you a lift?

I would personally feel awkward coming to a wedding with nothing. A bottle would be an alternative to cash.

This thread is from last august guessing she has either been/not been to the wedding by now

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