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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Travelling to a wedding tomorrow...

75 replies

Imthecaffeinequeen · 17/02/2022 20:11

Due to attend a friends wedding tomorrow (wedding is going ahead!), I am in SE and wedding is taking place in Wiltshire.
Roughly 1.5 hour drive on motorway/ A roads/ some country roads.

Will be travelling alone with my 2 primary aged children.
Due to the weather forecasts/warnings I am very hesitant in making this journey, reasons being the distance, driving conditions and being alone with 2 young children should anything happen.

However friend has had wedding postponed previously due to covid and I would feel awful letting them down last minute.

What to do??

OP posts:
Nancydrawn · 17/02/2022 21:26

I'm a brave adventurous sort and would normally say just go for it.

However, to quote directly from a news article about tomorrow:

"could be the worst storm to hit the UK in 30 years."

"People can expect flying debris presenting “a danger to life”, forecasters said, as well as roofs blown off, power cuts, uprooted trees and major travel disruption."

"People were being urged to consider staying at home and rail services were being cancelled on a day with winds of up to 90mph expected and, farther north, possible heavy snow and blizzards."

I don't know if the wedding will actually go ahead. But if you can't get there tonight, you can't get there.

Mistymountain · 17/02/2022 21:28

Please don't consider going unless you can go tonight, it will be too dangerous with such strong winds. I suspect the wedding could be cancelled anyway - will the registrar be able to get to the venue, if things turn out as badly as predicted?

Peasandcabbage · 17/02/2022 21:29

@Imthecaffeinequeen I see center parcs have now closed woburn and forest holidays are closing, as I say I'm Scotland but in terms of decision making I think it's a no, but finalise it in the morning. I hate worrying about things all night. I'm the worst for that,

WispaBurgerbites · 17/02/2022 21:32

Is the wedding definitely going ahead? Lots of places have closed or cancelled tomorrow. Personally I wouldn't travel far tomorrow.

Peasandcabbage · 17/02/2022 21:32

And elveden and longleat.

Lifeslooser · 17/02/2022 21:37

No don’t do it. Better safe than sorry.

Violetmo0n · 17/02/2022 21:38

I wouldn't do it.

P0gM0Th0in · 17/02/2022 21:38

I’m in the same boat, although the wedding is in London. Husband and I just packed up and are currently on the train, on the way to a hotel we booked about an hour ago. I bet I’ve forgotten something, but we didn’t want to risk it in the morning. The trains will probably be cancelled!

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 17/02/2022 21:42

I don't think your friend would be upset in the circumstances, this is an extreme weather event and it's okay to prioritise safety.

Laura0729 · 17/02/2022 21:44

I wouldn't do it op.

God forbid you were in an accident you would never forgive yourself because by asking this question you already have doubts about safety.

Could you all dress up etc and join via FaceTime / zoom? Decorate where you sit and make some effort to dedicate your friend this time and effort that's just for her?

GrendelsGrandma · 17/02/2022 21:46

No wedding is worth being in a car crash for. It's shit but can't be helped. It's not a good enough reason to potentially put additional strain on emergency services.

FairyLightAddict · 17/02/2022 21:47

My friend is in Wiltshire and she's just text that the wind has started 💨💨

Advice is not too travel tomorrow.

Katya213 · 17/02/2022 21:55

I would not go.

Fayekrista · 17/02/2022 21:58

I live in Wiltshire. Almost every school here is shutting & thise that haven't will do by morning.
Personally I wouldn't travel. Today town was maic with people buying bread/milk/batteries/torches etc

Darbs76 · 17/02/2022 21:59

I’d lean towards not going but assess the situation in the morning. As you say your safety trumps the friends wedding. I do feel for anyone getting married tomorrow, after all the delays from covid to then have a storm potentially ruining the day. Hopefully you can make it there but don’t put yourself at risk, your friend should understand if you’ve got a long drive

PermanentTemporary · 17/02/2022 22:03

God I'd be a bit wary tomorrow, yes. I'm a bit nervous of going to work and that's a bus ride up a hill.

Fridafever · 17/02/2022 22:16

We’re on holiday in Wiltshire and will have to drive home tomorrow - we won’t be able to stay. It’s amber warning rather than red so I was assuming we’d just have to take it really slow but now I’m really worried!

Fridafever · 17/02/2022 22:21

I mean if I really think it’s too dangerous to travel I suppose I’ll have to refuse to leave the accommodation? No idea how that would work!

SC215 · 17/02/2022 22:23

@Fridafever

Can't you drive home tonight?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/02/2022 22:23

We are in a similar Dilemma. We are in Cambridge, Father-in-Law's funeral is in South Devon tomorrow afternoon. We were all going to drive there tomorrow morning - usually it's a 5 hour journey. At about 6pm DH decided to go tonight, booked a Premier Inn near his mums so that at least he will be there . I'm planning to drive down tomorrow morning with our two (adult) sons. DS2 had to get here from Uni 3 hours away and didn't arrive until after 9pm as train was delayed, otherwise we would all have gone tonight.

I'm going to check situation first thing in the morning, also am.loading the car with food and drink and warm clothes in case we end up in a 9 hour traffic jam. I'm not sure I'd do it with young children

Fridafever · 17/02/2022 22:28

Can't you drive home tonight?

Not at all easily. We’re at center parcs so can’t get the car I don’t think, small children asleep. Im the only adult I’d have to walk them down to the car in the dark. They’ve just announced it’s closed to new arrivals tomorrow maybe we will be able to just stay. Fucking hell.

GrendelsGrandma · 17/02/2022 22:30

@Fridafever

We’re on holiday in Wiltshire and will have to drive home tomorrow - we won’t be able to stay. It’s amber warning rather than red so I was assuming we’d just have to take it really slow but now I’m really worried!
@fridafever have you asked your host? The next guest will probably be delayed, they might let you stay on to sit it out?
Fridafever · 17/02/2022 22:32

I’m at Center Parcs. I’ll see what they’re saying in the morning I guess.

TiffanyBucksFizzRainbowBright · 17/02/2022 22:42

@Mistymountain

Please don't consider going unless you can go tonight, it will be too dangerous with such strong winds. I suspect the wedding could be cancelled anyway - will the registrar be able to get to the venue, if things turn out as badly as predicted?
This. Regardless of whether you had the kids or not, please don't go. Not being harsh but as people have said schools etc closed down, people told to stay indoors in that area. Not to be dramatic but think also of the emergency services - safe at home. Yes it's awful about your friends wedding but if I was her I'd be postponing it.
saraclara · 17/02/2022 22:42

If I was a lone adult driving with two children, no, I wouldn't go. At best it will be stressful, and your stress and the wind will scare your children. At worst, it will be dangerous.