Party on 6 May (Coronation/Bank Hol Weekend)

[Dilemmadayz]

We've just received a save the date for a golden wedding anniversary party (my aunt and uncle) on 6 May. We live in London and the party is in Herts (lunchtime but will run until the evening). Their anniversary is on 1 May, but they have arranged the party for the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend.

When my DM pointed out it is the coronation, they said they are not interested the royal family (fair enough) and people can choose who is more important - them or the royal family. And they won't have a screen for people to watch the coronation (fair enough, it is their party).

I feel a bit conflicted. I'm not a massive royalist, but am really keen to watch such a historic event. DCs have asked whether we can go into Central London on the day - perhaps a step to far for me though!

It feels a bit selfish to pick that date, over say the Sunday or the Monday or even the weekend before. AIBU?

My daughter is having her birthday party that day … didn’t really cross my mind that it would be a problem.

You’re being completely ridiculous to suggest it’s selfish. Go or don’t go. Unless it’s your coronation too their party will survive your family’s absence.

It’s completely normal to have parties on the following Saturday of any event. If you big date is on a Monday, you’d have the party the following Saturday. It’s a shame it’s clashes but it’s not unusual practice.

Thanks for views. Yep, I get it. And, on reflection, "selfish" was not quite the right word! We will go to the party but, as @SpringofJoy says, it's a shame they clash.

Is it at night time? The coronation is in the morning

Mind you. All the poncing about will take a few hours I suppose

I don’t think that they’re being unreasonable. I would be staying home to watch the coronation, unless you can do that and then attend, you don’t have to attend.

Not unreasonable at all. It’s their celebration-why prioritise watching someone waste public money for a load of OTT fuss

I would record it or watch it on catch up, then you can watch it and go to the party, it's not like a football match where it would spoil the result.

Is it really that important to watch it live? I appreciate that with some events there's an element of surprise, being spoilered etc that mean catch up isn't the same, but it's not immediately obvious why this would have to be one of them.

They've picked a perfectly reasonable date for their party.

You can choose to go or not go.

Not unreasonable of them to pick that date but I would decline. I’m not missing the Coronation for anything!

I'm in favour of the Coronation personally as it is a historic event. I have a major birthday n 4 May and would normally have a small party on the 6th but may decide to hold it on the Sunday instead.

It’s an invitation not a summons op; if you’d rather watch the coronation then decline

Definitely up to them what date they want to choose, but they will need to be prepared that some people may already have plans for the coronation such as street parties or even going in to London to see all the activities etc going on also some people may have booked to go away due to it being a bank holiday. We are booked to go away ourselves so wouldn’t be able to attend.

I can’t believe anyone would prioritise watching the coronation over spending time with family and friends?! 😳

Can they invite me please. I’m looking for ways to avoid the whole ridiculous anachronism.