Awful idea, or feasible and fun?

[YourSpryOrca]

I’m a first time mum due in March 2026, looking for advice on whether this is doable or a terrible idea.

My best friend is getting married in July 2026, so baby will be 4 months old. The wedding will involve flying from London to Edinburgh and then either a 3 hour journey on public transport, or a 1.5 hour taxi to the venue. We will need to stay in a hotel, but the venue is quite remote so the nearest one is probably a 25 minute taxi away, so there will be some driving on the actual day of the wedding as well as the travelling to/from Edinburgh.

I would love to see my friend get married and for the baby to meet all our friends, but I also think it might be far too much for them and could actually be really miserable for all involved.

I’d love to hear your thoughts please as I’m aware there’s a good chance I’m being a naive first time mum who can’t quite envisage having a baby. Thanks

Would the train be possible? It's much less stressful than going through the airport, you can all sit together round a table, if you book at the right time you can get first class tickets relatively cheaply and they bring you drinks and food round.

If destination is near somewhere on the Caledonian sleeper line that could work even better.

Aside from logistics you know your friends but are you sure The Bride will be happy that you are seeing this as an opportunity for all of your friends to meet your baby?

It’s entirely do-able all being well. Break it up into bite size chunks and rest stops (such as one night in Edinburgh before travelling onwards). I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be concerned about it either - you have to make the choice once you know your baby and how you are both adjusting to life together

I think it's doable, depending on the baby and how you're feeling.

I would definitely try and get a car though. Either drive down or rent one when you get there. Having your own space to retreat to/being able to nip back to your hotel/leave when you want will be much easier than relying on taxis in the middle of nowhere!

It's easily doable, especially if you hire a car and cut yourself some slack around staying to the end and being the perfect guest.

The fact you are describing getting there in the most convoluted way, it sounds like you are hoping to be told not to go. This is a mistake, it's easy to make your comfort zone too small with a baby, but it's better for your confidence and life to keep doing things.

It will be fine. Just hire a car at Edinburgh airport so you aren't reliant on taxis/public transport.

As others have said 4 months is a bit of a sweet spot where things are typically easy. Baby’s just coming out of the eat sleep poo phase and becoming a bit more interactive. But not needing solids or crawling. Everyone at the wedding will want a cuddle too! As long as you’ve got a car seat sorted you’re good.

if you’re not going to do this stuff at 4 months you’re not going anywhere til the kid is 6 years

You don't know how your baby will be (fussy and colicky or calm with a good sleep routine), but you do know yourselves. Are you and your partner the type who cope with eventualities easily, are you resiliant and supportive of each other, can you travel light (for yourselves)? Or are you already anxious travellers, worried about any unplanned changes, and find being away from home stressful? Probably somewhere inbetween. But you will have a better idea of you the two of you might cope.

I took dc1 between Edinburgh and London, on my own, at 8 weeks. It was the only way to see close family. And dh and I took dc2 to America at 12 weeks. As pp have said, it's easier at that age than when they are toddlers.