When a woman agrees to be a bridesmaid, she has a fairly good idea of what she is getting herself into. Anyone who has ever stood beside a bride on her special day can verify that it isn't exactly a cheap experience. And although most bridal parties expect to foot some of the bill, some guests were in for a bit of a shock when they saw a "bill" on their invitations to "secure a place" in a wedding.
After receiving an invitation with that little detail, one mom asked the internet if she was being irrational for being put off by the request.
The anonymous woman shared that her sister-in-law (who is the bride to be) announced that their wedding would be a weekend-long affair a few hours away from where they lived — which of course meant spending a few nights away from home.
Nevertheless, the woman and her husband were shocked to open the invitation to find next to the RSVP line were banking details for guests to send £180 ($233) to secure their place.
"We will be staying over with our child on the venue grounds for 2 nights so I understand what this money will probably go towards this but I just feel it's a bit 'off' and bad etiquette," she wrote.
She also said that when she and her husband got married, they paid for guest accommodations.
She also noted that her mother-in-law (who is the bride's mother) is mortified and confused -- as she is footing a large portion of the wedding bill.
The mom wanted to know: "We will pay as we wouldn't want to miss it for the world but just wondered how others would feel about this?"
Fellow Netmums users were actually pretty torn. Some felt that it wasn't an unreasonable amount.
And this user totally agreed with her:
"I think for 2 nights accommodation and presumably some meals at £180 for 2 adults and one child is a total bargain. If you don't want to pay this then perhaps you can look for cheaper accommodation nearby — if you can find it.
Whilst you may have paid for others accommodation at your own wedding this is not something everyone can afford and I think you are assuming too much to expect it."
Others said it was a flat-out rude way to ask.
But the plot thickened when the anonymous users told everyone she knew it wasn't for the staying accommodations.
"I should add that the venue is a country house and is hired whole for the two days so they have paid for the rooms as part of hiring the venue," she clarified. "In other words, it has been paid for by my MIL who has paid for the venue. Sorry if that wasn't clear."
HOLD. UP.
So you mean to tell us that the whole thing is covered and where this money is going is actually a mystery?
People changed their tune then, and told the woman to go ahead and ask exactly what the money was for.
Others even advised her to skip the wedding all together:
"I think it's incredibly bad manners. It sounds like a business arrangement rather than a wedding. If I was you, I wouldn't go, out of principle as much as anything else."
One user had the absolutely perfect response:
Kill them with kindness.
Anyway, here's to hoping that too many of her other guests aren't totally put off by this bride's bold move.
