In order to create the seating chart and share an accurate headcount with vendors, to-be-weds typically ask their guests to RSVP to their wedding about a month prior to the event. So, when more than 20 people backed out of one couple’s Monday nuptials two weeks before their big day, they were understandably distressed. The bride vented about the whole situation on Reddit’s “Wedding” subreddit on October 8, 2024.
In her post, the bride explained that after spending more than a year planning their wedding, the couple is set to tie the knot in mid-October. Since the bride makes minimum wage and owns a home, she noted that the two of them have been taking a primarily DIY approach to their nuptials. But, they’ve still spent a great deal of money—which the woman said “hurts my soul.” Additionally, the mother of the bride “worked extra hours” to fund enough food for her daughter’s 80-person guest list.
Then, at the beginning of October, just two weeks before the couple’s affair, many of their guests started to back out. When the bride called each of her invitees to remind them about the upcoming celebration, more than 20 of her 80 guests revealed that they could no longer attend. “People forgetting about the wedding, thinking it was the wrong day, etc.,” the bride cited as some of their excuses—along with bosses rejecting their time-off request, according to one of her comments. “But they only would tell us this if we called for reminders. All these people would have just not showed up that day. So I would have had so many empty set up tables.” Now, with the hurricane looming, the couple is expecting an even lower attendance rate.
While the bride shared that she had anticipated a few dropouts, given the weekday date, she never suspected that more than 25 percent of her guest list would decline at the last minute. “At this point over 20 people [have] given me so much anxiety, destroyed my seating charts and cost my mom so much extra money,” she said. Now, as an attempt at resolving the issue, the bride is considering inviting another group of individuals who would be available to attend but who wouldn’t be “offended” by the late invitation. “But at this point we are screwed,” she admitted.
Fellow Redditors filled the comments section with validation and advice. Many people empathized with the bride and her stressful situation, with one writing, “It’s tough when you’re counting on people to show up and they start dropping out so close to the big day, especially with all the money and emotional investment involved. Totally understandable that you’re feeling anxious.”
Some people asked the original poster why so many of her guests dropped out so close to the wedding since it isn’t standard. In response to the inquiry, the bride commented that she launched her wedding website a year ago and constantly sent her invitees reminders, so she’s “confused” why a large bulk of her guest list has suddenly decided that they aren’t going to show up. One Redditor figured the couple’s Monday date was the reason for the last-minute cancellations.
A handful of the comments gave the bride suggestions on how to deal with this distressing situation. Regarding the food dilemma, one Reddit user advised the couple to freeze some of the food and eat it at a later date. The bride responded to the comment, thanking the individual and explaining that she and her fiancé will give everyone large servings and take home any leftovers.