This Bride Wants to Charge Guests Who Cancel Last Minute

Planning a wedding can be a monumental task, fraught with stress and logistical challenges.

For one bride, the experience was made even more challenging when ten guests canceled their attendance just a week before the event. Her innovative solution? A ‘no-show fee’ was proposed by the Australian bride to recoup the costs of the wedding incurred by the guest’s sudden change of plans.

Ultimately, there was a poll that showed divided opinions. Continue reading to find out the results!

Australian Bride Proposes a ‘No-Show Fee’ for Her Wedding

The bride, who shared her story on the popular podcast “She’s on the Money,” explained that she had meticulously planned her wedding.

She had confirmed guest numbers with the venue, resulting in a non-refundable payment of $12,426. With just a week to go, ten guests who had RSVP’d in July, six months after receiving formal invitations in January, canceled. They cited the high cost of interstate travel as the reason.

Financial Strain and Emotional Toll

Faced with the potential loss of $1,336 due to the last-minute cancellations, the bride expressed her frustration. She sought advice from the podcast hosts and their listeners.

“Is it reasonable to request that they cover these costs themselves?” she asked. This was her way of highlighting the financial strain and emotional toll of the situation.

Divided Opinions

The podcast’s audience was divided on the issue. Some listeners sided with the bride, arguing that the guests had ample time to plan and should have considered the financial implications of their commitment.

“No one books flights for an interstate wedding the week prior. The guest is 100% at fault here and is not a nice friend for doing this,” one listener commented.

Another listener noted, “Given they said YES in July, they had almost six months to ensure they could save for it. Very disappointing they committed to coming but then didn’t plan to be able to afford it.”

The Case Against the ‘No-Show Fee’

On the other hand, many felt that asking guests to cover the costs was inappropriate. One listener suggested that the couple should have accounted for potential no-shows in their wedding budget. “No-shows are commonplace. Work it into your wedding budget,” they advised.

Another listener remarked, “This is the bride and groom’s event, so it’s up to them to cover the cost and NOT the people they chose to invite.”

A Broader Conversation

The bride’s dilemma has sparked a broader conversation about the high cost of weddings and the responsibilities of being a guest. The hosts of “She’s on the Money” acknowledged the complexities of the situation. One host called the last-minute cancellations “not okay” and “quite rude,” while another suggested that guests who cancel should offer to contribute to the wedding costs or give a cash gift.

Poll Results

A poll conducted among the podcast’s audience revealed a nearly even split in opinion. Fifty-one percent of respondents believed that guests who cancel last minute should pay the bride and groom. The other 49% felt they should not. However, only 7% of those in favor of the guests paying said they would ask for the money if they were the bride.

The bride’s consideration of a ‘no-show fee’ has opened up a debate about wedding etiquette and financial responsibility. While opinions are divided, the situation highlights the importance of clear communication and planning when it comes to major events.

Whether or not the bride decides to implement the fee, her story serves as a cautionary tale for both couples planning weddings and guests who commit to attending.

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What do you think? Is the ‘no-show fee’ appropriate? Tell us in the comments.

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