Wedding crasher was galling surprise
Q Our only daughter got married almost two weeks ago. I’m still basking in the glow of her beauty in her white gown (restyled from my own of 24 years ago!) and the love she and her groom so visibly share, thanking both sets of parents profusely and visiting/thanking each guest.
But one of those stops went flat when they encountered a guest neither of them knew and who hadn’t been invited.
We’re not wealthy people, nor are the groom’s parents. Together, we shared the costs of the rented venue, the reception and light dinner, being economical while very welcoming to the guests.
Our bride and groom are both working and have future prospects, but also couldn’t have afforded a larger wedding. So, a few days of honeymoon later at a local hotel, they checked with friends, and learned who the mystery guest was.
A work-friend of the groom came with his wife and also brought along the wife’s sister, who’d never met either of the bride and groom. She lives in our city, so she wasn’t an out-of-town visitor they couldn’t leave alone. When the groom casually inquired why they brought her, he was told, “She heard about the wedding and wanted to go.”
I realize there’s nothing we can do about that now. Neither parent wants to make a big deal about this and tarnish the joy of our recent event.
But I’m very curious what your advice would be regarding an uninvited guest. Also, what should people planning a wedding or other celebration do or say to limit the size of the gathering to what was intended, and also affordable?
Curious Mother of the Bride
A It’s the bold impudence of the couple who brought her, and the gall of the uninvited woman to just tag along, that matter here. It’s also a strong alert to the groom that this “work-friend” and wife are “takers,” lacking the awareness of common boundaries (as in, ask first).
Whatever the per-person plate cost, this one extra guest’s food and drink aren’t the issue. And if your son-in-law had said anything at the time, others might’ve heard and gossip could’ve overshadowed an otherwise hospitable event.
Conversely, had there been a special reason and request that required adding one or even two more people to the guest list, I’m sure both hosting families would’ve agreed.
To readers planning a celebration: use your invitation to clarify attendance, e.g. singles may bring a “plus one,” or please don’t bring children under eight, except for family members, or other clear limits.
Reader’s Commentary Regarding the boyfriend who wasn’t “fierce” on current issues (March 28):
“I’m reasonably well-informed about Ukraine, have donated to their cause, emailed the Russian ambassador my views on Putin’s war and written our own government about sanctions and better military preparedness.
“I’ve also, like millions of westerners, watched hours of streaming series.
“The letter-writer’s current beau may not be a good match, but that doesn’t make him inferior to her. Not everyone sees the point of hand-wringing to the exclusion of everything else. We don’t all have to be drawn into every conflict in the world. Indeed, many wars arise precisely because there are few people in the involved countries who are willing to steer a middle course and remain dispassionate. If this late-20s woman wants to ‘take a stand,’ it should involve more than arguing with her boyfriend.”
Ellie’s tip of the day
If hosting a special event on a specifically planned or limited budget, inform guests of any restrictions regarding numbers and/or potential food issues.