Weddings are a joyous occasion but can also come with a hefty price tag. For one couple, the issue of guests not showing up was something they couldn’t ignore.
A newly married couple became quite upset with the folks who didn’t show up to their big day despite RSVPing “yes.” In response, they sent these no-shows a $240 bill.
A picture of this invoice was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by a user named thweddat. The caption read, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol.”
Initially, many thought the invoice was a joke, but the bride and groom confirmed it was real. Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee from Chicago explained why they sent the bill. Doug expressed how hurt he felt when guests, who said they would come, didn’t show up without any notice.
Doug first posted the bill on his Facebook. The note on the invoice explained, “This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed a seat at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount. Because you didn’t call or give us proper notice that you wouldn’t be attending, this amount is what you owe us for paying for your seat in advance. You can pay via Zelle or PayPal. Please let us know which method works for you. Thank you!”
This sparked a heated debate online. One person commented, “I wish I’d thought of this. A third of the people who RSVP’d for our wedding didn’t show up. We paid for a lot of food that went to waste.” Another, disagreeing with the couple’s move, wrote, “We invited you to our wedding because you’re special. Cutting ties over $240 seems extreme.”
Some humorously suggested they’d send the invoice right back.
Doug did admit it was a “little petty,” but he clarified, “I’m not someone who does this lightly.”
Running a small business in Chicago, Doug wanted to stress that it wasn’t about the money. It was about the disappointment and lack of respect they felt when people didn’t show up after confirming multiple times. They had worked hard to plan a beautiful wedding with over 100 guests, and the absentees hit them hard.
“We asked four times, ‘Are you sure you can make it?,’ and they always said ‘Yes,’” Doug explained. “We paid in advance for Jamaica—it was a destination wedding.”
When the final headcount was taken and they noticed the no-shows, Doug shared his frustration, “No one even texted to say they couldn’t make it. If they had, I would have understood. But to say nothing and let us pay for their seats and their plus ones? It felt personal.”
The couple hasn’t disclosed what they plan to do if payments aren’t made. However, it seems that some relationships may now be on shaky ground.
What do you think about a bride and groom asking for payment from wedding no-shows? Share this article with loved ones and see what they think!
