An Australian bride has sparked a heated debate after requesting a wedding guest who cancelled at the last minute pay her back for the cost of their seat.
The woman said someone who had RSVP’d yes to the reception informed her they would no longer be able to attend a week before the wedding.
She wanted to know if it was acceptable to ask the invitee if they could cover the non-refundable cost of their seat.
Hundreds were divided over the bride’s conundrum with some thinking she was in the right but others thought the request was ‘rude’ and ‘unreasonable’.
The newlywed shared her dilemma with podcaster Victoria Devine of She’s on The Money saying someone RSVP’d yes to her wedding but pulled out days before.
A bride has divided hundreds after she asked how to ask a guest to pay for their seat after they pulled out of her wedding the week before (stock image)
‘So sorry, I know we RSVP’d yes and the wedding is next week but we just can’t afford to travel interstate at the moment. Hope you understand, would love to have been there,’ they wrote in a text message.
The woman wanted to know the best way to ask the person to pay her back the amount it would have cost for them to be at the wedding.
Weddings in Australia cost $36,000 on average according to Money Smart with the average venue per head cost at around $170.
The cost per head included each person’s meal, drinks, and a small portion of the venue fee.
Opinions were split almost directly down the middle with 51 per cent of She’s on the Money fans saying guest should cover the cost of their late cancellation.
53 per cent of those surveyed said they would be happy to cover the cost of their cancellation if they previously RSVP’d yes if they were asked.
![Hundreds were divided over the bride's conundrum with some thinking she was in the right but others thought the request was 'rude' and 'unreasonable' (stock image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/08/05/78722307-12840013-Hundreds_were_divided_over_the_bride_s_conundrum_with_some_think-a-82_1702013278119.jpg)
Hundreds were divided over the bride’s conundrum with some thinking she was in the right but others thought the request was ‘rude’ and ‘unreasonable’ (stock image)
Hundreds put in their two cents with many arguing the act would be ‘weird’ or ‘gauche’ and said the bride should ‘accept the loss’ and ‘let it go’.
‘You have already paid for it all whether the guests show up or not. It’s a bitter pill, but you have more important things to focus on a week out!’ one listener replied.
‘It feels weird to *ask* someone to cover the seat. Makes even inviting them seem like a transaction,’ another said.
‘No, that’s a cost for the bride and groom same as any function. If the bride and groom feel that strongly, it’s a bitter way to look at it,’ a third wrote.
‘Why would a guest be paying to cover the seats costs? You have the wedding you can afford! No way should a guest be expected to pay a seat costs or give a gift if they can’t make it,’ a fourth added.
However lots of people thought it was more than acceptable that the ‘inconsiderate’ guest foot their bill.
‘The guest should have planned and budgeted when they got the invite and RSVP’d yes. Totally their fault and while I wouldn’t ask them to cover their seat, I think it is completely reasonable to do so!’ one user said.
One person thought guests who cancel last minute should immediately offer to pay their place.
‘It’s being polite, courteous and a good friend, as well as acknowledging all the time, effort and money (in this economy!) that has gone into planning the wedding AND the privilege of being on the invite list,’ they said.
‘The couple getting married could always decline if they don’t feel it’s necessary but to be honest I don’t think it should be up to them to ask as they are the ones who are being put out.’
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