Am I doing this right?

Gingernutty

I've been invited to the evening 'do' of a former colleague's wedding.

It's the first time I've been invited to such a thing where family isn't involved and it's all totting up.

I have no really smart clothes so have to shop for stuff.

New top (£35), new trousers (£20), new shoes (trying not to despair), a couple of fifties to pop into the card, taxis, the 'do' is out in the sticks so I've had to book into a nearby hotel for the night.

It's expensive. I'm expecting to pay for drinks when I get there as well.

Is it meant to be this expensive? Am I doing this right?

hieveryone

It doesn't have to be as expensive as that.

If it's a former colleague, I wouldn't be sticking a couple of fifties in the card to be honest.

Can you drive there and not drink/go with someone and car share?

Gingernutty

hieveryone wrote: »

It doesn't have to be as expensive as that.

If it's a former colleague, I wouldn't be sticking a couple of fifties in the card to be honest.

Can you drive there and not drink/go with someone and car share?

Thanks.

Nope. Can't drive and there's no one going who lives near.

jackomdj

A couple of fifties us rather generous! You could get away with £30, lots of people would say nothing but £30 is the lowest I would go.

You can make these things expensive or cheap. Personally I have things I could wear. Plus I would drive if worried about the cost, which then cuts down on alcohol.

Gingernutty

jackomdj wrote: »

A couple of fifties us rather generous! You could get away with £30, lots of people would say nothing but £30 is the lowest I would go.

You can make these things expensive or cheap. Personally I have things I could wear. Plus I would drive if worried about the cost, which then cuts down on alcohol.

Don't drink alcohol and can't drive. But thanks for the tip about the gift.

BrassicWoman

Unless you are still close I'd send a card with £20 and spend the money on a fun family day out!

Anatidaephobia

£100 seems quite a lot to put in the card for an evening do. If you're attending the wedding with other former colleagues, perhaps you can chip in together and put money in one card?

Buying new clothes and shoes IS expensive but you'll be able to wear all of those things again to other events. The next time you need smart clothes, you won't have to buy something new.

Having to pay for a hotel is an unfortunate part of attending weddings in hard to get to places.

daisiegg

A couple of fifties?! We would not have expected that much from a day guest, let alone an evening one! I would say £20 is plenty from an evening guest, so that cuts your costs right down already.

Gingernutty

I'll iron a twenty then.

Anatidaephobia

Gingernutty wrote: »

Don't drink alcohol and can't drive. But thanks for the tip about the gift.

Well, you're not going to spend that much on drinks then. I thought you would be drinking alcohol since you are staying in a hotel. Buying a few soft drinks or drinking water will mean your drinks bill won't be too much.

Gingernutty

Anatidaephobia wrote: »

Well, you're not going to spend that much on drinks then. I thought you would be drinking alcohol since you are staying in a hotel. Buying a few soft drinks or drinking water will mean your drinks bill won't be too much.

The do is out in the sticks and public transport home from the nearest town stops relatively early - I won't be able to get home that evening.