Money Moral Dilemma: Should I turn down my friend's Italian wedding invite?

Pollycat

Mojisola wrote: »

As above - anyone who plans a wedding abroad should realise that not everyone they would like to attend will be able to go - whether for financial reasons or using up holiday days or hating flying or any other reason.

And therefore shouldn't throw a strop when they get 'sorry, we're not coming' messages.

REJP

Where is the "moral" dilemma here? O p clearly does not want to go and be alone in a crowd.
Stay home and do what this site recommends, that is, save your money. The friend in Italy probably only invited you so that she could not be accused of ignoring you. As other respondents note, she may be relieved that a polite refusal from some people cuts the cost of feeding the guest list.

onomatopoeia99

bouicca21 wrote: »

For me it would depend on how close a friend and whether language skills were needed.

In most of Italy language skills aren't needed. Most in customer facing roles in any tourist establishment, restaurant etc will speak at least intermediate level English. I get depressed when I talk to them in Italian and they reply in English!

I'm told the further south you go the fewer English speakers you encounter, but as yet the furthest south I've been is Rome and everyone there seemed to speak English.

114894dk

I went on my own to a wedding in Australia where I knew only the bride, had an absolute ball, met a lovely bloke and ended up moving over there.
But, that was my story. Only you can decide

seven-day-weekend

I would not willingly spend that much money to attend anyone's wedding, not even my son's, unless for some reason he had no choice but to get married abroad. If I would like a holiday in the place as well, then I might.

If you don't want to go/can't afford to go, just politely refuse.

gloriouslyhappy

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I would not willingly spend that much money to attend anyone's wedding, not even my son's, unless for some reason he had no choice but to get married abroad. If I would like a holiday in the place as well, then I might.

If you don't want to go/can't afford to go, just politely refuse.

MSE_Megan_F wrote: »

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
Is it fair not to go, considering it will cost about £500?

You wouldn't spend £500 to attend your son's wedding? Gosh, I feel sorry for you - I know this is a money-saving site but some occasions are too precious to miss, unless of course you have a terrible relationship with your son, in which case I feel even more sorry for you!

seven-day-weekend

gloriouslyhappy wrote: »

You wouldn't spend £500 to attend your son's wedding? Gosh, I feel sorry for you - I know this is a money-saving site but some occasions are too precious to miss, unless of course you have a terrible relationship with your son, in which case I feel even more sorry for you!

I have an excellent relationship with my son and of course would wish to attend his wedding. I would hope that he would marry somewhere where it didn't cost a fortune for people to attend, but I suppose if he insisted on it then I would have to fork out.

However, I would not pay it to attend anyone else's wedding abroad, which will cost considerably more than £500 by the time you have got there, bought clothes and presents and had a holiday you might not otherwise have had. No way.

omendata

I will come with you.
I speak Italian and a few other languages so you will never be stuck for chat.

I have a villa in Malcesine so you can stay there if you want.
Single myself and looking TALL , DARK AND DEVASTATINGLY HANDSOME WITH A SUAVE AND SOPHISTICATED jAMES bOND STYLEE AND I WILL EVEN WEAR MY KILT - perhaps we can arrange a second wedding???
lol

onwards&upwards

gloriouslyhappy wrote: »

You wouldn't spend £500 to attend your son's wedding? Gosh, I feel sorry for you - I know this is a money-saving site but some occasions are too precious to miss, unless of course you have a terrible relationship with your son, in which case I feel even more sorry for you!

I think £500 is a bit optimistic.

Flights, hotel, taxis, food, drinks, wedding present, outfit suitable for the weather/venue if needed.

I bet it’ll add up to a fair bit more.

pheonix254

I'd do it! I met my girlfriend at a foreign wedding where she knew a friend of a friend of the bride and no-one else. Solo travel is nowhere near as scary as it first seems - you might learn something about yourself, and whilst I know many solo travelers, I don't know any that would describe their solo travels as "lonely."


So do it, and tack on a few extra days to see the fabulous country that is Italy!