Marriage is not for the weak-hearted. It can come with a hefty price tag, especially when dealing with no-shows at the wedding. This couple took a bold step to address the issue of absentee guests.
Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee, from Chicago, were furious when guests who had RSVP’d ‘yes’ didn’t show up for their wedding. They decided to send a $240 bill to each person who didn’t turn up after confirming their attendance.
The invoice was shared on X (formerly known as Twitter). A user named thweddat posted a picture of the bill, saying, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol.”
Despite some people thinking the invoice was fake, the couple confirmed it was real. Doug explained his frustration to the media, saying he would have felt “some kind of way” if guests didn’t show up after confirming.
Doug initially shared the bill on Facebook. The invoice’s notes section read, “This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount.”
It continued, “This sum is what you owe us for paying for your seat(s) in advance because you did not call or give us prior notice that you would not be in attendance. PayPal or Zelle can be used for payment. Please get in touch with us and let us know which payment option is most convenient for you. I’m grateful.”
The internet quickly became divided on whether this was a fair move. One person commented, “I wish I had considered it. 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 person disapproved, saying, “You are so dear to us that we invited you to our wedding. But since you didn’t let us show you in person, we are going to break up that relationship for $240. However, you’ll receive an invitation to our baby shower eventually, so please bring a present.”
A Twitter user joked, “How easy it would be to just mail the invoice back.” Another added, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen an invoice for a wedding reception.”
Doug admitted things got “a little petty,” but clarified, “I am not some trifling person who is going to bill somebody.”
Doug, a small business owner, wanted to emphasize that it wasn’t about the money but the disrespect from those who promised to attend but didn’t show up. The couple had worked hard to save for their destination wedding in Jamaica, paying in advance for the large guest list.
“They repeatedly responded ‘Yes’ when we asked four times, ‘Are you available to come, can you make it?’” Doug said. He was annoyed, saying, “This was a destination wedding—we had to pay in advance for Jamaica.”
Despite asking guests multiple times if they could attend, some still didn’t show up. “No one texted or told me, ‘Hey, we can’t make it.’ All I wanted was that.
I would understand if you told me you couldn’t make it, but to keep me in the dark and then allow me to cover the cost of you and your companions? I took it personally.” What started as four people not showing up turned into eight.
The couple didn’t say what they would do if they weren’t paid, but it seems like a lot of their relationships might be in jeopardy.
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