Overseas wedding

[Anonymous]

Just received a beautiful invitation from my cousin who is getting married mid-september in Europe (not a destination wedding). Do you think she would be offended if we are unable to go? Kids will be in school and dh working. I work too but could take maybe 4 days off theoretically and I am not super keen on making the trip alone, though I would love to go if we all could. Wdyt?

[Anonymous]

No, they shouldn't be offended at all.

[Anonymous]

Nobody gets offended if people who have to cross an ocean to attend their wedding don't, unless they're very self-centered.

[Anonymous]

No. I invited my cousins from overseas to my wedding here in the states. I didn’t expect any of them to come, but I wanted them to know they were welcome to do so. A couple did come and it was fun! But I had no expectations.

[Anonymous]

No worries at all.

[Anonymous]

That was DH and me. We were not offended at all that people couldn't attend.

[Anonymous]

They wont be offended but before you say no, see if someone from DH/s family could come for a couple days and watch your kids while you attend. Especially if they will be in school it shouldn't be too hard.

My in-laws did that for us, we literally flew to Paris overnight, there for 2 nights for a wedding, flew back next morning and home in late afternoon. Seems crazy, but wasn't really and was nice to be away even for only a couple nights.

[Anonymous]

They shouldn't be offended, few people would be. But why are you afraid to travel by yourself, OP? A couple of days in Europe attending a wedding sounds divine, especially if you are fond of your cousin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody gets offended if people who have to cross an ocean to attend their wedding don't, unless they're very self-centered.

Well, it was a beautiful invitation, according to the OP. Seems like a summons to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They shouldn't be offended, few people would be. But why are you afraid to travel by yourself, OP? A couple of days in Europe attending a wedding sounds divine, especially if you are fond of your cousin.

+1 I wouldn’t be offended but I do feel bad for/privately think less of people who are unwilling to travel without their spouse/children to attend an event they would otherwise enjoy, assuming the logistics are otherwise feasible

[Anonymous]

Not at all.

FWIW DH and I often attend these types of (inconvenient) extended family weddings solo, and always have a good time. Would rather save vacation time/vacation budget for when kids are out of school. But certainly is not necessary to attend!

[Anonymous]

Go or you'll be shunned!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They shouldn't be offended, few people would be. But why are you afraid to travel by yourself, OP? A couple of days in Europe attending a wedding sounds divine, especially if you are fond of your cousin.

I really hate flying and it feels like a lot to go alone for just two days, rent a car, a hotel room alone...I dread it! The reception part would be fun of course, my whole family would be there, but I know myself and I will be anxious about the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They shouldn't be offended, few people would be. But why are you afraid to travel by yourself, OP? A couple of days in Europe attending a wedding sounds divine, especially if you are fond of your cousin.

I really hate flying and it feels like a lot to go alone for just two days, rent a car, a hotel room alone...I dread it! The reception part would be fun of course, my whole family would be there, but I know myself and I will be anxious about the rest.

Then I don’t think you need to feel badly about not going (although if it were me, I would probably find another cousin or family member who could only go alone and go with them). And where in Europe would you need to rent a car? You can get almost anywhere by train.

[Anonymous]

Going solo is still hundreds of dollars, which isn't pocket change to many and thus would impact the family travel budget for a family vacation.