To have limited sympathy for this couple

Why are people criticising complete strangers for expressing their disappointment at having their wedding arrangements spoiled? Surely that’s perfectly understandable.

We don’t know the full story, or their personal circumstances, and can we really trust the veracity of a newspaper report of their situation? We all know that journalists have a tendency to sensationalise any story they can get their hands on, with the intention of provoking a reaction, and it’s clear to see how this article may have been designed to irritate local sensitivities

What was the newspaper by the way?

I have a theory - the more expensive the wedding, the shorter the marriage. I've seen it borne out too.

Yes couldn't agree more! Our very good and very lovely friend was buried last Tuesday, she was 67, had a big, loving family and will be missed by us all. I wouldn't wish the pain her family are going through on my worst enemy.
Maybe this couples ideal wedding wouldn't be so ideal if some of her guests caught Covid? It is serious,and it is real, and I would say to her "get real, get over yourself, think of others", but she sounds such a stupid Pratt I doubt she would take it on board.

Son and daughter in law had a lovely wedding with only eight present. It was arranged three weeks previously.

These large bookings are being accepted so it seems harsh to be too critical of the couple in question. I hope they are blessed with a good solid marriage and are able to look back on the day with happy memories despite a change in their plans.

However I do think it's a little naive of any one of us to plan large events during the colder seasons whatever the occasion. Really heartbreaking I know but until the pandemic eases its simply how it is. Unless it is easily changed to an open air event best to avoid the chance of losing lots of money. Small is beautiful. I have attended a wedding with just 30. It felt very special indeed..although It must be really difficult choosing guests.

My nephew and his fiancée have had to rearrange their wedding twice already and they are now worried that this spring is also at risk but they aren’t moaning about it. Anyone planning anything since Covid arrived has taken a chance. Maybe some of this couple’s guests guests won’t want to travel anyway given the current situation and their ‘purgatory’ will end.

Nadateurbe
Agree
There have been far worse times than the present when planning weddings had no choice other than to be 'on hold'.Many sadly without 'a light at the end of the tunnel' .

Whether or not they booked the church, restaurant and sent out the invitations a year ago, or two months ago, they certainly didn't stop to think first.

A year ago, anyone with any sense could see that we were not out of the wood, so why plan a large wedding?

The sensible thing to do would either have been to postpone their wedding indefinitely, or to marry with only their parents and other immediate family present. They could always hold a big party once the pandemic is a thing of the past.

Most couples these days have lived together for years before they actually marry, so I don't see the point of these large weddings.

So no, I don't think OP that you are being unreasonable. If you are, then so am I.

My sympathies go only to those who can't attend funerals due to the pandemic - they cannot be put off indefinately after all.

Christenings are like weddings. Hold the ceremony with only the parents and godparents present and have a large party later when large gatherings are without the threat of illness.

Yes I imagine some guests might be very relieved to have an excuse not to attend the wedding. They're pretty strict here in Ireland about checking vaccination certs, and mask wearing is mandatory in shops, restaurants, on public transport etc but the Omicron variant is still flying around.

Don't think they need to worry about which guests to chose to un-invite. Listening to the radio this morning most people seem to be cancelling meals etc because they are worried about Omicron. One lady, an entertainment organiser explained how she'd organised an event for 35 children. 18 tickets had been sold but only 8 children turned up. The public are thinking for themselves, rather than listen to the wishy washy statements by the govt.

Yes but it wouldn’t cover you for being bumped off a wedding invitation!

When booking flights, I'm always offered travel insurance.

No. They’re lucky to have 100. Last year it was far fewer.

jaylucy

So many weddings have had to b cancelled or postponed over the last months and as no doubt this latest variant could never have been foretold, the couple really thought that by planning ahead, they would have the day of their dreams.
Their nationality should have no bearing on their reaction or your reaction to their comments, come to think of it and I think you are being unfair!
If they were both Irish, working and living in England and getting married in Ireland, and also planning to fly in a number of guests, would you be thinking the same way ????

That's not really comparing like with like. If it was an Irish couple plann4to have their wedding in England simply because their parents have some family over there, then yes I would be having exactly the same reaction.

Whilst I do have a certain amount of empathy, as to this couple this is such an important time for them, no one would have believed we’d still be in this awful position ! However, they might get some money back and if it was me I’d either cancel completely or go ahead and have a tiny marriage ceremony with a view to having a huge celebration party when and if we ever get through this shower of shite !! So the important thing is our health, I had the tiniest wedding possible 25 years ago as big weddings are just not my thing even though at 39 my parents offered to pay for the entire affair (only child, only wedding)

4allweknow

Why can 25 guests who live locally not cancelled to allow the 25 with flights attend. The exceeded 25 could always be invited to a "do" at another time to celebrate.

Good idea.

But as someone said, it's been hard on us all. Compared to what others have suffered it's a minor issue.

I can understand the disappointment but until the pandemic situation has calmed down , and it will eventually, anyone planning a wedding or major event needs to bear in mind the possibility of problems in mind and be a bit flexible

Lucca

Katie59

If the predictions are correct everything will be closed down on the 27th Dec so the problem will go away. In any case most airlines have a rebooking policy at present (maybe not Ryanair).

Definitely not Ryanair!

Maybe now that the couple have gone public Ryanair might be shamed into letting them rebook or even into giving them a refund. A nice bit of publicity for Michael O’Leary.

It's not only been for the past 21 months that weddings have to be planned waaaaay in advance, even when I married 26 years ago we had to book at least 2 years before and that was for a weekday wedding, it was a 3yr+ wait for a Saturday or Sunday, so I suspect that said couple may have booked years ago.

Gets them in the papers I suppose. Most people now are sensible enough to have contingency plans just in case. No-one needs a huge wedding especially in Winter.

So many weddings have had to b cancelled or postponed over the last months and as no doubt this latest variant could never have been foretold, the couple really thought that by planning ahead, they would have the day of their dreams.
Their nationality should have no bearing on their reaction or your reaction to their comments, come to think of it and I think you are being unfair!
If they were both Irish, working and living in England and getting married in Ireland, and also planning to fly in a number of guests, would you be thinking the same way ????

I do sympathise with the disappointment but I am worried that I won’t be able to attend my brother’s funeral on the 7th January.I’m sure there are lots more in my situation. I won’t be complaining to the press.

I’d like to make 3 points.
It’s natural to overreact to a big disappointment. It doesn’t mean they’re not aware of the serious problems so many people currently have.
We need hope and faith to get through this. If this means plans being cancelled it’s still right to make them and look forward.
People should organise their weddings as they see fit. It’s not for others to make comments or criticisms.

I don’t think you are being unreasonable at all. This was obviously going to happen, people had treated covid as if it had gone away. Sounds like the couple are just upset and throwing their toys out of the pram, but to complain in a newspaper seems churlish.

I understand people being unsympathetic. I think if has been planned and booked since covid it is harder to sympathise. But if it was booked pre covid, then they may have paid large deposits and have already had to postpone. My sons wedding was booked pre covid and was pmdue to take place earlier this year. We postponed to next spring, but actually had a very small wedding on the original date. It was lovely, but none of my family could attend. Plan is for wedding celebration at original venue on rebooked date. If it can't go ahead we may just cancel. But we will lose the large deposit we have paid the venue, plus other deposits paid. But we do count our blessings compared to many others.