Couples Sends Bill to Wedding No-Shows, Sparking Controversy
Marriage is not for the faint-hearted, especially when it comes with unexpected expenses. One couple took action against guests who RSVPed ‘yes’ but failed to show up for their wedding, sending each absentee a $240 invoice.
The Viral Invoice
The invoice was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user who remarked, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol.” The couple, Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee from Chicago, confirmed the bill’s authenticity.
Explaining their actions to the media, Doug mentioned feeling frustrated by the no-shows after they had confirmed their attendance. The couple originally posted the bill on Facebook, noting, “This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount.” The invoice 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.”
Mixed Reactions
The invoice sparked widespread debate. Some sympathized with the couple, sharing their own experiences of wedding no-shows. “I wish I had considered it. One-third of our RSVPs didn’t show up, and we paid for a lot of wasted food,” commented one user.
However, others criticized the move, with one 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.”
The Couple’s Perspective
Doug acknowledged that sending the invoices might seem “a little petty” but insisted, “I am not some trifling person who is going to bill somebody.” A small business owner in Chicago, Doug emphasized that the issue was not about the money but about the disrespect shown by guests who failed to honor their commitment. The couple had meticulously saved for their destination wedding in Jamaica and felt let down by those who repeatedly confirmed their attendance but did not show up.
Doug elaborated, “They repeatedly responded ‘Yes’ when we asked four times, ‘Are you available to come, can you make it?’” He added, “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.”
The couple did not specify what they would do if the invoices were not paid, but it seems that many of their relationships might be at risk.
