Marriage is not for the faint of heart, and a wedding can come with substantial costs. This couple was particularly determined to address the issue of no-shows. They were infuriated by guests who RSVP’d “yes” but didn’t attend their wedding, so they sent a $240 bill to everyone who failed to show up.
The invoice was posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the caption, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol,” by user thweddat. Despite some suspicions that the invoice was fake, the couple—Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee from Chicago—confirmed its authenticity.
Speaking with the media, Doug explained that he would have felt “some kind of way” if guests didn’t show up after confirming their attendance. He originally shared the bill on Facebook, writing, “This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount.” The note continued, explaining, “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 invoice sparked a debate. Some people sympathized, sharing their own experiences with no-shows at their weddings. “I wish I had considered it. Of the people that sent in RSVPs for our wedding, one-third did not arrive. Even though it cost much less than $120 a plate, we paid for a LOT of food that went to waste.” Others 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 or a collection of faces.”
One Twitter user wondered, “How easy would it be to just mail the invoice back?” while another said, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen an invoice for a wedding reception.”
Acknowledging that things had gotten “a little petty,” Doug clarified, “I am not some trifling person who is going to bill somebody.” As a small business owner in Chicago, he emphasized that it wasn’t about the money but the disrespect he and his spouse felt from
