Zero awareness of wedding invite etiquette

[u/Natural-Cupcake3359]

We are having a small wedding at a private residence in a few weeks. As late-bloomer lesbians in the second chapter of our lives, we invited only people who authentically support us and love us to attend. We've both been married before, so we want this wedding to actually be about us this time.

We invited our friends, a couple that we have known the entire duration of our relationship, let's call them Jill and Bill. Jill just texted tonight and said "Bill can't make it, so I'm bringing my friend instead." This was weird for us. We don't know the friend and the wedding is 50 people. We know every single person attending, and we know them well, so having one rando in there feels strange. We tried to explain that we'd love to have Jill come, but we invited Bill, not some girl we've never met. Unfortunately, they responded by saying that neither one will be attending and that they are no longer interested in our friendship. They couldn't believe we'd expect Jill to attend alone if Bill couldn't go. (Note - these friends are local and so is the wedding, so we're not saying she must travel alone).

My partner and I have always been taught that whoever is explicitly listed on the invite is who is invited. If it says "Jill and Bill Smith" the invite is not for "Jill Smith and Guest." I'm sort of surprised that 1) we had to explain this to middle-aged adults and 2) it was so offensive they don't want to be our friends. Their loss. But please people, have a little more self awareness than Jill and Bill. 🙄 Sigh.

Edit: A few contextual notes. Jill and Bill knew it was a small wedding because we had discussed it with them when we were planning the event. Also, my partner was very polite when she said that we weren't open to Jill bringing a friend. No hostility or shaming, just kindly explaining.

[u/23capri]

i do understand completely why op wouldn’t want a stranger at their small wedding, but if jill still wanted to come and wouldn’t know anybody else there since her husband couldn’t make it, should she just be expected to sit alone the whole time? that can be extremely awkward for a lot of people and this is why most people advise others to offer +1s.

it still doesn’t excuse jill and bill’s extreme reaction to end the friendship though, they should have at least asked or addressed the concern with op.

[u/rabbithasacat → u/23capri]

But it doesn't sound like she wouldn't have known anybody there. They only invited an intimate circle of local friends and loved ones. Even if Jill somehow didn't know anyone else in that circle, they won't exactly be hostile - she could find herself among a bunch of new friends!

This feels more like they're the type of people who think they can't do things separately from their partner, or just can't believe they'd be asked to leave their kids at home, or who want to take a pet with them everywhere they go. And they sort of proved it by flouncing right out of the relationship the moment they got any pushback.

If you're going to offer a plus one, it will say so on the invitation. An invite with named persons on it is an invite for those people. Swapping one out for a stranger and then taking offense when the bride objects is the height of rudeness.

[u/strawberryskis4ever → u/rabbithasacat]

While I agree it is rude to assume a plus one when the invitation named a guest, I think it’s quite a leap to assume that Jill can’t do anything without her partner and never likes to be alone. I also think it is a bit overly optimistic to assume a singleton will make actual friends with the other guests, which I’ve seen mentioned multiple times. I am someone who is quite comfortable in these situations and yet I’ve never walked away from a wedding with an actual new friendship. Been friendly with other guests and enjoyed a lovely evening, maybe even became FB friends (yep, I’m old) but never walked away with a new social circle. As comfortable as I am in these situations, I do not think that’s the norm and I even understand how others could feel differently. Group dynamics can be weird and some friend groups can be very insular, even a bit unwelcoming to outsiders. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see how uncomfortable or uncertain being alone in a group can be.

[u/BaileyAMR → u/strawberryskis4ever]

When the couple invites you to their next party or dinner, you will see people you met at the wedding. You will see them many times over the years. They may never be "your" friends, but they can become people you're always glad to see at Joe and Jack's parties.