Am I letting the couple down if I skip their optional wedding brunch?
Weddings"Can't you just get a later flight?" the bride asked when I said I couldn't attend the Sunday brunch. I'd booked my Sunday-morning flight three months before the weekend schedule arrived.
The invitation was for Saturday's wedding. When I checked dates before booking, she said any extra gatherings would be optional. I've paid $480 for flights and $340 for two hotel nights. I'll be there for the Friday welcome drinks and Saturday ceremony and reception.
Now brunch has become the moment when our old university group is supposed to have a proper catch-up. The bride says she won't get much time with us on Saturday. She sounded hurt, and I can understand wanting another morning together.
The flight change I've found would cost another $140 and mean leaving on Monday morning, with another $170 hotel night and time away from work. I've decided to keep my Sunday flight.
How do I tell her warmly without turning our friendship into a list of receipts or pretending I might stay?