A Chicago couple, who had no-shows at their destination wedding in Negril, Jamaica, gave those guests a petty surprise.
Doug Simmons posted an invoice on Facebook with a caption lambasting the no-shows.
“DON’T BE OFFENDED WHEN I SEND THIS #INVOICE TO YOU. IT’S GONNA LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I’LL BE SENDING IT VIA EMAIL AND CERTIFIED MAIL… JUST IN CASE YOU SAY YOU AIN’T GET THE EMAIL #PETTYPOST.”
And with that, Doug attached an invoice of $240 to the post. The payment’s due date was a month from August 18.
The invoice added a ballsy message explaining why the document was created.
“This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount,” a note at the bottom of the “#PETTYPOST” Doug wrote on the invoice. “Because you didn’t call or give us proper notice that you wouldn’t be in attendance, this amount is what you owe us for paying for your seat(s) in advance. You can pay via Zelle or PayPal. Please reach out to us and let us know which method of payment works for you. Thank you!”
Oop.
The groom, 44, and his bride, Dedra, 44, had invited over 100 guests to their Caribbean wedding at the Royalton Negril Resort and Spa, per the New York Post.
Although Doug admitted the invoice was a petty move, the business owner made it clear that he wasn’t pressed for the cash and that it was the principle.
“Four times we asked, ‘Are you available to come, can you make it?,’ and they kept saying ‘Yes,’ ” he told The Post. “We had to pay in advance for Jamaica — this was a destination wedding.”
The final headcount revealed a different story.
“No one told me or texted me, ‘Hey, we can’t make it,’ ” Simmons said. “That’s all I was asking. If you tell me you can’t make it, I would be understanding — but to tell me nothing, but then let me pay for you and your plus ones? Four people became eight people. I took that personally.”
Of course, Twitterverse was split on Doug’s invoice.
Some folks thought the newlywed was well within his rights to demand payment from the no-shows.
Hey, it’s something anyone in their shoes has thought of wanting to do. They just had the chutzpah to actually do it. Weddings are expensive and stressful. Not showing up is insulting. I get it. Good for them
— Sabra Darling (@SabraDarling) August 28, 2021
This is justified. I wish I had the balls to do it to people who no showed last minute. Had up until 3 days before to give a heads up. Imagine your friend paying for a really nice dinner at the most expensive steakhouse for you and then you no show despite them paying already
— Bruce Pierre (@thedoublebruce) August 28, 2021
$240 is a lot to waste. …if there’s not proper excuse for not showing, they owe them people lol.
— Magnegra (@Daniellesssssss) August 24, 2021
Why are commenters acting like ghosting is acceptable? Knowing damn well that if they get ghosted for anything they are ready to go to defcon 5.
— CMD (@Pharze) August 28, 2021
Not sure I’d have been able the send the invoice but the bride/groom make a damn good point. You didn’t show up or call?! That’s seriously rude.
— EC10677 (@EC10677) August 25, 2021
Others thought the request to pay was ludicrous and tacky.
I’d send it back right away pic.twitter.com/LHa7EAC1ng
— Hedgehog no. 1 (@hedgehogkibble) August 24, 2021
Imagine, having a wedding in a pandemic. Then sending invoices to those who didn’t show.
I swear this letter would be the last time I ever contacted them as a friend.
— ᒍᗩIᑕEE 🏳️🌈 (@justj4icee) August 24, 2021
I understand being upset about no show guests for a small wedding but sending an invoice is too much. pic.twitter.com/CO7s580x9P
— KD (@Fly_Sistah) August 24, 2021
Tell me you’re not going to have any friends to console you after the divorce without telling me you’re not going to have any friends to console you after the divorce.
— Phins (@PhinsMSP) August 25, 2021
This is such a tacky thing to do. I’d pay and never again speak with them.
That said, if I missed a wedding when I had confirmed attendance, I would be profusely apologetic and would insist on paying for my “seat” (along with getting them my present).
— Keni 💉💉 (@KeniLF) August 25, 2021
The groom didn’t say what he’d do if people didn’t pay, and nonetheless, the newlyweds did enjoy their honeymoon and wedding.
Petty or not– we wish Doug and Dedra the absolute best!
