Bride branded a ‘scammer’ after uninviting cousin from wedding but keeping gift

A woman was left baffled after her cousin uninvited her to her wedding reception because she wanted to party with her friends, and was concerned she wouldn’t be able to if she was there

Weddings are such a fun time to celebrate and party with your family, and when you’re invited to one, the likelihood is you’ll start planning your outfit and present for the happy couple. The last thing you expect to happen when you’re set to attend, however, is to be uninvited – especially when you’ve already purchased them a gift and they’ve happily received it.

One woman took to Reddit’s ‘Am I the a**hole’ forum to share what had happened with her cousin, explaining that she was told the reception wasn’t ‘really suitable’ for her because she isn’t 21, which is the legal drinking age in America. Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t happy.

She said: “My (20F) cousin Isabelle (26F) is getting married in January. I chose a set of Royal Albert plates from the gift registry and they’ve already been delivered.

“The invitation said the ceremony would be first, followed immediately by meals and guests would start making their way to the reception hall. Invitation also said to ‘be prepared for a night of drinking and dancing’ at the reception.

“A couple of days ago Isabelle called me, we made some small talk. She then said she wanted to call just to confirm I knew the reception was more for partying, and it isn’t really suitable for me considering I’m not even 21.

“I said I’m fine drinking water and soda, but she replied the capacity for the reception hall is smaller so they’re not including younger guests. Mind you this is a child-free wedding so there aren’t really any ‘younger’ guests, I get not wanting to have kids around for the reception.

“Isabelle said I’m invited to the ceremony and dinner. I was confused and told her this is really weird, the invitation said ceremony and reception. She replied that she’s sorry for the misunderstanding but it said there would be drinking and stuff.

“Eventually I told her okay, I respect that but if she could kindly send the plates back so I can get a refund. Isabelle asked why because I’m going to be there for the most important part and they’ve included me in the catering. I said I was expecting to attend the entire wedding, not half and I bought the gift based on that.

“I might not attend at all now, so she needs to send the plates back and I’ll decide another suitable gift, if any.

“She said no one takes back gifts and it’s not like I’m uninvited, if I don’t want to come now that’s on me and I’ve already gotten the gift.

“I also got a text from my other cousin (Isabelle’s sister) that I’m making a scene (she’s 19 by the way and attending the reception. I know another cousin the same age as me is attending the reception), and I think Isabelle’s talked to other relatives about it. My fiancé thinks I’m okay though. So was I the a**hole asking to return the plates?”

In the comments, people were furious for the original poster saying it was wrong for her to be uninvited from the reception.

One wrote: “You were uninvited. Of course you’re free to request your gift back. Classy? Probably not but that’s not the bride’s theme anyways.”

Another fumed: “The bride uninvited her from the reception, so OP [original poster] uninvited her as a gift-receiver. And her reason was also so meh. What about adults that don’t drink? Does she throw people from the reception that aren’t at least some way intoxicated after one hour?”

Someone else raged: “Who wants to sit there throughout a ceremony in the first place? Then get uninvited to the reception? What a scam. The ceremony isn’t as important to those that are not in the wedding party. This bride is shady.”

“She is disrespecting you”, added another. “You are an adult, not a child. And her sister who is younger than you is going.”

What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments.