Friend Skipped Wedding After Getting Free $2000 Trip to Bali
The Original Post
I (25F) recently got married to my (25M) husband in Bali, Indonesia in January. It was a destination wedding, but my parents and his parents paid for their own plane tickets and hotel, but we paid for our friends plane tickets and hotel stays. Each plane ticket was about $2000 USD and hotel was maybe about $150-300 for a week. My friend “Gemma” brought along her newly wed husband “John” along but paid for his plane ticket. The problem is that Gemma and John did not show up to my wedding. Gemma took the free plane ticket to Bali and the hotel room and when I asked her why she didn’t show up she said that since they couldn’t afford their own honeymoon that this was a perfect opportunity and that Jim decided that he didn’t feel like going. I was really hurt by this since Gemma and I have been friends for over 10 years. WIBTA if I took her to small claims court for the money I spent on the plane ticket and hotel?
What Reddit Said
Reddit overwhelmingly supported the bride’s anger and frustration. Most users were shocked by the friend’s audacious behavior. The consensus was clear: taking a free vacation specifically for someone’s wedding, then skipping the actual ceremony, crosses a major line.
However, Redditors were divided on the legal aspect. Many pointed out that proving damages in small claims court would be difficult. In fact, some noted that the plane ticket was technically a gift with no written contract requiring attendance.
The Verdict
The overwhelming consensus: OP is Not the Asshole (NTA). This friend skipped wedding free trip situation represents a massive betrayal of trust and basic decency. While Reddit supported her morally, many advised focusing on friendship betrayal recovery rather than legal action. The friend’s behavior was universally condemned as selfish and manipulative.
Original post from r/AmItheAsshole (9,215 upvotes, 1,547 comments)