Friend's Wedding

If you need to leave early I would try and stay at least 1 hour into dancing. Assuming ceremony is 3-4, cocktail hour from 4-5, and dinner from 5-7. (just guessing here) I would try to stay until at least 8.

That being said, I really don't think getting home at 11:30 p.m. and working the next day is a big deal. I would stay the entire time. It's not everyday good friends get married and I think it's important to be there, and drink 2 cups of coffee the next day if you need to. It's a small sacrifice in my opinion.

I don't think you will be the only ones that will have to leave early for work the next day. Your friends should understand. I would try to stay at least until 8-8:30.

I would stay the whole time. I don't think 11:30 is that bad, and you're saying that you can't make it because if an annual event your husband missed ONE time for his own wedding. And yeah, it's cool to celebrate your anniversary, but I don't think that trumps your friend's own actual wedding. Maybe others will be more understanding, but I think it would be selfish to leave early. Especially if she's a good friend AND traveled pretty far for your wedding

View Quoted Comment He is a good friend and he traveled 1.5 hours whereas we are traveling 2.5 hours. If I didn't have to be up the next day at 5:30 I wouldn't have such a concern. I'm not saying I can't make it. I am going to his wedding, but we might have to leave early is all I'm saying.

View Quoted Comment Can you sleep in the car ride home?

View Quoted Comment It would depend on if my husband drives. If he drinks then I would be driving since I don't drink. I have terrible night version so I really.hste driving at night, but I would do it anyways.

Guests leaving early is part of the gamble of having a wedding on a Sunday. You know your friend best. Can you talk to them and give them a heads up that you will have to leave before the end of the reception because of work the next day? I had a Saturday evening wedding and a few people left early. They said goodbye to us before they left and we were just grateful they were able to make it. Also, just because they stayed for your whole wedding doesn't mean you have to reciprocate. The circumstances are not equal (different travel time, different day of the week, etc). And even if they were, leaving early isn't a reflection on how much you care about the friendship. It's a reflection on how you need sleep (which is an important bodily process).

I personally would just take the time off work. I have a lot of flexibility with taking off or making switches with other people, and generally no one cares if you take off as long as someone shows up. However not everyone has that perk with their job. I’m sure you’re friend knows that since her wedding is on Sunday there will be some people who will need to leave early. Unfortunately that just goes along with Sunday weddings, and is the trade off for being less expensive. I would stay as late as you can and leave. You can either let her know ahead of time or not. But she’s going to be having such a wonderful day, honestly she probably wouldn’t even notice if you just snuck out early and didn’t say anything. Don’t compare how long she stayed at your wedding to how long you stay at hers. The important thing is that you’re going and showing your love and support. Weddings are to be celebrated, not compared like a competition.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately, having someone cover for me isn't an option. I work in a tiny office that consists of an office manager, the attorney I work for and me. I just don't want my friend to think I don't care about his wedding if my husband and I decide to leave early.

Yes, and they might not even notice. Don’t worry about what they did for your wedding, worry about what works best for your life. For them to schedule their wedding on a Sunday night, they’re knowingly making a sacrifice with regards to attendance. Don’t worry about leaving early— it’s a non issue and not a big deal, as long as you’re there through dinner! Celebrate, show your support, and leave when you need to.

If it were me, I would just be tired for the next day of work. However, I'm a night owl and usually go to bed at 12-12:30. Leaving at 8 is a good option as well, thats still 5 hours. I'm sure your friend will understand.

View Quoted Comment My husband and I are usually in bed by 10 since he has to be up at 5 and I have to be up at 5:30. I have fibromyalgia which makes me really tired so I generally need more sleep than someone without fibromyalgia. I definitely plan on staying as long as possible, but if we decide to leave early I hope my friend understands.

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Oh no! My grandmother has fibromyalgia, so I definitely understand that! I hope your friend understands, I think the fact that you're traveling all that way on a Sunday already makes you guys good friends. Hope it all works out for the best!

I agree with the other's saying you should just stay the entire time. Getting home at 11:30 isn't that bad for a 1 time occassion. Will you regret leaving their wedding early? Or would you be okay with it. If you don't think you'll regret it then i would head out after some dancing, but I think it's worth a little less sleep to enjoy your friends wedding.

Leaving early is not a crime. I imagine a lot of people will since it's a Sunday evening wedding.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I don't suffer from fybromyalgia (thank goodness), but I do have another condition that requires me to get a lot of sleep. So, I don't think you need to worry about your friend. They know they are having a Sunday evening wedding, and that probably most of their guests have to work the next day. If I were the bride, and you were my good friend, I would totally understand, and happy that you were able to make it at all. I wouldn't be mad if you had to leave early.

If it were me, I would see if I could go into work a couple of hours later on Monday. That might be the perfect solution! That way, you could get a better amount of sleep, without missing any part of your friend's wedding, and still make it to work the next day.

View Quoted Comment That would probably work. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks 😊

Of course they would understand. I don’t think that’s a major deal whatsoever. The fact that you sacrificed and attended was more than enough. Yup, leave early. If it helps, text them when you RSVP or a week or two before the wedding to explain the situation. Yes, we’re attending but have to leave the reception early.