My Friend Didn’t Contribute a Penny to My Wedding, Yet She’s Inviting Me to Hers!

Blythe Clarke never tossed me a penny for my wedding, and now shes invited me to hers.

Oliver Morgan and Blythe tied the knot a year ago. Their parents, both only children, insisted the celebration should be topnotch. The young couples suggestion of a casual kebabstyle gathering was brushed aside; the mothers were dreaming of a proper white dress, a horsedrawn carriage and all the trimmings.

Realising a grand ball was nonnegotiable, the families set to work. There were endless todos: manicures, makeup, buying a wedding dress and a tux, plus a laundry list of other essentials. The parents agreed to foot everything except the brides gown and the grooms suit. They booked the citys most fashionable restaurant, chose a bouquet of English roses for Blythe, and arranged for the grooms mothers frienda seasoned bakerto whip up the cake.

A meticulous guest list was compiled, aiming to invite every relative, even the ones you only see on Christmas cards. The rationale was simple: wealthy guests could bring hefty presents, which could later be turned into a car or a deposit on a flat. After a lively debate, the most distant cousins were crossed off. A few gave plausible excuses and withdrew, leaving mainly the friends the couple had actually wanted there.

On the wedding day the weather was pictureperfect, despite a morning forecast of drizzle. Blythe looked stunning in a silk dress trimmed with delicate lace. Olivers bride was simply radiant, and he couldnt take his eyes off her all day. The photographer, eager to earn his keep, snapped away with his gleaming camera, while guests buzzed with anticipation for the banquet.

When the photo session wrapped, the newlyweds climbed into a snowwhite carriage and rolled off to the restaurant. Champagne flowed like a river and congratulations were handed out in abundance. Gifts arrived mostly as envelopes stuffed with cash. The couple had warned everyone they only wanted money, yet a few pensioners could not resist and gifted a blanket, a set of sheets and some china.

The threetier cake, bedecked with luxurious icing, edible flowers and pearllike sugar beads, won over even the most discerning palate. The reception was a proper highsociety affair. Only in the early hours did weary guests start to drift home, while the couple retired to the hotel suite they’d booked.

The next morning, when they visited their parents, Olivers mother mentioned that one envelope was empty. She added that the envelope had been given by Blythes close friend, Charlotte Hayes. It was easy to spot the culpritunlike the others, the envelope bore no name. Blythe felt absolutely mortified.

The situation got worse because, before the wedding, Charlotte had swore there was no longer a custom of giving less than a thousand pounds and promised shed surely support her friend financially.

Barely a year later Charlotte found herself in the bridal seat and promptly invited Blythe and her husband to her own celebration. She immediately reminded her friend to cough up the cash, hoping the money would at least help cover the expenses. The newlyweds were left scratching their heads. Blythe suggested that her husband could hand over an empty envelope, just as Charlotte had done. He proposed giving a little more to make Blythe feel embarrassed. Their mother advised Blythe to slip the bare minimum into the envelopethen she could stay silent about the trick and have nothing left to hold a grudge over.

Now, with Charlottes wedding looming, Blythe cant decide what to do.