A bride spoke of her devastation after more than half of the guests failed to turn up to their wedding. On top of this, the newlyweds lost more than $27 000 in costs after splashing out on the big day, thinking that all 88 invitees would turn up. Gray Narvaez-Dragion, a transgender 19-year-old who uses they/them pronouns, posted their dismay on TikTok ealier this year.
In the touching video, which went viral with more than eight million views, the newlywed explained: “88 people said yes… not even 40 showed up.”
The 30-second clip also showed a nearly-empty function filled with tables in anticipation of the all the expected guests who never arrived.
Gray, from Iowa, shared the video under their user name @grayanxiety and they and their partner, Nyx, received plenty of support from outraged commentators after they revealed: “We cancelled our sparkler send off, private dance, dinner… cut entire reception short. Been in tears for hours over this.”
They also shared a series of follow-up videos showing the number of positive RSVPs the newlyweds had received and their response to the disappointing news. One video showed Gray with tear-stained make-up along with the caption: “We literally sat in the empty ceremony room together and cried.”
While another comment read: “I spent so much trying to make this enjoyable for everyone. I have magnets and soap gifts made for everyone… and I have so much left. Nyx made spell jars and we were up until 2:30 this morning trying to make this enjoyable for everyone.
“Most of my money was spent on things for the guests… and almost no one showed. Looking at our magnets makes me bawl… I can’t even use my custom made soap samples because that makes me cry too. Why didn’t they show up? 🙁 I spent so much f*****g time trying to make everyone feel included.”
They added: “The DJ also ‘felt so bad (that) he made us use the photobooth I hadn’t touched and took pics together,” and that they even fell over during the couple’s first dance. The huge cost of the wedding on February 27 left the newlyweds struggling financially as well.
Plenty of other TikTokers were also sympathetic to Gray and Nyx’s experience. One wrote: “It was a beautiful ceremony and those didn’t show up, it’s their loss,” while someone else added: “Our table loved the soaps and spell jars. Our little trinkets. I’ll take more, they’re so cute and I appreciated even having little gifts for coming!”
One user advised: “I hope you cut those people from your life. Don’t accept any excuse. If they didn’t show up for your best day, they won’t show up in your worst day,” and another, who appeared to have been at the wedding, praised the couple’s strength and said: “So blessed to be apart if this day for you, you two are so strong always have been always will be. I love you so much. Was an honour standing by you.” — Mirror.co.uk.