A couple shared their devastation after more than half of their wedding guests failed to show up on their big day despite 88 people confirming attendance, leaving them thousands out of pocket
A bride shared her devastation after over half of her wedding guests failed to attend the ceremony.
Adding insult to injury, the newlyweds found themselves £22,000 out of pocket after paying for what they thought would be a celebration with all 88 confirmed attendees.
Gray Narvaez-Dragion, a 19-year-old who uses they/them pronouns, took to TikTok to share their distress.
In the tear-jerking video, which has since amassed over eight million views, the heartbroken newlywed disclosed: “88 people said yes… not even 40 showed up.”
The brief clip also showcased the sorrowful sight of an almost empty venue, with rows of vacant tables laid out for guests who never arrived.
Gray, hailing from Iowa and posting under the username @grayanxiety, along with their partner Nyx, received an outpouring of sympathy from outraged viewers after saying: “We cancelled our sparkler send off, private dance, dinner… cut entire reception short. Been in tears for hours over this.”
They subsequently shared further videos showing the many RSVPs the couple had received and their reaction to the devastating disappointment.
One particularly moving video depicted Gray with smeared, tear-stained makeup alongside the caption: “We literally sat in the empty ceremony room together and cried.”
Another heartbreaking comment added: “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 said: “The DJ also ‘felt so bad [that] he made us use the photobooth I hadn’t touched and took pics together,” while revealing they’d even stumbled during their first dance.
The hefty wedding expenses have plunged the couple into severe financial hardship.
They said: “I can’t afford our own food after I got fired and not even half attended. I’m devastated.”
Many kind-hearted followers have stepped forward, offering to buy wedding gifts for the newlyweds to makeup for the ones they never received.
Countless TikTok users have expressed solidarity with Gray and Nyx’s heartbreaking situation.
One supporter said: “It was a beautiful ceremony and those didn’t show up, it’s their loss,” while another 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 wrote: “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,” while another, apparently a wedding attendee, praised the couple’s strength, saying: “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.”
