Four weddings and a baby shower: the financial pressure of too many invites

A reader wrote to Trish Murphy’s Tell Me About It column looking for advice for a problem that she says is driving her crazy and taking over her life. In the past two years, she has been invited to eight weddings, eight hen parties and now baby showers too.

Her main issue is the expense - her spending on average for a hen party and wedding tips €3,000 and she is trying to save for a house. And as a single person she finds the cost really difficult.

And her friends are constantly trying to fix her up with a partner – which is more annoying than helpful.

But why doesn’t she simply say no. Can her friend group handle the truth? And why are Irish weddings so extravagant?

Is the ability to say ‘no’ a part of our Irish character? Why are we so reluctant to speak plainly?

Murphy is a psychotherapist and she tells In the News how she answered the reader and why weddings are such a flashpoint for friendships.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

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