Imagine getting a wedding invitation—only to find out you have to pay just to attend. That’s exactly what happened when one bride decided to charge her guests $65 per person for the privilege of celebrating her big day.
A shocked friend took to Reddit to expose the bride’s unexpected rule, calling her “cheap” and “tacky” for making her guests cover wedding costs.
"One of my closest friends is getting married, and she's charging guests to attend," the Redditor wrote. "I always knew she was frugal, so I’m not completely surprised. But this is really unheard of in my country. Although, I’ve noticed more people my age doing this, and honestly, it’s embarrassing."But the fee wasn’t just for food—it covered everything from music and decorations to the venue itself. And that wasn’t all.
More Fees, More Frustration
On top of the $65 charge, the bride also expected guests to pay extra for an optional pre-wedding dinner. Want to stay overnight at the venue? That’ll be another $100 per night. Attending both nights? That’s $200.
"At least those costs are optional," the friend admitted. "But if I’m invited to a wedding, I shouldn’t have to pay just to attend!"And the wedding expenses didn’t stop there. The couple even set up a fund where guests could contribute money toward gifts like cooking classes, dance lessons, or trips.
"It says ‘gifts are not needed but welcome,’" the Redditor explained. "But who would pay for a gift when they already have to pay to be there?"
Factor in travel, themed outfits, and shoes, and the total cost of attending this wedding was sky-high.
“They Have Money!”
What made things even worse? The friend insisted that the bride wasn’t struggling financially.
"I KNOW they have money," they wrote. "Her ultimate goal is to be rich, and I can’t help but wonder if this whole thing is just another way to fund that dream."After 12 years of friendship, they admitted it was sad to be skipping the wedding—but they refused to pay the fee.
The Internet Reacts
Reddit users were brutal in their responses, calling the bride “tacky” and “greedy.”
"Hahaha, what the f**—how can someone be this cheap?"* one person wrote. "I hope this trend never reaches my country!"
"Ask her if you can skip the fee by bringing your own dinner and promising not to look at the decorations. That should be fair, right?" another joked.
"I would just send my congratulations and move on. She’s out of her mind," a third added.Would You Pay to Attend a Wedding?
The idea of pay-to-attend weddings is stirring up a debate online. Some say it’s practical, especially with rising costs. Others think it’s outrageous—if you can’t afford the wedding, scale it down instead of charging guests.
What do you think? Would you ever pay just to attend someone’s wedding, or is this a step too far? Let us know in the comments!
