A Reddit user has shared how his long-time friendship with a bride ended after she criticized his wedding gift, calling him “cheap” for contributing only \$80 to her honeymoon fund.
Posting in the “Wedding Shaming” subreddit, the man explained that the wedding, held in another state, felt like a destination wedding for him. Despite the costs—including a new suit, transportation, and three nights in a hotel—he was eager to attend because the bride was his closest friend. At the time, he was also dealing with a \$1,900 dental bill, leaving his budget tight.
The first sign of tension came when the guest unknowingly booked a hotel different from the one suggested on the bride’s wedding website. He said he chose a more affordable option, unaware of the bride’s preference. This led to a “rude text” from the bride expressing her disappointment.
However, the biggest fallout came a year later when the bride commented on the amount he had gifted. The man recalled mentioning another upcoming wedding to the bride, who responded, “Well, don’t be cheap and give them only \$80.”
That comment shocked him. “Not only did it make me feel like a horrible person, I was also angry that she remembered my exact donation amount over a year later,” he wrote. “From that point on, I lost a ton of respect for her, and our relationship was never the same.”
He explained that he felt his efforts to attend the wedding should have been enough. “I figured that everything I did to attend this wedding would all be enough for her.”
Reddit users widely supported the guest, calling the bride “greedy” and “selfish.” Many said the cost of travel and attendance should have counted as a gift. One user suggested the bride’s recommended hotel may have offered her a financial kickback. Another added, “Your presence was your gift.”
