Planning a wedding is extremely stressful - as you have to organise everything from your reception, catering and entertainment to your outfits, seating charts and flower arrangements. So, when it comes time to say your vows, not only is it a special moment for couples but it provides them with an opportunity to see the labour of all their hard work.
However, one bride was left outraged after one of her wedding guests asked to skip their Michelin-star meal to instead grab a quick Big Mac from McDonald's. Defending her actions, the wedding guest explained how she was told she wouldn't have to pay a penny to attend the wedding so didn't bring enough to cover the pricey meal.
She said: "My colleague invited me to her wedding. I was super excited and happy for her. Just in case, I asked her if there was any guest fees, she said 'No, you don't need to pay me anything'.
"On the day itself, everything went well until it the reception (dinner time). To my shock, I was presented with a wedding menu that had prices on it. For example: Steak - $50. Everything was ridiculously expensive, including the vegetarian options.
"At first, I wanted to question her because well, she lied to me that I didn't have to pay for anything. But it was her wedding and I didn't want to spoil her day by embarrassing her in front of everyone.
"However, the only other option was to simply not eat, as I didn't bring enough money for both a meal and a ride back. But this was completely unfavourable as I had skipped my lunch to 'save space' for the wedding meal and was pretty hungry."
When debating what to do, she remembered seeing a McDonald's about five minutes away from her hotel - so decided to ask the bride whether she could sneak out for a snack.
"I didn't bring enough money for the reception meal. I said that I'd be back in time for the gift ceremony and cake," she added.
"I thought she'd agree, but to my horror - she got really upset. She said that she put in so much effort to get this 'Michelin-star restaurant service' yet I still wasn't happy. That I was trying to bring her down by saying that I'd rather eat McDonald's.
"Alarmed, I said that I didn't mean it that way - I just didn't have the cash for it. She then scoffed, saying 'Who's fault is that?'."
Despite trying to hold in her anger to not make a scene, she ended up blurting out: "You were the one who lied that I didn't need to pay anything!"
"Getting angry as well, she replied: 'What I meant was there is no attendance fee! You literally assumed that you'd get a free five-course dinner. Wow, you're cheaper than I thought!'
"With a glare, she asked me to leave her wedding. I did, struck dumb and rather hurt.... and on my way home, I grabbed a Big Mac."
Feeling bad for how everything went down, she has taken to Reddit to ask users whether she's in the wrong - and how she can try to salvage the situation.
One user said: "I have never heard of a wedding where the guests are expected to pay for dinner. Especially without any notice.
"The bride's response is stupid too - attendance fees are not a thing at weddings. You asked and she said there was no cost. The misunderstanding is on her."
Another user added: "I think you handled it wrong. You shouldn't have asked her if it was okay to leave and get McDonald's. You should have done it and come back.
"The bride/your colleague does sound like a bit of a jerk and she shouldn't have humiliated you that way.
"I've never been to a wedding where I had to pay for my own food, and I've been to some cheap ass weddings and some expensive weddings.
"Next time, you'll know to be prepared. Also did you buy her a gift? Because if you didn't and showed up to get a free meal, then you're a bit of an a***hole."
A third user said: "I have never heard of a wedding having a menu where a guest had to pay for the dinner. The bride and groom are wrong for not having that put on the invitations for everyone to know ahead of time."
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
