‘Embarrassing’: Woman shames wedding guests for simple gift mistake

“Are you guys crazy?” she asked in her now-deleted video.

Weddings have always been expensive and in Australia the average cost in 2024 is anywhere from $36,000 to $51,00, depending on location and budget. 

And in a cost of living crisis, that's a lot of money to spend on just one day.

In a new debate taking place online around the rising cost of a modern wedding, one woman believes that giving a monetary gift of less than $100 to a bride and groom is actually “crazy”.

The woman who is not married and goes by the name EmpathEyes on TikTok, explained that if you can’t afford to not only cover the cost of the food or ’plate’ and add more on top, then you should just stay at home.

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Image: iStock

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"Are you guys crazy?!"

“I just saw that some people are giving [the bride and groom] $50 to $100…are you guys crazy?” she said in a since deleted post.

“You don’t go to a wedding to just pay for your plate.

“You go to the wedding to pay for your plate, and give them something. Let’s say you just want to cover the plate. Where the f%$k are plates $50 or $100 or even $150 at this point? That is insane.” 

She went on to say that it’s “embarrassing” to give anything less than $200 as a wedding gift.

“I want to gift them without taking from them. You’re not only attending a wedding to show support, you’re also attending an event. There’s entertainment, music, drinks, food... it’s wedding etiquette to cover your plate and then some.” 

The viral post and opinion, shared by YourTango, has drawn many thousands of comments and the opinion is split.

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"This is wild"

Many people branded the woman as ‘entitled’ saying that is a ludicrous way to approach an event that celebrates love.

“This is wild,” one person commented.

“If I’m inviting you it’s because you are important to me, a gift or no gift. Since when are guests covering wedding expenses?!” 

“As someone who is getting married in four days, I don’t feel this way,” writes a similarly- minded bride-to-be.

“I only registered because I had aunts who kept asking and as far as monetary gifts, I see it as totally generous and not expected.”

RELATED: Bride slams guests for 'cheap' gifts

"We don't expect gifts"

Others seemed to think this was a cultural difference that perhaps only takes place in the US.

“I’m confused,” wrote an Afghani TikTok user.

“In my culture we invite people to come to the wedding to celebrate and don’t expect any gifts.”

On the opposing end of the spectrum was this person who agreed that guests should be as generous as possible.

“Honestly this is true though,” they wrote.

“$150 per person should be the absolute minimum in my opinion. Stay home if you can't at least cover your plate lol.”

While others felt that if you can’t afford to have a wedding, or are reliant on cash gifts post celebration, maybe save your dollars.

“If you can’t cover your guests' food costs, get married at city hall,” wrote one pragmatic user.

Another agreed: “I am not paying admission to watch someone get married. Have the wedding you can afford!”

“Is this really how some people think,” said another fired up TikTok user.

“Why don’t you just elope then. Wedding culture is actually insane.”

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"It felt like a waste of money"

The unmarried original poster said she didn’t have a wedding because of the money involved.

“It felt like a waste of money. I decided to buy a house instead,” she concluded. 

Originally published as ‘Embarrassing’: Woman shames wedding guests for simple gift mistake