Amidst the excitement of wedding preparations, a clash of generational perspectives unfolded within one family, raising questions about tradition, cultural norms, and financial expectations.
The original poster (OP), a 57-year-old father, found himself entangled in a budget disagreement with his son (23) and his son’s fiancée, Peggy (22).
Unequal Expenditure
The journey began when OP’s son announced his engagement to Peggy, and by their cultural traditions, it was expected that both fathers would contribute financially to the wedding.
Peggy’s father proposed a budget of $20,000, with each father contributing $10,000.
While the OP could afford the amount, he was taken aback by what he perceived as an extravagant figure. He offered to contribute $5,000 and suggested Peggy’s father could decide on his contribution.
Peggy’s father matched the OP’s $5,000, making the total $10,000, which the son graciously accepted.
However, tensions arose when the son expressed that the wedding expenses would exceed $10,000, and he and Peggy were prepared to cover the remaining costs themselves.
The OP, having planned his wedding 40 years ago for about $7,000, was convinced that $10,000 was more than enough in today’s market. He couldn’t understand how expenses like food could amount to $2,500, leading to a misunderstanding between father and son.
In a heartfelt discussion, the son explained that prices for wedding services have surged over the years, far surpassing what the OP had experienced at his wedding.
The son even thanked the OP for the initial $5,000 contribution while expressing an understanding that he and Peggy would need to shoulder some expenses.
Despite this mature approach, the OP felt hurt and went on to suggest cost-cutting measures such as ordering pizzas or sub sandwiches for the wedding. The exchange between father and son escalated, with the OP accusing the young couple of being spoiled and expecting only the best for their wedding.
OP’s wife suggests being more flexible and understanding, and the OP’s friends seem to support his initial view. With the argument escalating, OP turned to social media to gain clarity and affirmation of his feelings.
Users Call Out OP’s Wedding Budget Expectations
This story didn’t sit well with social media users, who weighed in on the situation.
A commenter named Allaboutbird admonished the OP, asserting that the couple’s wedding budget was their business and that prices have indeed increased over the years.
“He thanked you for the money and is planning on paying for the rest. How they spend their money isn’t your business.”
Another user, poeadam pointed out that inflation should be considered when comparing expenses from decades ago to today.
“$7,000 in 1983 is about $24.5k now, so by your logic you should be giving him $12k, not $5k or $10k.”
The user argued that, by this measure, the OP should have contributed more than $5,000.
Defiant_McPiper suggested that the OP might be trying to negotiate a lower financial commitment for himself, which prompted the accusation of the couple being spoiled.
“The fact that his son said he’s okay to pay the difference and OP still called him spoiled is what leads me to believe this.”
Special_Respond7372 provided context, stating that the average wedding cost nowadays is around $25,000, depending on the location.
The user commended the couple for handling the situation gracefully and expressed that the OP’s accusation of being spoiled was unjustified.
The prevailing sentiment from the users was that the son had handled the situation maturely, and that OP’s reaction seemed out of touch with modern wedding realities.
The Verdict
Based on the original story and the views of the commenters, the consensus is that OP is wrong in this situation.
Commenters highlighted that inflation and changing economic realities have significantly impacted wedding expenses over the years. They praised the son’s mature response, while criticizing OP for being unreasonable and dismissive of the couple’s financial decisions.
The situation exemplifies the need for open communication and understanding between family members during such important celebrations.
As society evolves, so do our traditions and financial expectations, and it is crucial to find a common ground that respects both the past and the present.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments. Do you think the OP from this social media post was wrong?
Featured Image Credit: IgorVetushko /Depositphotos.com.
This article was originally published on Ash & Pri.
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