This is one of my favorite wedding stories. Every time I read it, I picture the paperboy from "Better Off Dead" screaming "I want my two dollars!"
Just this last Saturday my husband and I attended a wedding for his boss, a man who owns several restaurants in the XXXXXX area and is extremely well-to-do. He brags about his vacation houses and condos around the world. We do not have a lot of money (my DH makes $11 after 6 years, $11 in the area at a restaurant that has an average per-person tab of over $150, but he stays because we need the medical benefits for my disability, and I'm embarrassed to say that I accept the disability checks I qualify for because he doesn't make enough to support us with me being unable to work), but we bought the nicest gift we could afford. The gift was sent beforehand though, not brought. The ceremony was beautiful, the food was incredible, but before the best man gave his speech, the bride and groom had an announcement. And I quote this from a copy of the wedding video that was sent to each guest as a "keepsake":
Groom: Beloved guests, we would like to take this time to thank you for attending our wedding.
*clapping*
Bride: But we need to bring something important to attention.
G: We have spent a lot of money on this affair for all of you. So "Linda" and I feel that the least you all could have done was give us gifts worthy of such an event.
*jaws dropping, uncomfortable silence*
G: This reception alone is running us about $200 for each of you.
B: To make it even, we need gifts that are that much each. But to be a gift and not just help us break even, we should have gotten something at least $400 from each guest.
G: So "Bubba" (best man) will now read a list of who still owes us a better gift or cash, and for how much. Please raise your hands when he says your name. The ushers will bring you envelopes for you to make a monetary deposit in cash or checks. If you wish to bring us additional gifts, please inform them of this when they bring your card.
It was about this time we left. But on the video they actually did this. And we weren't the only guests to leave before the list. People were so embarrassed! Did he really expect $800 from us as a couple? Does he not realize weddings aren't for the gifts?
FauxPasofYear0205-03
