Brother Gives More Expensive Gift to Sister Who Had A 'Proper Wedding,' Other Sister Who Eloped Accuses Him of Favoritism, Sparking Heated Family Debate

Wedding gift culture varies drastically across cultures. In some traditions, weddings are essentially paid for by the guests. Guests are expected to bring checks or cash gifts for the bride and groom to cover the cost of the event. In other regions, it is traditional for the family of the bride or groom to pay for the entire wedding, and guests are just expected to come and enjoy without bringing anything but their joyous spirits. In the US, wedding registries are popular, allowing generous guests to gift the couple exactly what they want and need to start their new life together. In most places, it is typically not expected of people to give weddings gifts if they do not actually attend the wedding, though.

 In our story, today, a man causes familial friction by gifting his eloped sister a lesser marital gift than the one he gave his sister who had a traditional wedding. Our protagonist begs the question, "Am I in the wrong?" Internet commenters were split and heated in their opinions. Many people experienced with eloping admitted that they didn't receive or expect gifts when they secretly tied the knot, siblings felt offended on behalf of the slighted sister, and pragmatic netizens argued about the wedding etiquette. Read every possible take below.