AITA for refusing to go to my cousins wedding because she’s making guests pay to enter?
Picture a sunny Sunday, the air buzzing with wedding bells and the promise of love—until a jaw-dropping announcement lands like a poorly timed toast. A 19-year-old student, already pinching pennies, stares at their phone in disbelief: their cousin’s wedding comes with a $50 cover charge. Not for gifts, not for drinks, but just to walk through the door. It’s a bold move that turns a family celebration into a ticketed spectacle, leaving the student torn between budget and family ties.
The audacity of this bride’s plan has sparked a firestorm of opinions, with the student’s refusal to pay stirring up accusations of being “cheap” and “rude.” As the family feud unfolds, Reddit’s weighing in on whether this is a clever cost-saving hack or a cringe-worthy breach of etiquette. Grab a seat (no fee required) and dive into this wild wedding saga that’s got everyone talking.
‘AITA for refusing to go to my cousins wedding because she’s making guests pay to enter?’
When a wedding invitation comes with a price tag, it’s bound to raise eyebrows. Here’s the original Reddit post that set the internet ablaze with opinions:
Charging guests to attend a wedding? That’s a plot twist even M. Night Shyamalan couldn’t dream up. For a 19-year-old student, the cousin’s $50 entry fee turned a joyful invite into a financial dilemma. The bride’s reasoning—to recoup her wedding costs—clashes with the student’s budget-conscious reality, creating a family rift. While the bride sees it as a practical move, the student sees a breach of hospitality, and the family’s split down the middle.
This fiasco taps into a broader issue: the rising cost of weddings and evolving etiquette. A 2023 study by The Knot found the average U.S. wedding costs $30,000, pushing couples to get creative (Source). But charging guests? That’s a step too far for most. Event planner Amy Nichols says, “Weddings are about shared joy, not transactions. Asking guests to pay risks alienating loved ones” (Source).
Nichols’ perspective highlights the bride’s misstep: treating guests like customers cheapens the celebration. The student’s refusal, though bold, reflects a stand for fairness. To mend fences, the bride could waive the fee for close family, while the student might consider a heartfelt talk to clear the air.
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
Reddit’s serving up a buffet of reactions to this pay-to-play wedding, and the comments are spicier than the open bar that probably isn’t included. Here’s what the community had to say:
![[Reddit User] − NTA- who the f**k charges people to attend their wedding? Edit: It’s the point if she’s charging people money to come to her wedding (now I’m just making an assumption) and on top of that, still having to buy a gift and such.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/237123cmt-01.png)
![[Reddit User] − This is sooooo tacky! I am having so much second hand embarrassment...I’ve never heard of anyone doing this. I would be mortified if a family member did this.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/237123cmt-13.png)
These are the hot takes from Reddit, but do they capture the full flavor of this wedding drama, or is there more to this story than meets the eye?
This cousin’s wedding turned from a celebration of love into a masterclass in tacky etiquette, leaving a young student caught between family loyalty and a $50 price tag. While the bride’s bold move aimed to balance her budget, it cost her goodwill. Maybe a smaller venue or a potluck vibe could’ve kept the love flowing without the entry fee. Have you ever faced a wedding invite that felt more like a bill? What would you do in this student’s shoes?
