AITA for spending more on my sisters wedding than I did on my own, And telling my wife I am not going to make her, “pay us back”?

Picture a lavish wedding, flowers blooming and guests cheering, funded by a brother’s generosity to give his sister her dream day. For this man, shelling out $51,000 for his sister’s wedding—$19,000 more than his own—was a heartfelt gift, greenlit by his wife. But when she later demands his sister or mom repay them, accusing him of being a “momma’s boy” for refusing, their marriage hits a sour note. Is he disloyal, or just honoring a promise?

This Reddit tale ties the knot on family loyalty, financial choices, and spousal expectations. With the wife flipping from supportive to resentful, and the husband standing firm, their clash is more than monetary—it’s personal. Reddit’s dishing out varied takes, so let’s cut into this wedding-sized drama with a slice of wit.

‘AITA for spending more on my sisters wedding than I did on my own, And telling my wife I am not going to make her, “pay us back”?’

I spent 51k on their wedding a couple months back. And 32k on ours, 7 years ago. Upon my mom and her request, I paid for my sisters wedding. They couldn’t afford a big one. And saving for a wedding was obviously lower on the list. So she asked me. I obliged. It was important to her.

I talked it over with my wife, basically to run it by her. And she said that was sweet of me, and gave me the green light. Well she recently told me I needed to work out how they’d be, “paying us back”. But that was never apart of the plan. She says that we spent more on it than we did our own.

And people don’t get handouts in life. I don’t understand her position. And I’m not going to ask my sister to pay me back. She also suggested my mother pitch in to pay us back. When I told her that was stupid, since it wasn’t my moms wedding.

And she only asked for my sister. She said I’m a, “mommas boy, who needs to get his priorities straight”. Seems harsh. But whatever. Still not making anyone pay me back. People said to mention that we paid off her parents mortgage, and that she’s a stay at home spouse. Idc that she stays home though.

She doesn’t need to work. I specifically said: “is it okay if I pay for my sisters wedding”. Those were the exact words I used.. My wife’s brother is inheriting the house. Not her. My wife is not a gold digger. We’ve been together since we were 15.

She was with me when we were homeless, when I was a thousand miles away serving in the army, when I had no income, when I had a mental breakdown, she’s been with me at my lowest point. And we’re stuck with each other. So I’ll have to pass on the “divorce her” comments.

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Spending big on a sister’s wedding is a generous act, but this man’s wife’s sudden demand for repayment reveals a communication gap. Her initial approval gave him the go-ahead, yet her retroactive conditions suggest unspoken expectations. Marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman notes, “Clear agreements on shared finances prevent resentment”. Her “momma’s boy” jab hints at deeper insecurities, possibly tied to their past sacrifices, like paying off her parents’ mortgage.

This reflects broader marital tensions over family giving. A 2022 study in Journal of Marriage and Family found 48% of couples disagree on financial support for extended family, especially when one spouse doesn’t work. The wife’s stay-at-home role may amplify her sensitivity to large expenditures.

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Dr. Chapman’s advice emphasizes transparency. The husband could acknowledge her concerns, clarifying the gift was a one-time act, not a pattern favoring his family. A joint budget review might rebuild trust. For now, he could propose a calm discussion to align on future family spending.

Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:

Reddit’s tossing out opinions like confetti, from applause for the husband’s generosity to side-eyes at the wife’s payback push. Here’s the unfiltered scoop, fresh from the wedding drama dancefloor:

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[Reddit User] - YTA for spending $51,000 on a damn wedding

CakeisaDie - INFO. Because you discussed it with her in advance but apparently did not make it clear that this was a GIFT and not a LOAN. If you made it clear to her that it was a GIFT, you are NTA

ashthecash311 - Hold on. You are married and she doesn’t work. You guys talked and helped pay HER parents mortgage. And she’s not ok with you using money to pay for your sisters wedding AFTER she said it was ok originally? NTA in the slightest.

leslielaughs - ESH.. 1. You do for not communicating clearly w/your wife.. 2. Your wife does for not communicating clearly w/you.. 3. Your sister does for throwing away an exorbitant amount of money on a single day.. 4. Your mother does for not imparting common sense onto either of her children.

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kuechly9273 - INFO: Do you need another sister? 🙋🏼‍♀️

kakbgs - Info: When speaking with your wife about contributing money for the wedding, did you set a limit on how much? Are you financially secure? Without anymore info, this seems like a communication problem between you

and your wife about what the expectations were about that money. For many people, that’s a lot of money to spend on something outside your immediate home/marriage/ lifestyle.. Saw all the updates. NTA

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metalbyrdie - I don't understand why OP is getting down voted. Most of the reasons given are because they think $50k on a wedding is crazy. So what if it is? If he has the money to spare and his wife okayed it, then go for it. The fact that she now thinks his family should pay it back makes her the butthead IMO. And why are his comments being down voted? The ones I've read aren't mean or hateful.

sandwichsandwich69 - NTA but only because can I have some money please?. for real though - what you doing to have that much disposable income!

Dye_Harder - NTA. Well she recently told me I needed to work out how they’d be, “paying us back”. 'You can't retro-actively put stipulations on gifts. If you wanted that to happen you should have brought it up before.'

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sodog2000x - Am I the only one thinking NTA !??? Coming from a females perspective. You asked her about it and got her ok? You didn’t do it without her permission. The only reason she’s upset is because she found out you payed more for the sisters wedding than you did your own?? Nah she needs to take the L on this one.

These takes are as lively as a reception, but do they miss the nuance of a couple’s shared history? Can they toast to a resolution, or is this rift a dealbreaker?

This isn’t just about wedding costs—it’s about trust, loyalty, and promises kept. The husband’s gift to his sister was a labor of love, but his wife’s demand for repayment feels like a breach of their bond. Can they renegotiate their harmony, or will resentment crash the party? Have you ever clashed with a partner over family financial favors? Share your stories—how do you balance generosity and marital unity?

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