Money and family are a volatile mix, especially when the word “wedding” is involved. One father is finding himself at the center of a viral internet debate after he drew a line in the sand regarding his daughter’s $200,000 wedding demands.
The Background: A Hard-Earned Nest Egg
Mark, a 54-year-old software engineer from Chicago, has always been a “provider.” After a decade of working overtime and living modestly, he managed to build a significant college and life fund for his only daughter, 24-year-old “Lily.”
“I told Lily years ago that I had set aside $100,000 for her,” Mark shared on a popular forum. “I told her she could use it for a wedding, a down payment on a house, or to start a business. I thought that was incredibly generous.”
The “Dream” Request
Lily, who recently got engaged to her boyfriend of three years, initially seemed thrilled. However, the excitement quickly turned to tension when she presented her father with a “vision board” for the big day.
The plan? A four-day buyout of a luxury villa in Lake Como, Italy.
Between the first-class flights for the immediate family, the designer gown, the Michelin-star catering, and the “aesthetic” floral arrangements required for the venue, the total bill came to a staggering $200,000.
The Confrontation
When Mark saw the spreadsheet, he didn’t just flinch—he declined.
“I told her I was sticking to the $100,000 limit,” Mark explained. “I told her she could have a beautiful wedding for that price, or she could pay the difference herself. I even suggested she use the money for a house, as the market is so difficult right now.”
Lily’s reaction was not what he expected. She accused him of “ruining her one special day” and claimed that since he had the money in his retirement accounts, he was “choosing his bank balance over her happiness.”
“She told me that all her friends are having high-end weddings and that she’d be embarrassed to have ‘just a normal’ ceremony,” Mark wrote. “She said I’m being a jerk because I can afford it, but I’m just being ‘cheap.'”
The Fallout
Since the refusal, Lily has gone “low contact” with her father. Her mother (Mark’s ex-wife) is also pressuring him to “just pay it” to keep the peace. Meanwhile, Mark is standing his ground, arguing that $200,000 for a single weekend is “fiscally irresponsible” and sets a bad precedent for her future.
Is He The Jerk?
The internet is divided, though many are siding with the dad.
- The Pro-Dad Camp: Argues that $100,000 is already a life-changing gift and that Lily is acting entitled.
- The Pro-Bride Camp: Suggests that if a parent has the means, they should support their child’s vision, especially if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.
What do you think? Is Mark being a “frugal jerk,” or is Lily’s request out of touch with reality?
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