Guest stunned to learn how much it’ll cost to attend destination wedding

A wedding guest was left fuming after receiving an invitation to what they called a “sham second wedding” that would cost them more than $4000 to attend.

The guest and original poster (OP), Reddit user TinyOrchidPo, vented their frustration on r/weddingshaming, explaining that their significant other’s (SO) brother and his wife got married last year at a courthouse wedding.

“It was cute, all of the family on both sides attended and we had a huge dinner afterward,” the OP wrote. “Honestly that should have been the end of it.”

Unfortunately, the newlyweds had other ideas.

“They’re now doing a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Cancun where 90% of their guests must attend,” the OP explained.

“The cost of the resort for my SO and I for the suggested blocked dates is $4,000!!!!!! The minimum stay is 3 nights and it still adds up to $1,700!!!! Not to mention the flights.

“On the invitation at the bottom (“grab your passports!”), it says you may wish to put multiple guests in a room to save money…well only two adults are allowed in a room and it’s saving no one money anyway.

“I think this is ABSURD to expect this of people. Let alone to suggest sharing rooms? They also included a wedding registry on their invitation. And the bridal shower. And the bachelor party. This is all AFTER THEY’RE ALREADY MARRIED.”

“Make this your freakin’ honeymoon, don’t put the cost on the guests,” they continued. “I think their room is free if they get the minimum number of guests. What sucks is my SO is also his brother’s best man and feels obligated to go.

“I feel like this sham second wedding is greedy and bulls*** and I don’t want to go. My SO’s mom is freaking out at us for not wanting to go. I have no idea what to do and it’s stressing me out!!! I’m so angry at them for putting us in this position and I resent them so much.”

Redditors overwhelmingly sided with the OP, with many agreeing that destination weddings should always be optional. One wrote, “If MIL is upset they’re not going, she can pay for their trip,” while another described the couple’s plan as “a shakedown, not an invitation”.

“This is just an expensive party”

Some pointed out that many resorts offer free wedding packages if a certain number of guests book rooms, raising suspicions about the couple’s true motives.

“The couple doesn’t care about celebrating with their guests—they just want a free honeymoon,” one Redditor claimed.

Others encouraged the OP to stand firm. “No is a complete sentence,” one user reminded her. Another added, “You already attended their actual wedding. This is just an expensive party.”

The Destination Wedding Cost Debate

The financial burden of destination weddings has long been a source of contention. According to a report from The Knot, couples often assume guests will appreciate the experience of a destination wedding, but they may overlook how much it costs to attend.

While couples may save on venue expenses by choosing all-inclusive resorts, guests should never be expected to foot the bill for the wedding itself.

In an article on destination weddings from Martha Stewart Weddings, couples are urged to be mindful of financial constraints. The article recommends giving guests plenty of notice and several price-friendly lodging options to avoid putting them in an uncomfortable position.

Newsweek has contacted TinyOrchidPo for comment via Reddit.

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