The happiest day of one bride's life was brought to a miserable end when she opened one of her wedding gifts only to find it wasn't as good as she'd expected.
Laura (who hasn't given her last name) had hoped for an envelope full of cash, but what she received was a food hamper complete with marshmallows and sweets.
*plays world's smallest violin*
But rather than react like any other disappointed gift-receiver -- sulking for a bit, but ultimately moving on because you're an adult, not a five-year-old -- Laura decided to confront her guest via text message and demanded to have the receipt.
“I want to thank you for coming to the wedding Friday," she texted. “I’m not sure if it’s the first wedding you have been to, but for your next wedding… people give envelopes. I lost out on $200 covering you and your date's plate. … and got fluffy whip and sour patch kids in return. Just a heads-up for the future.”
The guest Kathy Mason, who attended the wedding with her boyfriend, responded and, according to the Toronto Star, the discussion quickly descended into a "heated" email exchange.
Here are the juicy bits:
Kathy: “… to ask for a receipt is unfathomable. In fact it was incredibly disrespectful. It was the rudest gesture I have encountered, or even heard of.”
Laura: “Weddings are to make money for your future … not to pay for peoples meals. Do more research. People haven’t gave gifts since like 50 years ago! You ate steak, chicken, booze, and a beautiful venue.”
Kathy: “It’s obvious you have the etiquette of a twig, I couldn’t care less of what you think about the gift you received, 'normal' people would welcome anything given, you wanna have a party, you pay for it, DON’T expect me to.”
Laura: “You should have been cut from the list.”
Toilet Paper Wedding Dresses
Laura suggested that Kathy ask “normal functioning people” whether or not the hamper was an acceptable gift.
So she got in touch with The Spectator newspaper and posted on the Burlington Mamas Facebook group. Within 24 hours her post had had more than 200 responses.
The Facebook verdict? The gift wasn't great, but the bride's reaction was rude.
HuffPost UK Lifestyle disagree. A gift is a gift, it's the thought that counts. The hamper is completely acceptable.