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The original was posted on /r/amitheasshole by /u/Logical_Cake_2549 on 2024-01-23 21:21:49+00:00.
Hello r/AITA,
I'm still processing the events from my wedding last weekend and could use some judgment. I decided to have a lavish wedding, something out of a fairytale, and I wanted everything to be perfect. To offset some costs, I asked all the guests to contribute a 'meal fee' of $200 per person. I thought it was a reasonable request given the exquisite menu and venue.
My sister, Emma, has always struggled financially. She's a single mother with three kids and has had a tough year with unexpected expenses. When she received the invitation and saw the meal fee, she called me, almost in tears. She explained that she couldn't afford the $800 for her and her kids but really wanted to attend and celebrate my day.
I was adamant about the rule and told her that if she couldn't pay the meal fee, they could attend the ceremony but would have to sit out during the reception dinner. She was hurt but agreed, not wanting to miss my wedding.
The wedding day came, and everything was as extravagant as I'd imagined. However, when the reception dinner started, I saw my sister and her kids sitting at a separate table, watching everyone eat. Some guests noticed and whispered, and my sister looked more and more uncomfortable as the night went on. She left early with her kids.
The next day, my family was furious with me. They said I humiliated my sister and her kids and that my 'meal fee' was outrageous, especially considering her situation. I feel like they're all overreacting. It was my day, and I just wanted everything to be perfect without compromising on the lavishness.
So, AITA for enforcing the meal fee at my wedding?