The path to wedding bliss is usually painted with love and joy—but for many parents, the soaring costs behind the scenes can quickly turn celebration into stress. This was the case for a New York dad who recently took to Reddit’s AITA (Am I The A*****e) forum to share his heated dilemma over his daughter’s extravagant wedding dreams.
Initially, he had made a heartfelt promise to finance his daughter’s big day—a common gesture of support as children step into married life. But that promise was soon put to the test when he learned just how grand her vision really was. Far from a simple local affair, the daughter dreamed of an opulent destination wedding set against the breathtaking backdrop of New Zealand, inviting between 100 and 200 guests. And the price tag? A jaw-dropping $200,000.
Now, this father found himself torn. On one hand, he wanted to honor his daughter’s wishes and create lasting memories. On the other, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was nothing more than “burning money” on a flashy show—one that might even alienate family members. “My wife thinks we should just go for it since we can afford it,” he wrote, “but I see it as pointless extravagance.” The fallout? His daughter stopped talking to him, and even his wife sided with their daughter, leaving him isolated and conflicted.
Redditors weighed in with strong opinions. One bluntly stated, “If she can’t pay for a destination wedding herself, she shouldn’t be having one. Flights, hotels, and extra costs add up fast. Who’s paying for those? If she’s throwing a tantrum and ignoring you, maybe she doesn’t deserve it.” Another commenter suggested a balanced solution: set a firm budget the father is comfortable with and let the couple cover anything beyond that. “Tell her: this is what we’re giving you—plan within that. If you want to splurge, it’s on you and your fiancé.”
So far, the dad has yet to update, only sharing that his daughter continues to call him a jerk and refuses to speak to him. Talk about family drama.
This story is a powerful reminder of the tightrope parents walk between generosity and practicality—especially when it comes to dreams that come with a six-figure price tag.
