I will agree that in some cultures, money is expected. I never saw a dollar dance until my heavily Polish girlfriend got married. And another friend, with strong Italian heritage, got a lot of cash.

Down South, sometimes couples do a "Dollar Dance," where people put $1 into, traditionally, a boot to dance with the bride or groom. It's supposed to be spending money for the honeymoon. Usually, it's pretty fun, and my brother and sister-in-law did it at their wedding. We thought about doing it but decided not to.…

Yes, I can think of nothing more fun than a public ritual where lots of adults pin cash all over the body of a young woman. No problematic implications there whatsoever.

What you're describing is an Italian American tradition, not a Northeastern one. My step-sister talked about having one of those purses made and my parents plotzed, it was considered so outrageously rude in our different, Northeastern ethnic culture. (As in, my mom called and begged her not to do, she was nearly in…

See, this is where we disagree- to my eyes (and virtually everyone else posting here) you have a lot of anger at others not following your cultural norms which are not in fact those of most people. Yes, it is traditional to give a gift for the couple to help set up their home. For most people, it is not traditional to…

So what you're saying is that you are a member a specific group which has specific practices which are not those of the larger culture and you expect everyone to follow your practices at all weddings?

Poor guests or rich, it doesn't matter. No one, even Warren Buffett should have demands put on them to even bring a gift at all, let alone one of a certain value. It doesn't have anything to do with what guests can and cannot afford. Your GUEST is just that, a guest, invited by you to your celebration.

No, she's not. It has never been, even in the North East, an equivalent exchange. The social elite of either coast would be aghast at the idea of asking, let alone requiring, their guests to pay for attending their weddings. Do you actually think Chelsea Clinton demanded or received cash gifts equivalent to the price…

People need to plan the wedding/honeymoon they can afford with no expectations of gifts to cover the cost. That way, poor guests aren't made to feel like crap, and genuine gratitude can be felt for whatever presents are received.

This is like the extreme logical extension of the dreaded birthday dinner where the "guests" are supposed to finance the "host's" extravagance.

I think it's been brought up on here before that these stories might stem from regional/ethnic/religious cultural differences, but I do know that here in the midwest a house-warming style gift (crockpot, silver picture frame, etc.) is expected, but not required. Sometimes close, wealthier, older relatives will give a…

ok, the "cancer can't stop this wedding" one seems at least somewhat more legit.

BTW: there is a way to stop this madness, and it's derived from the idea of civil disobedience. That is, if you don't like the "laws" imposed by Bridezilla, well, just don't go, or go on your own terms. You feel opressed/humiliated/offended by the invented rule of SheWhoMustBeObeyed Barbie??? Well, just don't go to…

I have seen several stories like this on Jezebel and I swear I do not know where these people come from. I have been to/been IN/known people who had many many weddings. I have never heard a single person...not even from the most shallow people I know, people from work, no one has ever been so crass as to even imply…

It is a cultural tradition to pass around a bag during some peoples' reception and everyone put in some cash. But, they are not obligated to do so. It is not the tradition of the wedding that the guests cover their portion. That's weird and icky.

Oh, shit...they are!

If they've been friends for a long time, her secrets might not have anything to do with this pregnancy or marriage at all. Maybe Brandy shot a man in El Paso and Gretchen helped her hide the body. Maybe she was making rent a few years ago by working as an escort, or dealing drugs. Perhaps she was a stripper. Maybe her…

Oh ho ho, I can one up this one. Gather round friends, for I have a story to share with you! My cousin did not invite any of the extended family to her wedding, which is fine as it is her wedding and she can invite/not invite anyone she damn well pleases. It was very hurtful to my mom because she helped raise her, we…

My guess was that she was pregnant before the engagement, and that's the only reason they got married. Yours is much more juicy.

I have so much respect for the way Gretchen handled this. Breaking up with a friend (even a friend who is treating you like dog poop on the bottom of your brand new Chloe boots) is a hard thing to do. Good for her.