“If You Don’t Like It, We’ll Give It to Someone Else”: Wealthy Relatives Storm Out of Wedding and Take Back Their Gift

We all have relatives. If your family is as large as mine, youre bound to have a few well-off relations who tend to stir up a bit of envy at gatherings. Funny enough, everyone seems a bit distant with themuntil theres a special occasion, that is. Birthdays, weddings, you name it; people cant wait to send those glossy invitations, hoping the wealthy relatives show up bearing a generous gift.

There are certainly a few prosperous branches on my family tree. Five years ago, I attended the wedding of my third cousins grandson in Bath. The guest list was long, and sure enough, the well-off cousins were invited from the brides side. Theyre not exactly close relativesmore like relatives once or twice removed you only see at big family dos.

Most people, whether they admit it or not, think, Lets invite the wealthy aunt and uncle; perhaps well get something grand. Especially when its a wedding! The festivities were buzzing, the house bursting with guests, and the bride and groom beaming with joy. The wealthy relationsa married couplewere late, arriving just as the gifts were being handed out.

The woman next to me, a distant aunt from Bristol, whispered calmly, Just watch, youll see what happens next. I bet anything the grooms mum will be chuffed to bits or terribly disappointed by their gift. And the newlyweds might feel the same.

I was puzzled. Why should it matter so much? I asked, Isnt it the thought that counts?

Soon enough, it was time for the well-heeled relatives to present their gift to the bride and groom. They handed their envelope to the master of ceremonies, who opened it with great ceremony, and suddenly, an unusual silence descended on the room. I must admit, my curiosity got the better of mewas it tickets for a Caribbean cruise, the keys to a new Mini, or a stack of crisp fifty-pound notes?

The MC leaned over and quietly told me the contents. Instantly, the grooms mother counted the notes and turned a rather shocked, questioning look at the wealthy couple.

Is that all? she asked. You were invited to the wedding specially. Youve a Jaguar out front and your own driver, and yet you bring a gift like thatno better than if you were scraping by.

The couple said nothing. They simply retrieved their envelope, handed it back, and replied, If our gift isnt to your liking, feel free to pass it to someone else. With that, they turned on their heels and calmly left the wedding.

Youd have had to be thereit was priceless. The entire room burst into laughter, myself included.

Later, I discovered that these well-off relatives are only ever included in such celebrations for their supposed generosity. As for the amount in the envelope? It was enough to cover a weeks holiday in Cornwall, with a decent B&B to boota perfectly reasonable gift, especially coming from such distant kin. Yet, for some reason, the grooms mother saw it as something fit only for the less fortunate.

Reflecting on it now, I realise its all too easy to get caught up in expectations and lose sight of the real purposebeing together and sharing in each others happiness. In the end, what mattered most wasnt the size of the gift, but the spirit in which it was (or wasnt) received.