A WOMAN was left shocked after a bride and groom asked her for cash instead of a wedding gift.

The horrified guest said the couple had used a “tacky” poem to request financial presents – despite the fact she was only invited to the evening event.

Taking to Mumsnet, the woman, posting under the username Rriot, revealed she couldn’t afford to give the couple any money and asked if it was unreasonable to bring a small gift instead.

Many of the site users slammed the bride and groom for their “ridiculous” cash request, and some went as far as to tell her to not go to the wedding at all.

Rriot shared: “We have been invited to a wedding. Evening invite only. The invitation included a tacky poem asking for cash gifts. (Guests invited to the whole day didn't get a poem).

“The bottom line is, we can't really afford to give cash. Generally I'd put my feelings about this type of request aside and give what was asked for but I think the very small amount we can afford to give will look mean.

“My alternatives are to give a cheap but nice gift, or donate to the charity that I know is close to the family's heart.

“I don't want to give a wrapped present if we will be the only ones who do so, not sure how they will feel about a donation to charity. WWYD [What would you do?]”

Many people said the request was entirely out of order.

One wrote: “They are the type of family who cry you down and make things up if anything isn't suiting them.

“Easy then. Politely decline and save yourselves some money.”

ETIQUETTE EXPERT WILLIAM HANSON SHARES WHAT GUESTS SHOULD BRING TO WEDDINGS

Speaking to the Sun Online, leading etiquette expert William Hanson revealed the dos and don'ts of the big day…

"The bridal party should never ask for money or contributions to their honeymoon.

"Reducing guests to being cash cows is always the height of bad taste and nothing alienates people more than the subject of money.

"Those getting married should start a gift registry with a department store and only proffer information about the location of the registry when (and if) their guests ask.

"Guests are free to go ‘off list’ too.

"Evening guests are really ‘rent a crowd’ and they do not have to bring a gift if they do not want to.

"Clearly, they are not overly close to the bride and groom – hence not being invited to the ceremony or the wedding breakfast.  A card with heartfelt congratulations should suffice."

Another said: “Look, they are basically treating you like a cash cow. It's very rude to request money from guests, esp evening only guests, who should just be taking a token present imo.”

Some people reasoned that she should go to the wedding but bring a small, affordable present.

One mum said: “I would give an inexpensive but nice gift. There is never anything wrong with that.

“The fact that they 'requested cash' is irrelevant. They don't get to do that, unless you ask what they want; it's a gift, so it's at the giver's discretion.”

And another said: “Evening invite = nice card only, or reasonably decent bottle of wine if I'm feeling generous. How can people demand cash from guests who they don't consider important enough to attend the main event?”

Meanwhile one suggested: “I don't give gifts for an evening do. You're just there to make up numbers after all. A card will do.

“If they're drama types I would avoid it completely.”

And a few said it would be polite for her to take a small sum of cash.

A lady wrote: "Can you afford £20? That's what we got off a few of our evening guests and I wasn't offended at all."

MOST READ IN FABULOUS

So what do would you do in that situation?

Previously a woman sparked a debate over ‘how much’ money is enough to give as a wedding gift… and no one can agree.

If you are planning to tie the knot and have doubts about the rules, you can find all the answers in Debrett's Wedding Handbook.

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