Couple's bizarre Rs 1,30,000 wedding meal auction to fund honeymoon sparks ‘clever or cringe' debate online

Economic Times

6 days ago

Synopsis
A bride and groom's quirky idea of auctioning the first wedding dinner plate for their honeymoon expenses has ignited the internet. Shared on social media platform X, the event saw mixed reactions—some praising the playful twist, while others slammed it for poor wedding etiquette. The plate eventually sold for $1,500, turning heads and raising eyebrows alike.
iStock A couple has sparked widespread debate by auctioning off the first plate of food at their wedding to fund their honeymoon in Alaska. The viral post on X described how a guest paid $1,500 to be served first. (Image: iStock) Weddings are often remembered for their vows, the first dance, and the shared joy of families coming together. But one couple found themselves at the centre of an online firestorm after introducing an unexpected twist to their wedding feast — auctioning off the first plate of dinner. According to a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), shared by the account @turbothad, the newlyweds kicked off their reception meal by announcing a live auction. 'The bride and groom just sat everyone down and said 'Alright folks, we know everyone's hungry… So we're auctioning off the first plate of dinner. Whoever buys it gets their table served first. Proceeds go to our Alaska fishing trip honeymoon.' Plate sold for $1500. Brilliant,' the post read. And just like that, a standard reception turned into a spectacle. What started as a moment of surprise turned into a lively bidding war, culminating in one enthusiastic guest reportedly shelling out $1,500 (Rs. 1,30,000 approx) for the honour of eating first.
In a follow-up post, the user praised the couple's strategy, writing: 'Selling to a room full of emotional people drinking on empty stomachs who love you… Genius.' While many at the actual wedding appeared to find the idea hilarious and memorable, the rest of the internet wasn't quite on board with the approach. Critics were quick to question the ethics of asking guests — many of whom had already spent time and money attending the event — to pay extra for timely access to food. One user commented, 'This is absurd and manipulative. Everyone has spent a lot of money and time to join you at your wedding. Making them pay extra to be served food in a timely manner is terrible.' Another chimed in with mock-legal advice: 'Bid $10,000 and never pay. A contract entered under duress is unenforceable.' Others saw the humour in it. One person recalled, 'Went to a wedding once where dessert was a rock-paper-scissors tournament. Things got violent. Weddings are wild these days.' Another guest shared a more philanthropic approach to wedding gifts, stating, 'We didn't really want presents, so we directed people to charities. This is a fabulously fun idea too.' Weddings are evolving. As traditions blur with personal touches, some couples are choosing to turn the event into a creative expression of their values — or, in this case, their sense of humour. While some see the dinner auction as a clever and lighthearted fundraising method, others feel it crosses the line of hospitality and respect.