'AITA for making sacrifices to be rich and not pay for my brother's wedding?'

"AITA for refusing to pay for my brother's lavish wedding even though I can afford it?"

Flaky-Purchase103 says:

I (32F) have worked really hard for everything I have. Growing up, my parents treated my younger brother, Jake (29M), like he was a prince, while I was expected to be the responsible one.

While I was working part-time jobs from a young age, trying to save money for college and paying for my own stuff, Jake basically had everything handed to him on a silver platter. My parents paid for all his hobbies, his car, and even helped him with rent well into his 20s. Me? I had to figure everything out on my own.

I don’t really resent that, or at least I try not to, because honestly, the hard work paid off. I’m now in a good place financially. I have a stable job, a home I own, and savings that make me feel secure.

Meanwhile, Jake’s only just now starting to get his life together. He’s always been a bit... laid back when it comes to working hard. He got used to our parents bailing him out whenever things went wrong.

Now Jake’s getting married, and of course, he wants a massive wedding. I’m talking like a destination wedding, expensive venue, designer clothes for the bride, the works. It’s pretty clear our parents can't afford this kind of thing anymore, especially after all the money they've spent on him over the years. But instead of being realistic, they’re trying to make it happen for him... by asking me to pay.

They sat me down a few weeks ago and started with the whole “you’re doing so well, and Jake really deserves this” speech. They basically want me to pay for most of his dream wedding because “you can afford it.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I told them flat out that no, I wasn’t going to pay for Jake’s wedding. If Jake wants a big fancy wedding, then he needs to figure out how to afford it, not rely on me like he’s always relied on them.

My parents didn’t take it well at all. They started guilting me, saying that "family helps family" and that Jake’s wedding should be special. Jake’s fiancée also has these high expectations now, and apparently, it wouldn’t be fair to her to have a wedding that isn’t what she dreamed of.

The pressure from everyone is unreal. My brother hasn’t said much directly, but he's been making passive-aggressive comments about how “some people in the family” could make this wedding happen but are choosing not to.

It’s frustrating because while I could technically afford to help, why should I? I worked hard for everything I have. I saved, budgeted, and made sacrifices. Jake has never had to do any of that, and now I’m supposed to bankroll this huge wedding? I didn’t even have a big wedding myself!

Now I’m being painted as the selfish one in the family for not helping. My parents are practically begging, and even friends of mine are saying things like, “Well, if you can afford it, why not just help them out?” But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not my responsibility. Jake and his fiancée should plan a wedding within their means, not expect me to be their backup plan.

So, AITA for refusing to pay for my brother’s wedding, even though I could technically afford it? I feel like I’m being unfairly judged here, but maybe I’m missing something?

Here are the top comments:

baddreammoonbeam888 says:

NTA. No one is obligated to pay for their family just because. No exceptions.

Odd_Owl_5045 says:

NTA. It wasn’t your wedding, he’s a big boy if he wants to get married and play house let him pay the bills.

KMage63 says:

NTA. What’s next, you need to buy him the house he can’t afford either?

Turmeric_Ping says:

Family helps family when family is in need. Your brother doesn't need this, and he certainly doesn't deserve this. You're right to refuse and to resent being asked.

What do you think?