Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges

My great niece is getting married in October.

I live in New York City, and she lives in Indiana.

I said I would go, although I only met her once.

A bridge winks as she rides a bicycle.

Now she set up a GoFundMe page, asking for help with the wedding instead of a gift.

Do you think I should contribute?

Ive never heard of such a request.

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-C.

Dear C.,

Ive never heard of using GoFundMe to pay for a wedding.

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Still, crowdfunding a wedding seems especially tacky.

The couple is basically throwing themselves a party, then asking the guests to pay their own admission.

But the fact that this request is tasteless is on your great niece, not you.

You asked me whether you should contribute.

No need to scour her registry for a piece of houseware that will wind up collecting dust.

Since youve only met her once, surely you werent planning on a highly personal gift.

People are marrying later in life and often live together before they wed.

Couples often already have all the household items that make for traditional wedding gifts.

One thing Im curious about is what happens if guests arent quite as generous as the couple hoped.

Relying on a GoFundMe for a wedding you cant afford could be a disaster.

But if you find this request truly outrageous, youre under no obligation to contribute.

Hopefully, the couple still created a registry for guests who prefer to give a physical gift.

Dont feel pressure to make a large contribution if you choose to send cash.

Presumably, youll also be paying for travel expenses.

A modest gift is entirely appropriate, considering this is a distant relative youve only met once.

Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.

Send your tricky money questions to[email protected]or chat with her inThe Penny Hoarder Community.