My Cousin Humiliated Me, Then Begged for Money — He Had No Idea What Was Coming

A reader just sent us an incredible story about a “professionals only” bachelor party that went hilariously wrong. He was only 22 and excluded from the celebration, yet still expected to contribute $250 to the honeymoon fund. What happened next? Let’s just say it involves confetti, chaos, and a rehearsal dinner he’ll never forget.

The letter.

Hey NISE,

I’m 22 and just started my first real job, so when my cousin told me his bachelor party was going to be “professionals only” (meaning guys who already have established careers), I didn’t take it personally. Cool, his party, his rules.

Then two weeks later, he sends me a link to his “groom fund” — one of those crowdfunding things where guests pitch in for his honeymoon in Bali. The suggested contribution? $250 per persona. When I said I couldn’t swing that, he hit me with: “Come on, we’re family, bro.”

Wait. So I’m “too entry-level” to celebrate with him, but I’m “family” enough to bankroll his tropical vacation? That’s when it clicked. If he’s treating me like a broke kid when it suits him, he’s getting a gift straight from the perspective of one.

The next day, I went full craft store chaos. I grabbed construction paper, kiddie stickers, foam letters, and enough biodegradable confetti to decorate a parade float. I made him a homemade “Congratulations on Your Big Boy Wedding!” card with crayon drawings of stick-figure him and his fiancée, complete with glitter gel pens and puffy heart stickers.

By the time I finished, my apartment looked like a kindergarten classroom had exploded.

I stuffed everything into an oversized envelope — the kind you’d use for a poster — and hand-delivered it to his place the night before the wedding. If I’m “too junior” for the bachelor party, he’s getting a gift straight from his “little cousin”. Trust me, this one’s gonna stick with him way longer than $250 in his Venmo ever would.

Later, I heard from my aunt what happened next.

Apparently, when my cousin opened the envelope at his rehearsal dinner (in front of all the groomsmen), the confetti didn’t just sprinkle out — it erupted. Like a party popper on steroids. It covered the dinner table, landed in the wine glasses, stuck to the cake, and somehow made its way into the groom’s hair gel.

The best man was picking sparkles out of his suit jacket. The bride’s mom was vacuuming at midnight. My cousin? He just stood there, covered in foam hearts and glitter, while everyone lost it.

So, NISE, tell me — did I go too far? Because honestly, I think he had it coming.

Best,
— Marcus

What do we think?

Hi Marcus, thanks for sharing your story! Look, expecting a $250 contribution from someone just starting their career — especially after excluding them from the celebration — was a pretty bold move on your cousin’s part. You had every right to set boundaries and give what you could actually afford (even if that gift was... creatively chaotic).

That said, your response? Chef’s kiss. Sometimes family dynamics call for a little humor and a lot of glitter. You made your point without being cruel, and honestly, that confetti bomb will probably be one of the most talked-about moments of his wedding weekend. Just remember: stand your ground, protect your wallet, and never let anyone guilt you into going broke for their party.

He had had enough of the disrespect. When his in-laws tried to shame him for her finances, he decided to teach them a lesson they wouldn’t forget. Click to read the dramatic story and decide: Did he go too far, or was it justice?