Share

'I feel so violated': Groom's parents open wedding gifts while couple is on honeymoon

accreditation
Illustration by Getty Images.
Illustration by Getty Images.
Tony Anderson
  • A couple returned from their honeymoon only to find that the groom's parents had opened their gifts.
  • The cards and boxes were thrown away too.
  • Now, the couple can't return any of the gifts and can't send personalised thank you notes to guests.

Wedding excitement doesn't end when the bride tosses the bouquet and the couple jets off on honeymoon.

Opening wedding gifts after their return is a delightful part of the process. In fact, in some parts of the world, people observe gift-opening etiquettes.

However, one couple returned from their honeymoon to find that the groom's parents had taken the liberty of opening their gifts while they were away.

READ MORE | 'The entitlement is legendary': Bride-to-be shares her cousin's awkward wedding request

The frustrated bride told Reddit that she believed her in-laws had overstepped the boundary.

"She and my father-in-law opened every single wedding present my husband and I received, threw every box away and proceeded to reorganise the entire kitchen. I feel so violated while also feeling so overwhelmed by the task of trying to get things back to how they were."

She recalled that her mother-in-law called her the day after their wedding, as they were leaving for their honeymoon, and asked them how she could be of assistance. She and her husband responded that they could replace the old plates and bowls and swap the old toaster.

READ MORE | Dad refuses to pay for daughter’s fourth wedding - ‘I will help her with the next one’

"Now, I can't return a single thing. I can't find anything in my kitchen. I used love to cook and would combat my lack of appetite by getting excited about trying a new recipe or perfecting a new dish. Now, I don't even want to be in my kitchen because I can't find anything and the process of looking usually leads to finding out they moved or threw away something important to me," the bride said.

She added that she had tried to let it go, but the thought of having to write a hundred "thank you" notes made the situation even more painful for her.

She also feels like her safe space has been taken away from her and she doesn't know how to fix it.

READ MORE | 'I did nothing wrong': Mom invites entire family to son's destination wedding without his knowledge

Would you like to share your special day? Tell us your story here.


Users stepped into the comments section to advise the woman.

One commenter said: "Make sure she (the mother-in-law) has no access, no keys, change locks or codes if needed. Then talk to your husband about consequences for her. Serious ones. It's his job, communicate both of your boundaries were broken."

Another suggested that she should expose her mother-in-law: "Call her out in the 'thank you' notes. Tell people you can't properly thank them for their individual gifts they gave because she opened everything and tossed the cards and boxes. Now everyone knows and it might be enough of a consequence."

Source: Reddit


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE