Internet discussions point out how common this dynamic has become . Other parents on Reddit emphasized the unfairness, suggesting that wedding expenses should come from savings, home equity, or loans—not a child’s education . Their words reminded me that investing in our daughter’s future mattered more than any single event. It gave me confidence to stand my ground.

In the end, I stood firm: the college fund was off-limits. If they wanted to throw a lavish wedding, they would have to find funding elsewhere. Our daughter’s future deserves protection—and some lessons are worth standing your ground for. It was a hard decision, but the right one for our family.