When my daughter got engaged, she immediately asked me to pay for her entire wedding. I told her no—I had already helped her buy a house. Instead of understanding, she laughed and called me cheap, even saying I’d “die before spending all my money.” Her words hurt more than I expected, so I quietly stuck to my decision.

I also have a stepdaughter who has never demanded anything from me and always treats me with respect. After that conversation, I decided the money I had set aside for the wedding would be better used supporting someone who actually appreciated it. So I moved it into my stepdaughter’s tuition fund. She didn’t ask—I simply felt good helping her.

When my daughter found out, she exploded. She accused me of choosing my stepdaughter over her, ruining her wedding, and “destroying her life.” Later, her fiancé called in a panic, saying she was threatening to cancel the wedding since they couldn’t afford the lavish one she wanted. He asked me to reconsider, but I refused.

I told him what I told her: if they can’t afford a big wedding, they should plan a smaller one or wait and save. I’m her father, not her personal bank. Love doesn’t mean funding disrespect. And I won’t pay for a wedding just because she expects me to, especially when she treats me like I owe her everything.