Turns out Tay “didn’t make any money at all”. “Because everyone thought my wedding was fully sponsored, and that was not the case, as we paid for everything ourselves,” she revealed.
Guo Liang endeavoured to make a joke about how she might’ve received a “S$2 red packet”, but to Zhu and Seow’s surprise, Tay admitted that she did, in fact, receive a S$20 red packet.
Ah Jie was cool about it, though. “I’m okay with it lah, if I invite you, you’re [there] to give me your blessings,” she said.
She then added: “But that’s not how it works now, and the meaning of giving [the couple] a red packet has changed.”
“You want to recoup [the amount you spend],” offered Zhu, who got a nod of agreement from Tay.
“I seldom attend weddings, so when I do, I always ask for the ‘market rate’ for red packets,” said Guo Liang. “When I attended a wedding towards the end of last year, I asked others for the [market rate] again, and things have changed. They asked me where the wedding was going to be held, and they [took into account] the rating of the hotel and the food served there,” recounted the host.
Tay added that the amount to give in a red packet also depends on whether the couple choose to have a “lunch, dinner or high tea ceremony”.
“You’re basically paying for your meal,” concurred the host. He continued: “I think this is reflective of how people these days are very practical. [They’re] not looking to earn money, but [they] don’t see the need to pay extra to invite people as they ‘don’t owe them a meal’. But giving a red packet is [supposed to] represent the celebration of a happy occasion, right?”
As the group delved into the topic of dream weddings and proposals, Seow mentioned that she would prefer if her partner sought the approval of her family first.
“I think the best way [to propose] would be to do so in a public setting, where the crowd is not aware of what is happening. But they will start to clap for you when they see [the proposal],” announced Guo Liang.
To his surprise, both women present cringed at his idea, with Tay saying that he’s “melodramatic”. “I will say you’re crazy and walk away,” added Ah Jie.
“I thought all ladies would wish to have a third-party present when being proposed to,” protested Guo Liang. “I thought it would be a proud moment for the girl, because there’s a guy there on one knee wanting to marry you. Wouldn’t it be better if there were more people watching? I don’t believe there are that many proposals that get rejected.”
