A US-based Kenyan nurse, Nafula Sharleen, has sparked conversation online after recounting an unexpected experience at a wedding in the United States where guests were required to pay for their meals.
Nafula, who is originally from Kenya, shared that she was invited by her best friend’s colleague to a high-end wedding held at a luxury hotel.
Expecting the usual free wedding meals common in Kenya, she was instead met with a different reality.
“I was invited by my mlami best friend to her friend’s wedding. The menu for the wedding was fire. It included rib eye steaks, filet mignon, flank, wagyu etc. There was chicken on the menu, but who is looking at chicken with all the meat choices at my disposal,” she said.
According to her account, she ordered a ribeye steak served with sautéed vegetables, broccoli, and lemon water, describing the food as excellent and well-prepared.
“The food was slapping. The servers were alert and everything you needed was supplied in a timely manner. That should have been my red flag,” she added.
However, she noted that several details should have raised suspicion. The venue required guests to be badge-checked upon entry, and service was unusually efficient, with servers quickly clearing tables immediately after meals.
“When we were done eating, the tables were cleared and again, the servers wasted no time to remove dishes,” she said.
The shock came later when she received a bill amounting to $225, with only 10% reportedly covered by the bride. Nafula expressed disbelief at the arrangement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, tell me why I get a bill of $225 with only 10% covered by the bride? Who is out here paying for food at weddings?” she wondered.
She further admitted that she was not fully aware of the couple getting married, as her attendance was through an invitation from a friend. The experience, she said, introduced her to what she termed “rich people weddings” in the US.
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know who was getting married at this point. Nani analipisha mluhya chakula kwa harusi?” she said.
Nafula noted that although the arrangement was mentioned in fine print on the invitation, it was easy to miss, adding that most guests focus on date, venue, and dress code.
She also revealed that gifts at the wedding were strictly monetary or voucher-based, unlike Kenyan weddings where guests often bring household items.
Following the incident, she said she now avoids attending such weddings unless it is clearly stated that food is free, joking that “in the US, you pay for everything.”