Some of the advice given in last Sunday's articles ("Wedding bells can spell big banquet bills" and "How much should you put in your red packet?") on the monetary amount of wedding gifts is highly inappropriate.

It shows how some couples and wedding planners regard the event - as a money-generating affair.

The red packets for a wedding are a gift of blessing from the invited guests to the couple and their families.

Guests should not be expected to match the cost of lavish dinners thrown by the wedding couple. It is not a business transaction.

If the couple and their families cannot afford the expensive bills, wedding planners should counsel their clients to manage their expectations.

It is sad that Chinese wedding customs have become distorted.

Tay Hung Yong