Based on True Events: a story in 60 seconds

"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please” --Mark Twain

On October 18, 2024, a popular tabloid published an article about a wedding gone wrong. And if this were the end of it, well, the whole thing wouldn’t be much worth discussing. However, as the details of that fateful evening came to light, the story itself took on a life of its own, proving how difficult it can be to trust what you read and read what you trust…

The incident was reported as follows: A bride and her husband-to-be wanted to host a specially curated dinner for their wedding guests. They went above and beyond with the preparations to ensure every dish of the five-course meal would be exceptional, spending nearly $20,000 of their savings on a feast intended to be an edible embodiment of their love.

But the couple made one terrible oversight. On their wedding invitation, they intentionally failed to mention that the menu they had so diligently prepared was vegan. In most instances, this shouldn’t have been a problem; however, the perception of deception rubbed everyone the wrong way. When the news broke that the entire menu would consist of only plant-based foods—no meat, eggs, seafood, or dairy—there was a clear and audible murmur of discontent amongst the crowd.

Still, the guests politely picked at their first course of raw heirloom radish, smoked tofu spread, and toast points. But sometime between the second salad course and the odorous plate of truffle risotto, a commotion broke out in the main dining hall. The bride’s brother and a handful of his friends stormed into the room, parading around nearly two dozen pizza boxes and chanting: “No more rabbit food; no more rabbit food.”

At first, people were slow to get up, but after that initial domino fell, the hungry crowd quickly descended upon the steaming boxes of bread and cheese. The bride was beside herself. After vehemently chastising her brother in front of everyone, she ran sobbing into her bridal suite and locked the door behind her. A fight ensued between the groom and the bride’s brother. Punches were thrown, drinks spilled, and centerpieces smashed—along with the hopes of a magical evening…

Now, when the story hit the news streams and subsequent syndications, readers were quick to leave judgment in the comments. Many chastised the bride and groom, calling them arrogant, pompous, and out-of-touch; others defended the newlyweds, arguing that it was their wedding and they could do as they wished.

But the real bombshell dropped a few hours later.

The paper responsible for the original publication abruptly redacted the article and released an apology. Why? Apparently, there hadn’t been a five-course vegan banquet, sobbing bride, or familial fistfight; there hadn’t even been a wedding. The story, which had accumulated millions of views, was a total fabrication, a ruse generated by AI software and sold to an unsuspecting journalist desperate for a hit. Subsequently, the story was taken down, and the paper’s readership issued a dull apology, but this faulty wedding disaster will live on in theoretical infamy for all to judge forever.

***This story really is based on true events. An article about a wedding disaster was posted online, but in the comments, someone pointed out that the whole thing was made up. If that’s true or not, I’m still unsure. Please like and restack if you enjoyed reading. Thanks***