The reception fell silent as a woman’s voice suddenly came through the venue’s speakers. “Congratulations—your honeymoon has been fully paid for!”

At first, I thought it was another surprise from our guests. Then the hotel manager hurried into the room looking confused. He explained that someone had just tried to pay for an expensive honeymoon package using a stack of cash and gift cards taken from our wedding envelopes.

The woman standing beside the sound booth went pale.

It was my husband’s cousin, Rachel. She had offered to “secure” the gift box during the reception, claiming the hotel room was safer than leaving it near the entrance. Instead, she had torn it open, removed everything valuable, and immediately tried to book herself a luxury holiday through the hotel’s travel desk.

She never realised the employee processing the reservation recognised several cards bearing our names and wedding date. Suspicious, the employee contacted the manager, who deliberately announced the booking over the speakers to see who reacted.

Rachel attempted to leave, but security stopped her before she reached the exit. Most of the cash and gift cards were recovered from her handbag, while several opened envelopes were found inside her coat.

The police handled the rest.

Our wedding had briefly become a crime scene, but the gifts were eventually returned. Rachel’s greed exposed her before she could escape, all because she could not resist spending the stolen money while the celebration was still happening.