One rule, one viral post

A bride-to-be posted her wedding invitation on Reddit asking every guest to show up completely scent free. Thousands of strangers piled in with opinions.

Perfume can mimic a stroke

She said fragrance is her biggest migraine trigger and her symptoms get severe enough to look like a stroke. The bridal party has the same allergies.

“For medical reasons, our wedding will be a fragrance free event”

The internet escalated fast

Commenters wanted guests denied entry at the door, laundry detergent added to the ban, and a designated "trusted sniffer" working the entrance.

“I'd rather smell body odour than fragrances. At least it's natural”

Others said just elope

Critics called the add-ons unworkable. Nobody could explain how you enforce a scent rule, and detergent struck most people as several miles past the line.

“Not sure how they will enforce this, and laundry detergent smells are taking it several miles too far”

An etiquette expert sides with the bride

Jo Hayes told news.com.au the request was reasonable and politely phrased. The sniff test was the unreasonable part, not the ask itself.

“It doesn't sound demanding or dogmatic, and it's phrased clearly and respectfully”

Where the real line sits

Hayes suggests quietly pulling a forgetful guest aside to wash it off. Compare that to the bride who told bridesmaids not to gain weight and ignored every vegetarian on the menu.

“I don't know if I should laugh or cry”