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For us all to miss family wedding

593 replies

apothecarist · 23/10/2024 07:51

One of DH's siblings is getting married overseas next summer. The wedding is where the sibling's partner grew up and still has family, so understandable why they chose it.

It is quite fiddly to get to and from, however - looks like we'd arrive at the venue after midnight, having got up in the very early hours, and the wedding would then be that day. Wouldn't be the end of the world for just the two of us, but we have a toddler, and have just found out I'm pregnant and due a few weeks before the wedding.

DH decided told his sibling (apologetically) that it unfortunately wouldn't work with toddler and so we wouldn't be coming. Sibling seemed to take it ok at the time but hasn't spoken to us since. DH's parents on the other hand have said we're letting his sibling down by not making it work with toddler, who should definitely come.

We weren't planning on telling anyone about the pregnancy for a little while. I had complications last time and the scrutiny got a bit intense. But in the circumstances would it be better to come clean? And presumably if we do that they would accept us all staying at home and leave it there?

OP posts:
ThomasPatrickKeatingsDegas · 23/10/2024 18:50

Exactly, even if OP’s reason is I don’t want to spend that amount of money on travel to a wedding that would be a legitimate excuse. No one should be strong arming other people into spending £££ to attend their wedding. It’s so so rude.

ThomasPatrickKeatingsDegas · 23/10/2024 18:48

There has been a massive increase in overseas weddings and we have had to forgo our own family holidays because the budget is eaten up. Now that DH’s uni and school friends are all married, I’ve said that it, no more overseas weddings for anyone else. (Looks like some of the first marriages that ended up in divorced are about to get married to wife no. 2. Even if I don’t go, it still impacts our family budget and his annual leave allowance.

I actually encouraged my husband to go on a trip to see an exhibition for 3 days away when I was 8 weeks post section and it was an absolute nightmare, my infected incision came open for the second time because I overdoing it looking after the baby. Nightmare. And then his flight was cancelled so I had an extra 24 hours of hell.

Those saying he should go really are nuts. I was a first time mother and thought I’d have recovered enough by then for him to go, but I had no idea.

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 18:25

And even so if it is going to
cost someone thousands of pounds to watch you marry it is absolutely ridiculous to be upset that they don’t think you are worth the cost

deluded fools comes to mind 🤣🤣🤣

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 18:22

@Fluufer

NO THE BRIDE IS NOT FROM THERE

Gloriia · 23/10/2024 18:16

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 18:11

If that's where the bride is from, then it's going to be a tricky journey for half the guests whichever country the wedding is in.
Lots of places have no direct flights at all. It's really not that big of a deal.

It isnt a big deal but nor is declining if the once a week flight is highly inconvenient and rather restrictive. That is without throwing in a toddler, a post op dm and a newborn. Not to mention the cost. I doubt Ryanair or Jet2 are options.

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 18:11

Gloriia · 23/10/2024 18:07

It is where she grew up. It doesn't sound like it is where they currently live.

Surely, surely the fact that the op has said it is fiddly to get to would have registered when they were thinking of venues?

Fine to choose a remote, tricky place to get to but they must accept with good place when guests decline.

If that's where the bride is from, then it's going to be a tricky journey for half the guests whichever country the wedding is in.
Lots of places have no direct flights at all. It's really not that big of a deal.

Thursdaygirl · 23/10/2024 18:09

Well wherever it is, it’s a pain to get to, surely the OP won’t be the only guest scratching her head

Gloriia · 23/10/2024 18:07

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 17:56

It is the brides home. I assume they chose this place so her nearest and dearest could attend.

It is where she grew up. It doesn't sound like it is where they currently live.

Surely, surely the fact that the op has said it is fiddly to get to would have registered when they were thinking of venues?

Fine to choose a remote, tricky place to get to but they must accept with good place when guests decline.

TENSsion · 23/10/2024 18:06

kiraric · 23/10/2024 16:51

I am sure she could manage for a few days.

I did - and it wasn't the best time of my life but I would happily do it for my DH to not miss a sibling's wedding

Yuck

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 18:03

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 18:00

It doesn't matter why they've chosen it if the logistics just don't work for the OP and her family.

Thanks. I hadn't picked that up the first 30 thousand times you've said it.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 18:00

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 17:56

It is the brides home. I assume they chose this place so her nearest and dearest could attend.

It doesn't matter why they've chosen it if the logistics just don't work for the OP and her family.

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 17:56

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 17:16

To those of you who are planning to get married abroad

IT Is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK

to expect families to spend their annual holiday budget on traveling to your wedding

IF YOU WANT TO guarantee your nearest and dearest attendance then get married at home!!!

It is the brides home. I assume they chose this place so her nearest and dearest could attend.

Thursdaygirl · 23/10/2024 17:43

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 17:16

To those of you who are planning to get married abroad

IT Is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK

to expect families to spend their annual holiday budget on traveling to your wedding

IF YOU WANT TO guarantee your nearest and dearest attendance then get married at home!!!

Absolutely. I hope this thread, and the many other similar ones, give you an insight into the trauma that’s caused by an overseas wedding invitation.

i realise the destination referred to in this post is significant to the bride, but to the OP and her family it’s pretty inaccessible (one flight per week) even without the pregnancy

TomatoSandwiches · 23/10/2024 17:38

I don't think you should have to tell anyone about the pregnancy until you feel confident about it op, especially if DHs sibling is immature enough to spill it to their parents if you divulged to avoid upset.

Their own previous behaviour has caused your reluctance to be completely open, this is the price.

I also don't think anyone, sibling or otherwise gets to sulk about people not attending a wedding that is so far away.
I suspect that a majority of invitees from the UK will end up not going so you won't be the only ones.

It is also lovely to hear of a husband and father choosing to put his family first during pregnancy and birth, it's his main priority to look after you at that precious time.

Gloriia · 23/10/2024 17:35

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 17:16

To those of you who are planning to get married abroad

IT Is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK

to expect families to spend their annual holiday budget on traveling to your wedding

IF YOU WANT TO guarantee your nearest and dearest attendance then get married at home!!!

I absolutely agree. Unless of course all travel and accommodation are paid for Grin.

CantBelieveNaive · 23/10/2024 17:22

Edenmum2 · 23/10/2024 08:04

Get DH to take toddler, you might be relieved for some peace when time comes

Agree this is a great solution to keep his family happy and give you some space xx

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 17:17

I mean essentially you are asking people to chip out thousands of pounds!

Quitelikeit · 23/10/2024 17:16

To those of you who are planning to get married abroad

IT Is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK

to expect families to spend their annual holiday budget on traveling to your wedding

IF YOU WANT TO guarantee your nearest and dearest attendance then get married at home!!!

midgetastic · 23/10/2024 17:11

Given the likely c section and how close to that the event is , I would be upset if dh went

Fluufer · 23/10/2024 16:56

kiraric · 23/10/2024 16:53

The OP posted in order to get opinions on what others think - I am entitled to mine.

The OP has detailed her life story and inner most feelings the way some people are talking. Dear God.
I do wonder though, the mumsnetter who can never let their DH out of their sight, they must be the same ones who wonder why they don't have any friends and family...

kiraric · 23/10/2024 16:53

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 16:52

Good for you but neither the OP nor her husband want to!

The OP posted in order to get opinions on what others think - I am entitled to mine.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 16:52

kiraric · 23/10/2024 16:51

I am sure she could manage for a few days.

I did - and it wasn't the best time of my life but I would happily do it for my DH to not miss a sibling's wedding

Good for you but neither the OP nor her husband want to!

kiraric · 23/10/2024 16:51

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 16:41

Yeah, that's right around the time she'll probably be counting down the minutes until he gets home from work so she can catch a break.

I am sure she could manage for a few days.

I did - and it wasn't the best time of my life but I would happily do it for my DH to not miss a sibling's wedding

purplebeansprouts · 23/10/2024 16:44

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 16:41

Yeah, that's right around the time she'll probably be counting down the minutes until he gets home from work so she can catch a break.

Oh that gives me horrible flash backs!

purplebeansprouts · 23/10/2024 16:43

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 23/10/2024 15:20

The OP has already explained why she's not keen to announce early. Perhaps if the family had been less intrusive during her last pregnancy or if the couple could be trusted not to spread the news around, she would feel differently. She shouldn't feel bullied into sharing her pregnancy news earlier than she had planned in order to justify not going to a wedding in a difficult to reach location abroad. They've already said they're not going, finding out the "real" reason why in a couple of months' time as opposed to right now changes nothing in terms of organisation for the couple.

I completely agree

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