Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DDs being left out of the wedding

518 replies

Shambrigade · 11/02/2025 20:24

FIL is getting married this spring to his mistress (only mentioned as background and as she loves to cause rifts)
We have been civil to her throughout their relationship despite the issues she has caused as we wanted to be the better people and allow our children a relationship with their grandpa.
We don’t support their marriage based on how they became a couple, but DH wants a relationship with his dad. If he doesn’t accept her then his dad will go NC. This upset DH as he was very close to him before so he keeps quiet to keep the peace despite his mum’s feelings, they assume we are happy for them as we keep our opinions to ourselves.
OW has been friendly enough, but slowly in the past year she has been segregating our children. DH has a DD from a previous relationship and we have 2 together. OW has sent DSD an invitation exclaiming she will be her bridesmaid. She’s 9 and very excited. However the younger two haven’t been asked and are aware OW has left them out. They’re almost 7 - twins. They have seen DSD bridesmaid dress in photos and are upset they won’t have the same ‘princess’ dress. I’m livid that she’s leaving out 2 children and that FIL is allowing it.
AIBU to refuse to go to the wedding? DH will still want to go but I don’t think it’s fair for my DDs to be subjected to favouritism. FIL states it’s up to OW who her bridesmaids are and he won’t get involved.

This is the first time I’ve let it out after holding it in to keep the peace, but I’m sick of this woman causing divides. I’ve been friendly to her and never expressed my disgust, but I’ve had enough. I wish DH would tell them all to F off tbh and defend his children instead of wanting an easy life.
WWYD from here on out?

OP posts:
MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:36

Porcuporpoise · 12/02/2025 13:29

Sorry, are all three not invited to the wedding? I'm pretty sure they were.

You know what i meant, why twist my words? I shall rephrase. I'm not sure you can compare a playdate to being BRIDESMAID at grandparents wedding 🙄

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 13:32

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:30

It sounds exhausting. When does it end I wonder! 19yo DD at Uni can’t go to the soft play so 7yo can’t either

If we're going to make it about trips etc, it would be like me taking 3 kids to Disneyland and then only paying for one of them to meet the Princesses, the others should be fine and accept that though because they still get to go to Disneyland right?

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:31

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 13:29

These are all very different situations. Of course with several kids they are going to have different school trips, do different clubs and have different opportunities but this is a family wedding, it's not going to happen again (unless fil divorces and marries again) and they are all the same relation.

And they are all invited! Just one has a special role

Just like they might in a school nativity or a role in a drama club or spot on a sports team

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:30

Porcuporpoise · 12/02/2025 13:22

Yes heaven forfend that anything special happens to the eldest child if her sisters can't join in. Parties, playdates, school trips, new clothes - all at the same time or not at all. What a way to live!

It sounds exhausting. When does it end I wonder! 19yo DD at Uni can’t go to the soft play so 7yo can’t either

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 13:29

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:22

7 (or 6 nearly 7) is actually the perfect age to start teaching them that older sister will get to do things they don't

She'll be off to Senior School soon. Going on trips they won't be invited on but might have wanted to go to (exchange, ski trip, residential, theme parks...) If they are in Guides or Scouts or something at 10 she'll move to a more "senior" level who will get different opportunities etc...

It works the other way too. Senior schools don't tend to go to Panto, for example, so she might miss out on that whilst her sisters go with primary school.

These are all very different situations. Of course with several kids they are going to have different school trips, do different clubs and have different opportunities but this is a family wedding, it's not going to happen again (unless fil divorces and marries again) and they are all the same relation.

Porcuporpoise · 12/02/2025 13:29

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:27

Not quite sure you can compare a playdate to grandparents wedding, but just as i am, you are entitled to your own opinion.

Sorry, are all three not invited to the wedding? I'm pretty sure they were.

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:28

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:22

7 (or 6 nearly 7) is actually the perfect age to start teaching them that older sister will get to do things they don't

She'll be off to Senior School soon. Going on trips they won't be invited on but might have wanted to go to (exchange, ski trip, residential, theme parks...) If they are in Guides or Scouts or something at 10 she'll move to a more "senior" level who will get different opportunities etc...

It works the other way too. Senior schools don't tend to go to Panto, for example, so she might miss out on that whilst her sisters go with primary school.

Yes I wonder if school trips are withheld because the sister can’t go on them in these families.

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:27

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:17

I said all or none, so i'd much happier none of them be asked than only one.

So one has to miss out because her sisters can’t have the exact same?

Ridiculous. And just teaches children that life should be fair when it isn’t and never will be

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:27

Porcuporpoise · 12/02/2025 13:22

Yes heaven forfend that anything special happens to the eldest child if her sisters can't join in. Parties, playdates, school trips, new clothes - all at the same time or not at all. What a way to live!

Not quite sure you can compare a playdate to grandparents wedding, but just as i am, you are entitled to your own opinion.

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:26

SheilaFentiman · 12/02/2025 13:21

I mean, DSD would be upset, given she's already been asked and the invite would be rescinded. But there we go.

I wouldn't have let it get this far. My OH would have said something before the 9 year old was asked. In this instance I wouldn't stop the 9yo being a bridesmaid, but i sympathize with the OP. Its not a nice position to put them in.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:23

SheilaFentiman · 12/02/2025 13:21

I mean, DSD would be upset, given she's already been asked and the invite would be rescinded. But there we go.

Oh but no one cares about the 9 year old here

She should miss out because of her little sisters (who probably already get extra attention as twins and they have their actually mother....)

Porcuporpoise · 12/02/2025 13:22

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:16

And that would be fine as they would all be treated the same and there would be no need for any upset between siblings. They are children, at age 7 i would understand why they would be upset.

Yes heaven forfend that anything special happens to the eldest child if her sisters can't join in. Parties, playdates, school trips, new clothes - all at the same time or not at all. What a way to live!

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:22

7 (or 6 nearly 7) is actually the perfect age to start teaching them that older sister will get to do things they don't

She'll be off to Senior School soon. Going on trips they won't be invited on but might have wanted to go to (exchange, ski trip, residential, theme parks...) If they are in Guides or Scouts or something at 10 she'll move to a more "senior" level who will get different opportunities etc...

It works the other way too. Senior schools don't tend to go to Panto, for example, so she might miss out on that whilst her sisters go with primary school.

SheilaFentiman · 12/02/2025 13:21

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:16

And that would be fine as they would all be treated the same and there would be no need for any upset between siblings. They are children, at age 7 i would understand why they would be upset.

I mean, DSD would be upset, given she's already been asked and the invite would be rescinded. But there we go.

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:17

Liveandletlive18 · 12/02/2025 13:11

So if you had 4 daughtes under 10 you'd expect the bride to worry about them all on her day plus her own if it's a second marriage which includes young children.Absolutely ridiculous. Teach children compromise.

I said all or none, so i'd much happier none of them be asked than only one.

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:16

SheilaFentiman · 12/02/2025 13:08

And if I was FIL - "ok, none! Barbara will just have her DGDs then, which works well for her."

And that would be fine as they would all be treated the same and there would be no need for any upset between siblings. They are children, at age 7 i would understand why they would be upset.

Liveandletlive18 · 12/02/2025 13:11

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:07

I would also feel very aggrieved about this. Although, my OH would also and would have told FIL it was not on. All or none!

So if you had 4 daughtes under 10 you'd expect the bride to worry about them all on her day plus her own if it's a second marriage which includes young children.Absolutely ridiculous. Teach children compromise.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 12/02/2025 13:09

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 12:50

So?

If you can't tell the difference then you might need to check how families work again

SheilaFentiman · 12/02/2025 13:08

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:07

I would also feel very aggrieved about this. Although, my OH would also and would have told FIL it was not on. All or none!

And if I was FIL - "ok, none! Barbara will just have her DGDs then, which works well for her."

dottydodah · 12/02/2025 13:08

TBH it does seem unfair ,however if she already has 2 BM her side and DH DSD thats 3 already and your 2 is 5! I would be tight lipped ,say to your 2 Yes Daisy is being BM isnt that fun.Then say look girls ,shall we also go shopping for a pretty dress each? have some lunch and milk shakes in a nice cafe whilst we are at it ? They will be very excited Im sure.I think it would be hard on your DH otherwise its his dad and DF wont take kindly to future wife being upset!

MaybeMrs · 12/02/2025 13:07

I would also feel very aggrieved about this. Although, my OH would also and would have told FIL it was not on. All or none!

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 13:04

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:01

Yes I’m sure everyone around you definitely isn’t rolling their eyes but saying nothing to keep the peace

No, they're really not. I've never had to have a conversation with any of them about including all the kids, it just happens naturally because they are kind people.

Savemefromwetdog · 12/02/2025 13:03

Is it not partly because she’s older? 7 year old twins would need more supervision on the day and is a young age for a bridesmaid .

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:01

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 12:59

Well it's funny because our family manage it just fine 🤷

Yes I’m sure everyone around you definitely isn’t rolling their eyes but saying nothing to keep the peace

OKNerd · 12/02/2025 13:01

Dramatic · 12/02/2025 12:58

In a situation like the op yes. Something smaller and less meaningful wouldn't matter.

What like “guest”?

Swipe left for the next trending thread