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To ask my maid of honour not to announce her engagement at my wedding

207 replies

Skyhu · 24/04/2025 16:23

I'm getting married next month, my MoH has just told me that she's engaged. Obviously, I'm super happy for her, but we have a lot of mutual friends, and the next time we will see most of them is at our wedding. I don't want to have to ask her, but I just want our day to be about me and my FH.

All advice appreciated!

OP posts:
DappledThings · 26/04/2025 09:18

She can have every other day in eternity, but I just wanted this one day for myself (I didn't realise that for some people this is seen as a crime).
But what does that actually mean? Is it only topics related to weddings that are off the table so that all the focus is on you? What about pregnancy or a promotion or a big holiday some is excited about? All of which are standard conversation. Is nobody allowed to talk about anything nice going on with them without that meaning you no longer feel you have the day all for yourself?

People are perfectly capable of being excited and interested in more than one thing at a time. Thinking that if they spend a little bit of the day saying "Congratulations Jenny, that's lovely" then they aren't also completely celebrating you is rather silly.

SallyWD · 26/04/2025 09:14

Skyhu · 26/04/2025 09:06

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments, even if some seemed unnecessarily harsh!

I thought I might add some context for the reasoning behind my worries:

My partner and I both have minimal families; it will just be both of our parents at the wedding, and even then, we don't have the best of relationships with them. That has meant that we have found the process of telling people we are engaged and planning the wedding to be quite difficult as we've not had the love and support from our family, which we can see others have in our circles. I'm not somebody who usually gets attention, I normally fade into the background, an only child who never learnt how to speak up for herself, and so having spent so much time and money on this one day, I was excited to have just this one day which could be all about us.

My maid of honor has had the opposite upbringing to me, full of unconditional love from her family, and unlike me, can easily draw on the attention of others. So I guess I just feel that she will already get all the family support that I have missed out on, I really don't want her to take my one day away from me too. She can have every other day in eternity, but I just wanted this one day for myself (I didn't realise that for some people this is seen as a crime).

As a side note, I didn't realise the word 'announce' was so nuanced, so apologies for that. She has told me that she is waiting to tell people in person, and the next time they will see most people is at our wedding.

This gives a bit more context but I still find it odd. Do you really think everyone will be focussed on you and only talk about you the entire day?
I've been to dozens of weddings and have always made small talk with whoever I'm standing/sitting next time. We generally don't talk about the bride and groom but talk about each other, asking questions about the others lives. It would seem very odd if your Maid of Honour was banned from mentioning her engagement.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 26/04/2025 09:08

Skyhu · 26/04/2025 09:06

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments, even if some seemed unnecessarily harsh!

I thought I might add some context for the reasoning behind my worries:

My partner and I both have minimal families; it will just be both of our parents at the wedding, and even then, we don't have the best of relationships with them. That has meant that we have found the process of telling people we are engaged and planning the wedding to be quite difficult as we've not had the love and support from our family, which we can see others have in our circles. I'm not somebody who usually gets attention, I normally fade into the background, an only child who never learnt how to speak up for herself, and so having spent so much time and money on this one day, I was excited to have just this one day which could be all about us.

My maid of honor has had the opposite upbringing to me, full of unconditional love from her family, and unlike me, can easily draw on the attention of others. So I guess I just feel that she will already get all the family support that I have missed out on, I really don't want her to take my one day away from me too. She can have every other day in eternity, but I just wanted this one day for myself (I didn't realise that for some people this is seen as a crime).

As a side note, I didn't realise the word 'announce' was so nuanced, so apologies for that. She has told me that she is waiting to tell people in person, and the next time they will see most people is at our wedding.

Hmm. I don't think there's anything wrong with telling her how you feel. Why can't you just say to her what you've said here?

Skyhu · 26/04/2025 09:06

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments, even if some seemed unnecessarily harsh!

I thought I might add some context for the reasoning behind my worries:

My partner and I both have minimal families; it will just be both of our parents at the wedding, and even then, we don't have the best of relationships with them. That has meant that we have found the process of telling people we are engaged and planning the wedding to be quite difficult as we've not had the love and support from our family, which we can see others have in our circles. I'm not somebody who usually gets attention, I normally fade into the background, an only child who never learnt how to speak up for herself, and so having spent so much time and money on this one day, I was excited to have just this one day which could be all about us.

My maid of honor has had the opposite upbringing to me, full of unconditional love from her family, and unlike me, can easily draw on the attention of others. So I guess I just feel that she will already get all the family support that I have missed out on, I really don't want her to take my one day away from me too. She can have every other day in eternity, but I just wanted this one day for myself (I didn't realise that for some people this is seen as a crime).

As a side note, I didn't realise the word 'announce' was so nuanced, so apologies for that. She has told me that she is waiting to tell people in person, and the next time they will see most people is at our wedding.

OP posts:
Beautifulweeds · 26/04/2025 00:30

I really wouldn't mind at all, it will be an extra memory for the day.

As you said, not often you all get together. You will have your day, it's just an extra special moment for them. You will be married!

I really couldn't imagine why anyone would be against it at all.

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 25/04/2025 23:57

I can imagine that her boyfriend getting down on one knee in the middle of the ceremony or someone actually giving birth on the dancefloor might somewhat detract from the big day. But I just couldn’t get too worked up about someone announcing their engagement or pregnancy etc at my wedding. I think it would be lovely to have such an announcement with all friends and family around. I just don’t understand how territorial people get about wedding days.

mmsnet · 25/04/2025 23:46

youre a child

Atsocta · 25/04/2025 23:33

It’s your day about you and your partner, not hers, she should arrange her own function and not gatecrash yours …

naffusername · 25/04/2025 23:20

Livelovebehappy · 24/04/2025 21:37

If she’s wearing an engagement ring people are going to notice and comment anyway. You can’t tell her to hide the ring or remove it.

That's not a problem. My bridesmaid actually made a speech announcement of her engagement!

TheHerboriste · 25/04/2025 22:41

ForPlumReader · 25/04/2025 18:36

Why does it make any difference if other people are excited and happy about other things besides your big day? The guest are attending because they are happy for you and want to share in your excitement. Pity you seem to be reluctant to extend that courtesy to others. You are being ridiculous.

Well said.

I can’t stand that sort of immature stinginess.

August1980 · 25/04/2025 20:34

ICanTellYouMissMe · 24/04/2025 16:28

Nah, you absolutely cannot tell her what she can talk to her mates about while she’s spending an entire day with them, you loon 😁

just made me lol

4kids2cats · 25/04/2025 19:52

I think this could be an opportunity for a very cute bouquet toss!

naffusername · 25/04/2025 19:30

My bridesmaid did this at my wedding 40 years ago. Waited until the late buffet was served and we were out of the door.

My Mum told me about it and she's still not over it. The way it was timed and announced it looked like she had provided the buffet.

No heads up, no do you mind.

Cheeky mare.

MarvellousMonsters · 25/04/2025 19:22

A lot of people on this thread clearly have a different understanding of ‘announce’ to me. As far as I’m concerned announcing her engagement means over a microphone to everyone, and to me that’s out of order. If she wants to tell people one to one that’s fine. Surely by next month she’ll have told most people anyway?

Jumpers4goalposts · 25/04/2025 18:44

What do you want her to do? Take her engagement ring off?

ForPlumReader · 25/04/2025 18:36

Why does it make any difference if other people are excited and happy about other things besides your big day? The guest are attending because they are happy for you and want to share in your excitement. Pity you seem to be reluctant to extend that courtesy to others. You are being ridiculous.

laraitopbanana · 25/04/2025 18:34

Are you not doing any bridesmaids stuff before the wedding? Surely, she will have time to break her news…and no, you can’t tell her to not say it.

honestly, it is a « happy day » and she won’t steal your light anyway.

SomewhereInTheMIdlands · 25/04/2025 18:02

Weddings are a load of balony.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/04/2025 17:54

Bridzilla isn’t coming back

Pearl87 · 25/04/2025 15:10

I think when brides are in the midst of wedding planning, it can seem so all-consuming that they end up thinking everyone else will be just as invested in it as they are. They think that throughout the day, people will be discussing the wedding in great detail - analysing the dress, the vows, the speeches, the decor, the choice of music and so on.

In reality, that's not what happens. Wedding guests mostly ask each other about their jobs, their kids, etc.

Iwannakeepondancing · 25/04/2025 10:57

Herewegoagain84 · 24/04/2025 20:07

Yet part of life? Other people exist? How is it unnecessary? If the news hasn’t reached certain people then of course it will be shared. Or should the bride and groom list safe topics for guests to discuss that ensure not an ounce of attention is placed elsewhere?! Would love to know what’s off limits - a new job? Relocating? Having a baby? Weddings are a celebration of people and family and future. Get a grip.

Not sure you got what I mean!

I mean as an announcement it seems unnecessary at someone else’s wedding but to tell people when she’s there that’s fine!

SallyDraperGetInHere · 25/04/2025 00:56

There’s an old irish song
’ive often heard it said by my father and my mother
that the going to a wedding is the making of another’

If you’re planning a speech yourself, you could quote this and say how pleased you are that x and y will be following you down the aisle (cue applause), so you remain in charge of the news but they get their moment of attention.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/04/2025 00:51

outerspacepotato · 24/04/2025 19:38

Where I am, making big announcements like engagement or pregnancy at someone else's wedding is seen as rude and hijacking the party and stealing the wedding couple's thunder.

They can have their own party if they want.

Is a pregnant person meant to hide their bump or an egaged person meant to not wear their ring?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/04/2025 00:50

It would be totally unreasonable to expect her to keep it secret. It's your big day not your entire decade

Changedusernameforthis2 · 24/04/2025 22:20

Get a bloody grip. There's enough good news and love to go around for everyone..regardless of what day its on