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Friend getting married abroad- other friend having tantrum

194 replies

ThatKeenJadeLeader · 11/07/2025 09:01

Good Morning,

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how I can sort this situation out.

Friendship group of 5 of us. We are 36/37.

Me and two other women (married and kids), (one male) single no kids and other friend (currently in the process of marrying the most lovely man).

My friendship group has been together since uni. Me and two other women all got married from 27-30. Male friend never married/ never in a relationship. Other friend has been single despite being absolutely lovely and has finally found a bloke who treats her well- they got engaged last year and are planning the wedding.

Friend has family in Italy (was born here but has very elderly grandparents out there).

Anyway....male friend developed a problem with drinking and other things a few years ago and gave himself paranoia and anxiety through it. Friend has decided she wants to get married in her grandparents village in Italy so family who can't make the flight anymore can see her get married. She said she will also arrange a party for when she gets back for people here that won't be invited/ can't go.

Male friend has had a complete tantrum and left the group chat because his anxiety won't allow him to fly. Has messaged me and one of the other girls saying he can't believe she's being so selfish and she knows his issues and she should do it here at a location that would suit him.

This is not the first time he has acted like this. He is a horror at every life event we do. Got drunk at other friends daughters christening and started a rant about how it's a shame we all have to conform to stereotypical families etc. He's gay. At my hen party he had a full tantrum and other friends wedding he walked out of as she wasn't paying him enough attention and then got angry we didn't realise for over an hour that he had left. He has had plenty of opportunities for relationships as we did have a period of time where we thought he might be jealous and struggling but this is not the case. He is just immature in general.

I personally want to shake him and tell him to stop being so selfish, but other friend is saying we know how he is so we should try and calm it down.

I have absolutely taken a massive step back from him over the years because all he wants is drama, but we do remain civil, but this one has thrown me right over the edge.

Would I be the arsehole to not pussyfoot round him and give him some home truths on how he's behaving? We never do normally and always end up feeling sorry for him when he eventually apologises when he realises he has gone too far.

OP posts:
GoldDuster · 11/07/2025 10:04

I'd just withdraw completely from the relationship with him, tell the other's that you're done with his antics and crack on.

He's not a friend. He's a liability. Your DH is right. If I was bride I'd just ignore him, and he wouldn't be invited to the UK celebration.

He sounds ridiculous.

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 11/07/2025 10:04

He sounds horrible. Does he have any redeeming qualities?

WondererWanderer · 11/07/2025 10:03

OhBling · 11/07/2025 09:38

Grin Covert narcissists are also called "vulnerable" narcissists. It's not that their behaviours are necessarily hidden. It's that their desire to be centre of attention is masked in drama, victimhood, things going wrong, needing help etc.

Sometimes it's subtle. Sometimes less so. What I'm learning is that the older they get, the less subtle it gets. I think its becuase the behaviours become more and more extreme as previous levels stop working. They often land up alone.

He's not a narcissist for fuck sake.

To me he sounds undiagnosed anxiety issue, mental illness, maybe autistic but presenting as MH issues etc. All the hall marks there. No personal relationships, lives with his parents etc.

When will this obsession with everyone being a narc end.

Doitrightnow · 11/07/2025 10:00

defrazzled · 11/07/2025 09:30

Did she arrange it abroad specifically so he wouldn't come? Sounds likely! Clever girl!

This!

Is he actually even invited? I wouldn't invite him.

MsJemimaPuddleDuck · 11/07/2025 09:58

Id honestly just stop speaking to him and drop him.

Hankunamatata · 11/07/2025 09:57

I would struggle not to laugh when he came out with that gem.
Really plan wedding around him lol

ForNavyHiker · 11/07/2025 09:57

He can always go over by ferry or train and drive if he’s that bothered

Nanny0gg · 11/07/2025 09:55

OhBling · 11/07/2025 09:36

This is where you have to just be really kind, but clear.

"Friend, I'm sorry you won't be at the wedding. We'd love you to come and there are options to take trains. But what's most important for friend is to have her adored grandparents there, which is of course completely reasonable. If you can't make it, we'll plan a lovely party for afterwards in England xxx"

And then leave the rest.

Of course, I'd actually be considering cancelling the friendshp completely, but that's another story. Just a guess - he has a bad relationship with his family?

I wouldn't be sorry...

For the love of god, stop pandering to him

sueelleker · 11/07/2025 09:54

Why is he still a friend?

Bonjovispyjamas · 11/07/2025 09:54

If any of my friends behaved like that, they wouldn't be friends anymore.

ThatKeenJadeLeader · 11/07/2025 09:54

SpryCat · 11/07/2025 09:49

Why are you all friends with him? Do you enjoy the drama?
Your male ‘friend’ doesn't like any of you, he would love to see your lives destroyed and would be sitting gleefully watching, in a front row seat with popcorn!

Edited

I unfortunately have only realised this over the last couple of years so have distanced myself quite alot. My husband said the same thing after meeting him 3 times and has continued to tell me over the years. It was only once I got therapy myself I realised. Better late than never I guess.

OP posts:
acatcalledjohn · 11/07/2025 09:54

I can see why he has always been single.

Is your other friend a people pleaser? Only a people pleaser would say “we know how he is” as though that makes shitty behaviour acceptable.

Whomever said up thread to ask him why he thinks he is more important than her elderly grandparents, I second that.

CuddlesKovinsky · 11/07/2025 09:53

ehb102 · 11/07/2025 09:41

You have Mumsnet collective permission to dump him as a friend. Slow fade, full ghost or confrontation, you choose.

This. I cannot understand how a bunch of adults has put with this for so long...

But I would suggest the slow fade/ghost rather than confrontation, because he WILL use that as ammunition to kick off a massive drama ('DARVO DARVO, she was horrid to me, I'm going to end it all'...). And he will do it at the point of maximum attention-seeking during that poor woman's wedding. He'll probably pull something like that anyway, be aware.

SemperIdem · 11/07/2025 09:53

I would cut him dead, block him on everything and move on with my life. He’s a complete and utter loser.

MimiGC · 11/07/2025 09:52

I wouldn’t give him ‘home truths’, as that rarely ends well. I would just let him stew and not engage in much discussion about it, other than ‘X wants to get married in Italy with her elderly grandparents there’ on repeat.
When is the wedding? Make sure when you get to Italy, you all have your phones switched off or on silent, so he can’t disturb your peace.

SpryCat · 11/07/2025 09:49

Why are you all friends with him? Do you enjoy the drama?
Your male ‘friend’ doesn't like any of you, he would love to see your lives destroyed and would be sitting gleefully watching, in a front row seat with popcorn!

Kipperandarthur · 11/07/2025 09:48

I would tell him the truth about his behaviour.

Then I really could not be bothered with any form of friendship afterwards.

He brings nothing to your life but selfish drama. It's OK to drop friends that don't work going forward.

Permanentlymisunderstood · 11/07/2025 09:47

Why are you still putting up with this man baby? This is your chance to let him go, permanently. He’s behaving like a twat. If you feel able to tell him that, good for you. What a knob.

GospelOakCloak · 11/07/2025 09:46

OhBling · 11/07/2025 09:38

Grin Covert narcissists are also called "vulnerable" narcissists. It's not that their behaviours are necessarily hidden. It's that their desire to be centre of attention is masked in drama, victimhood, things going wrong, needing help etc.

Sometimes it's subtle. Sometimes less so. What I'm learning is that the older they get, the less subtle it gets. I think its becuase the behaviours become more and more extreme as previous levels stop working. They often land up alone.

Ah I see !

whynotmereally · 11/07/2025 09:46

I’d message him tell him he’s selfish to think he can dictate where his friends wedding is and you have had enough of his constant drama.

id check in with wedding friend and show support

3peassuit · 11/07/2025 09:45

Given his past behaviour, I’d find it a relief he wasn’t coming to the wedding. I understand your wish to confront him but would it change anything or just add to his misplaced list of grievances.

Itisnotdownonanymap · 11/07/2025 09:44

Sounds like a good result to me

ehb102 · 11/07/2025 09:41

You have Mumsnet collective permission to dump him as a friend. Slow fade, full ghost or confrontation, you choose.

TourdeFrance2025 · 11/07/2025 09:39

I'd support the friend getting married, reassure her she's entitled to arrange her wedding how she wants it & that it sounds lovely.

id probably avoid telling him any home truths. to keep the peace, but only to a point. If he starts upsetting the bride then I'd tell him what I thought of his behaviour & attitude.

AddictAlice · 11/07/2025 09:38

I would just leave it. It's good that he has left the group chat as you don't have to deal with him. I wouldn't engage with him at all. Her wedding, her choice. His tantrum will eventually subside. Until the next one.

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