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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To drop future SIL from being a bridesmaid?

134 replies

Faraway11 · 08/06/2026 11:12

I hope you’re sat with a cuppa because it’s abit of a long one. My Fiancé and I have been planning our wedding for a long time. We get married in less than 2 weeks, so this happened a while ago but I’ve only just decided to discuss it as it still weighs on me. Initially, my plan was to have my best friend as my maid of honour, one of my closest friends as a bridesmaid and my SIL as a bridesmaid too. We had come out of a rough patch a few months prior, after she cut me off for not being able to attend her birthday drinks due to my car breaking and me not being able to afford it. She eventually apologised and we moved on. After asking her to be a bridesmaid she seemed happy and accepted. I reached out to the girls asking for a date we could all go dress shopping for my wedding dress as I needed input. On the day or shopping for my dress, SIL could not have looked any more miserable. I messaged her after I got home to ask if she was okay. She was annoyed because she thought she was getting her dress too that day and said she had to book time off work for it. It got smoothed over and I forgot about it. We eventually went to go and get the bridesmaid dresses, she seemed very happy on that day and it all went great. Between then and now, I’ve been having health issues, I’ve been diagnosed with ME/CFS and have been having extreme bouts of depression, but have been doing my best to function with the support of my family and friends. Back in April, my MOH asked what I’d like for my hen party. I explained I was more than happy to have a girly sleepover with some games, a takeaway and some cheesy films. I’m not one for being a party animal. My friends tried to get SIL on board with this, SIL mentioned wanting to go to a magic mike show, but that’s not something I’m interested in. So over the months leading up to the hen, my friends tried and tried to ask SIL if she was coming, she kept saying she didn’t know if she’d be at work (this was 6 months before the hen), then she was talking about not having enough money. My friends said they were happy to chip in and help her out if it meant her being there for my hen do. Eventually about 3 weeks before the hen, my bridesmaid messaged her again about it. SIL replied to say she didn’t want to come, because apparently my attitude and demeanor has been depressing lately, she didn’t want to sit in a room with a ‘mood hoover’ all night making her feel depressed, and also because she can sit and watch films at home. My bridesmaid immediately had my back and called her out on this, SIL replied to say that she’s had it hard too but she just got on with it. Obviously with my bridesmaid being a very close friend, she told me straight away. Myself and my partner phoned his mum, we explained that SIL was still more than welcome to attend the wedding, but she is no longer required as a bridesmaid and is not to contact me at all. Since then, I haven’t spoken to her, but she is point blank refusing to attend the wedding at all. I honestly don’t care, it’s my partner I feel sorry for, even though he has constantly supported me and expressed he also doesn’t care wether she attends. I’ve heard that she also thinks I’m taking advantage of my partner due to him covering bills whilst I’ve been unwell. Her reasoning for not attending the wedding continues to fluctuate between not wanting to be around my friends, and just saying she doesn’t want to go. Was i unreasonable?

OP posts:
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Faraway11 · 16/06/2026 15:33

bloomingbonkerz · 11/06/2026 21:37

Tbh I think you sound very childish I’d put the wedding on hold until you can pull your big girl
pants on and get back to work and stop having everyone around you baby you your partner and his mum are very much in the middle of this fued between what seems like 2 jealous silly girls

🤣🤣

OP posts:
Minglingpringle · 15/06/2026 16:35

She’s behaved badly but she obviously has her own unhappiness going on too. She doesn’t yet have the empathy to understand what you’re going through. And you’re not interested in understanding what she’s going through. In a couple of decades (assuming you’re still family) you’ll probably be extending a lot more forgiveness to each other, once you’ve come to understand how life knocks us all about in different ways. Why not start now? Cut her some slack. Annoyance is the price we pay for community (which is a great phrase I heard recently).

bloomingbonkerz · 11/06/2026 21:37

Tbh I think you sound very childish I’d put the wedding on hold until you can pull your big girl
pants on and get back to work and stop having everyone around you baby you your partner and his mum are very much in the middle of this fued between what seems like 2 jealous silly girls

MellersSmellers · 11/06/2026 18:03

Well she sounds quite selfish, unkind and unsupportive so I'm not sure why you invited her in the first place, but I wouldn't have "uninvited" her to be a bridesmaid, just left it to her to turn up or not to the actual wedding. Don't waste time thinking about it any more, it's done.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 19:00

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 18:51

To be honest, it’s not your family, so you don’t understand the family dynamics. I don’t expect you to understand. My post was asking about being unreasonable to drop her as a bridesmaid, not about her mum being informed about her shitty behaviour

Most people have said you weren’t unreasonable to stop her from being a bridesmaid. So there you go. Stop fretting about it and enjoy your wedding.

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 18:51

Firesidechatter · 10/06/2026 17:43

That’s not what you said in your op.

Myself and my partner phoned his mum, we explained that SIL was still more than welcome to attend the wedding, but she is no longer required as a bridesmaid and is not to contact me at all

it’s the most immature thing I’ve read, running and telling mummy.

To be honest, it’s not your family, so you don’t understand the family dynamics. I don’t expect you to understand. My post was asking about being unreasonable to drop her as a bridesmaid, not about her mum being informed about her shitty behaviour

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 17:52

Firesidechatter · 10/06/2026 17:43

That’s not what you said in your op.

Myself and my partner phoned his mum, we explained that SIL was still more than welcome to attend the wedding, but she is no longer required as a bridesmaid and is not to contact me at all

it’s the most immature thing I’ve read, running and telling mummy.

Yep definitely think OP is not as blameless as she makes out to be. Great way to carry on, falling out with relatives when you get married but hey, it’s her life. And yes I do believe her when she said SIL was being nasty and unpleasant. That’s not right. SIL may find it hard socialising with OP’s friends at hen do and wedding simply because she doesn’t know them and feels awkward around them. I’ve been the incoming SIL in the bridal party coming into a new family and hardly knowing anyone (they all knew each other), luckily everyone was friendly and welcoming.

Firesidechatter · 10/06/2026 17:43

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 17:26

hahaha okay, it wasn’t me that spoke to MIL but okay

That’s not what you said in your op.

Myself and my partner phoned his mum, we explained that SIL was still more than welcome to attend the wedding, but she is no longer required as a bridesmaid and is not to contact me at all

it’s the most immature thing I’ve read, running and telling mummy.

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 17:26

BeNoisyPeachOrca · 10/06/2026 16:55

But you didn't actually do the dirty work, you made your mother in law do.it. That is plain nasty and cowardly. If you are an adult then act like one. I think your sil has seen the true side of you and she is well rid.

hahaha okay, it wasn’t me that spoke to MIL but okay

OP posts:
BeNoisyPeachOrca · 10/06/2026 16:55

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 09:18

It wasn’t last minute, I dropped her back in April

But you didn't actually do the dirty work, you made your mother in law do.it. That is plain nasty and cowardly. If you are an adult then act like one. I think your sil has seen the true side of you and she is well rid.

Tuesdayschild50 · 10/06/2026 16:53

Absolutely not unreasonable accept her uninviting herself .. and move on with no more thought of her.
Just look forward to you're day and enjoy it x

NotMeNorI · 10/06/2026 16:40

Sorry you've had to go through this OP. You're already dealing with massive health issues on top of the typical wedding stress, and someone who is supposed to support you has made it about themselves!

You must be absolutely exhausted, and so heartbroken that she's ruined part of the process for you.

I completely agree with how you've dealt with it, and that your fiance was the best person to sort out his family. You're lucky that you have some lovely friends and bridesmaids to fill the gap - try to just enjoy the rest of the build-up and the actual day as much as you possibly can.

Don't give her another thought, and possibly prep your fiance to field any further craziness as she may try something around the wedding.

Congratulations, btw 🎉🎊

NotThisShitAgain121 · 10/06/2026 13:59

She is a fucking arsehole. Dont bother with her again. She can fucking talk!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 12:18

FragrantPalms · 10/06/2026 11:03

Yes, this is like those posters who describe in insane amounts of detail a friendship where they have been making all the running in the face of the polite indifference of the other person for years, and conclude 'AIBU to cut her off?' when in fact the other person has obviously been trying to disengage for years!

Not sure what the issue is here, OP. You don't like her or want her to attend the wedding, and she isn't.

I think it’s in her OP is she BU to drop future SIL from being a bridesmaid and then what to do about invite as SIL is now declining. Unless I’ve read it wrong.

FragrantPalms · 10/06/2026 11:03

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 10/06/2026 09:32

I'm a bit confused by why you posted... as others said you don't won't her there and she isn't coming.

Yes, this is like those posters who describe in insane amounts of detail a friendship where they have been making all the running in the face of the polite indifference of the other person for years, and conclude 'AIBU to cut her off?' when in fact the other person has obviously been trying to disengage for years!

Not sure what the issue is here, OP. You don't like her or want her to attend the wedding, and she isn't.

Shellyshep · 10/06/2026 10:41

Let it go. She doesn’t want to be there, you don’t want her there and your partner isn’t arsed. I’m sure you have lots of things to stress over for the wedding, this isn’t one of them….

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 09:34

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 09:18

It wasn’t last minute, I dropped her back in April

Ah ok. Sorry didn’t notice this. I’m still not 100% sure that you should still drop her but your decision. Can’t you have a chat with her?

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 10/06/2026 09:32

TheignT · 09/06/2026 20:25

I agree. As a MIL I wouldn't have done it. Two of my sons are married, their wives don't get on. I refuse to get involved or take sides. It annoys me as my sons were close but it is what it is but like hell would I be passing on a message like that. Your husband was well out of order to put that on his mother.

Agree

HAPPILYMARRIEDSINCE2012 · 10/06/2026 09:32

I'm a bit confused by why you posted... as others said you don't won't her there and she isn't coming.

Faraway11 · 10/06/2026 09:18

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 08:39

I posted about this last night but it didn’t post. This has all been handled badly, she’s said some nasty things but dropping someone as bridesmaid last minute is hurtful. No wonder she doesn’t want to come to the wedding. Then hearing it from someone else. Way to ruin family relations but hey it’s done.

It wasn’t last minute, I dropped her back in April

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 10/06/2026 08:39

I posted about this last night but it didn’t post. This has all been handled badly, she’s said some nasty things but dropping someone as bridesmaid last minute is hurtful. No wonder she doesn’t want to come to the wedding. Then hearing it from someone else. Way to ruin family relations but hey it’s done.

Hollybollyhughes · 10/06/2026 08:26

I'd be delighted if I was you, she's not coming to your wedding and sounds like a person who doesn't share others happiness or helps in a crisis. A proper Debbie Downer, good riddance. The girly night in is what you like, it's not about her. Also it's affordable. Enjoy YOUR hen, YOUR wedding and you two have a great time.

Wiseplumnet · 10/06/2026 07:35

MyKindHiker · 08/06/2026 13:44

Ugh what a mess. Kindly, you all sound like squabbling children. However I remember how high emotions run around weddings so I do empathize (a bit).

But that's the thing - I've been married 12 years and half the people in my wedding photos I've lost touch with. All of the details I slaved over, I just don't remember. Fights that at the time seemed like life and death (who would sit where, the friend who dropped out of the hen on the day with a rubbish excuse) - all in the context of a life lived subsequently seem so meaningless.

Basically, she's been rubbish. She shouldn't be a bridesmaid.

But if she doesn't come to the wedding you'll probably never speak again which would be a shame. Someday she might grow out of being such a selfish monster and might be a lovely auntie to any future kids or a person you want around for all sorts of reasons. The selfish mate who dropped out of my hen and I.(almost) uninvited to my wedding? Organized my baby shower and was great at different times.

Let it go and enjoy your day x

Words of wisdom!

ItsOkItsDarkChocolate · 10/06/2026 06:38

Evaka · 08/06/2026 19:25

Lots of mean/obtuse responses. She's a dick but it's sorted now. Move on and have a great wedding day x

@Faraway11

This.

JayJayj · 10/06/2026 00:07

Arlanymor · 08/06/2026 11:22

Why did you phone her mum to say that his sister was no longer a bridesmaid? Surely you should have said it directly to her. I imagine that is why she doesn’t want to go, she was demoted and had to hear about it from her mum. But either way neither your nor your fiancé want her there so I’m not sure what it is that you’re concerned about. You don’t want her there, she’s not coming, so end of?

The ringing the mum thing was the part I also didn’t get. Unless SIL is a child then it should have been a phone call to her.