Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to bring my young children only to the reception?

107 replies

Cherrytree696 · 08/07/2026 16:51

My sister is getting married next year - I have 3 kids who will all be under 4 next year when she ties the knot.

None of my kids are in the wedding party and neither am I or my husband and because of this my sister doesn't have room for us in the hotel so we will be travelling from home - about half an hour.

My mum asked me what my plans were for the wedding and I said myself and my husband had only briefly discussed it but that he would probably keep the kids at home and bring them to the reception for 3pm and then we will go home after the first dance.

This has caused quite the reaction from my sister and mum but I'm just not sure that a 3 and a half year old and two 18 months olds are they best mix with a formal wedding. Our plan was that I could go and see my sister get married and then he would bring them to the reception.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I don't think my kids are going to improve the situation. She's getting married at 2pm so they won't miss much other than the actual ceremony and the dancing (happy to stay later if they are settled and not annoying anyone).

OP posts:
Cherrytree696 · 08/07/2026 16:57

They think I'm being selfish because its a family event and the kids should be there.

OP posts:
PreachyPie · 08/07/2026 16:57

Wow........this is causing fall out already, and if the wedding is next year, that's at least 6 months away!!!
Have you tried sitting down with your sister to discuss her expectations so that you can come to a mutually agreeable solution?

Stompythedinosaur · 08/07/2026 16:56

Cherrytree696 · 08/07/2026 16:55

No I'm going! I am going to go with my brother and his girlfriend and then my husband will bring the kids later (or that's the current plan).

Then I genuinely can't see the issue, seems sensible to me!

Lifelover16 · 08/07/2026 16:56

Personally I think that’s a good compromise. You can enjoy the ceremony without trying to wrangle the DCs. Be fine at the reception with your partner to help and then play it by ear for the dancing.

Cherrytree696 · 08/07/2026 16:55

Stompythedinosaur · 08/07/2026 16:53

It's not clear if you are also skipping the ceremony?

I can understand your dh keeping the dc occupied elsewhere during the ceremony, but I can understand the upset if you aren't going.

No I'm going! I am going to go with my brother and his girlfriend and then my husband will bring the kids later (or that's the current plan).

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 08/07/2026 16:53

It's not clear if you are also skipping the ceremony?

I can understand your dh keeping the dc occupied elsewhere during the ceremony, but I can understand the upset if you aren't going.

cestlavielife · 08/07/2026 16:52

Are they thinking of some Hello style kids in photos looking adorable ...not realising the reality