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I don't want to invite my stepmother to my wedding

69 replies

bloodyigglepiggle · 15/01/2019 18:33

NC for this as quite outing. Growing up my "D"F was pretty emotionally abusive to my DM, my DSIS and I. DM eventually managed to get the strength to leave him when we were teenagers, helped in no small way by one of her very good friends who treated us as family.

To cut a long story short, five years later it turned out my father was in a relationship with this woman. When my mother confronted her about it she said that DM had lied about DF's behaviour. Turned out all the while she had been pretending to be DM's friend she had been in contact with my father behind her back. I know maybe it won't sound like much to many on here perhaps but it was just such a betrayal. My father's abuse is incredibly subtle - think gaslighting and emotional manipulation rather than shouting/screaming/physical violence. This woman had talked to us all extensively about what he had been like to live with and then to just go and dismiss it all - just, I felt I could never forgive her or him. I didn't speak to him for a few years after that happened and I haven't seen her at all since.

I eventually regained some sort of semblance of a relationship with my father , it's not great but it's ok. I am now engaged and getting married in the Spring. I have chosen not to invite my father's partner to the wedding. He has made me feel incredibly guilty about this. I have told him I understand if he feels he can't attend himself but he says he "has" to as he is my father. I don't really want him there either if I'm honest but I know that would cause family ructions on his side that I just don't have the emotional strength to deal with.

Anyway, now he has found out that I am inviting my mother's husband and all hell has broken loose. Like, of course I am going to invite my stepfather. He is an absolutely lovely man, treats my mother like a Queen, has worked hard to build a relationship with my sister and I, is a wonderful father to his own three children (who I get along well with and will also be there).

I am now feeling massively pressured that I need to invite my father's partner too (as far as I know they aren't married but with my Dad you never know, he never tells you anything - he was married twice before my my mum but she only found that out when they were getting divorced). I just don't want to see her.

OP posts:
kateandme · 15/01/2019 19:23

his actions have consequences.he needs to be completely in ur debt not make you feel guilty.youve let him back in at all is admirable so he needs to be appreciating any contact and then rules on it you make not the other way round.
don't get emotive with him.you just keep repeating in the calm manner wha tyou have already told him.
if this means he doesn't come I think this would also be a kind of weight of fyou .
but you must mustnt mustn't feel guilty ok.bullys are excellent at doing this to those they hurt.and somehow turning the blame and bad feeling around to the sufferers.dont let him.
this is your day you can invite just a herd of cows if you want to!
have a brill day and make it so it is this by ever means possible.
p.s im glad your mums found happiness.how lovely.

WhoKnewBeefStew · 15/01/2019 19:25

Your wedding, your guest list.

If he mentions it again I’d simply say that you stand by what you said initially, she’s not invited and if he carries on pressurising you then he can stay at home too. If he kicks off about it after that, uninvited him.

Stardustinmyeyes · 15/01/2019 19:25

bloodyigglepiggle
Leave the ball in his court. Don't invite her, it's your day and if it will make you uncomfortable then she shouldn't be there.

Snappedandfarted2019
At least read the op before you make such a fatuous comment.

bloodyigglepiggle · 15/01/2019 19:26

Basically he's said it's not fair to invite my stepdad and not her

OP posts:
greyspottedgoose · 15/01/2019 19:26

I would tell him he doesn't 'have' to and you would rather he didn't, ask your mums husband to give you away if he has made an effort to build a relationship with you that your dad hasn't

bloodyigglepiggle · 15/01/2019 19:27

I'm having my mum walk me down the aisle.

OP posts:
WhoKnewBeefStew · 15/01/2019 19:35

Basically he's said it's not fair to invite my stepdad and not her

I say again, your wedding, your guest list.

It’s got fuck all to do with him, it’s up to you and it’s not his place to say what’s fair and what isn’t. If he thinks it’s not fair then I’d be saying to him, to feel free not to attend himself.

SayNoToCarrots · 15/01/2019 19:36

It's not about 'fair'. No one is entitled to an invitation to your wedding, no matter who else is coming.

MulticolourMophead · 15/01/2019 20:03

I agree it's not about "fair". I am guessing your stepdad didn't go behind your back like this woman did, pretending to be a friend.

Choice of guests is down to you and your partner, no-one else.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 15/01/2019 20:11

We reap what we sow IgglePiggle, Hell would freeze over, before she came to my wedding. Tell him your word is final.
So glad your DM got a happy ending.
Don't let him back you into a corner, keep her away.

MistressDeeCee · 15/01/2019 20:14

Stick to 'No'. Don't have any more discussions about it. You've stated your view - that's it. He's not obliged to attend so it's like it or lump it for him.

Congrats on your impending nuptials...

It's 2 years till DD1 getting married - ExH (her dad) is already insisting he will be the one walking her up the aisle. She is adamant he won't. He'll kick off nearer the time but we're ready for his bullshit and he won't be allowed to have a say, much less spoil things

My lovely DP has done more for her practically, financially and emotionally than her dad ever has, and he will be walking her up the aisle. Her choice.

So..your wedding, your choice. Be happy💐

IrishCypriot · 15/01/2019 20:16

I didn't invite my father or stepmother to my wedding as they were emotionally, mentally and physically abusive to me my whole life.

I had the best day ever and don't regret a thing! X

PerspicaciaTick · 15/01/2019 20:22

FFS. He is walking on very thin ice. At the moment he has the choice to attend with good grace on his own or he can stay away. If he doesn't stop nagging and bitching immediately you will make the choice for him and neither of them will be attending.
I'd be tempted to write a letter to that effect.

Beansandcoffee · 15/01/2019 20:34

There are consequences to bad behaviour. Your Dads wife and your dad behaved appallingly to you. Sorry but I wouldn’t be inviting her either.

I not keen on my dad’s wife for many reasons. I refuse to ever call her SM. She is known as my dad’s wife. She doesn’t deserve the title mum.

MadMum101 · 15/01/2019 20:38

Have you appraised your father of the reason your SD is invited but his partner isn't OP?

If it's going to cause a fallout anyway I'd get that in there while you can.

You don't have to forgive and forget for an easy life. That only makes it easier for them.

WoW - another one who thinks your mother is disgusting to prioritise the feelings of someone she cheated with over her own DCs wedding. I hope you don't have much to do with her if anything at all.

Mossend · 15/01/2019 20:43

Do not invite her, it's your wedding.
If your F gives you the ultimatum it's both of them or neither tell him that's his choice.
I'm normally one for trying to keep the peace, especially at weddings but if it would ruin your day her being there you'd be absolutely correct not to invite her. I think I'd feel the same

losingfaith · 15/01/2019 20:52

Of course it is "fair":

  1. Your wedding, do what you and your husband would like;
  1. Doesn't sound like your step-father has betrayed you, unlike your step mother so the two cannot be compared.
oldowlgirl · 15/01/2019 21:19

Stand your ground Op & rescind his invite. Don't let them spoil your day.

bloodyigglepiggle · 15/01/2019 21:35

Thanks everyone

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