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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not attend my sister's wedding

144 replies

TheRealThursdayNext · 05/01/2015 22:09

(sorry for another wedding dilemma thread, will try to be brief)
My sister gets married in May and the guest list includes our father who I haven't spoken to for 20+years, and don't intend to see ever again, particularly not in public at an important event.
So I intend to tell her I won't go if he does. I'm not going to ask that he is not invited, who she has there is her choice, but I do expect her to tell me whether or not he is attending so I can base mine and my family's (partner & kids) attendance on that.
He's not a monster, he just pushed us out of his life many years ago so I made a conscious decision to live mine without him in it as the less painful option, rather than waiting for him to get in touch (he didn't), and my sister is fully aware of this. It's been a successful decision and has allowed me to move on from an unhappy childhood. Naturally my sister isn't estranged from him, although they had a few years of not speaking. I think it will also be pretty awkward for our mother (who has never remarried, to his 2 subsequent wives, one of whom he left her for) who doesn't really have anything to do with him either.
Sis hasn't mentioned to me that he's invited, which I'm a bit annoyed about, it's come back to me via another relative. I will say something to her about it when we next talk and I expect her to tell me I'm being selfish, I think she's a bit naive to expect us both to go, or for our mother to fully enjoy the day. I would be sad to miss her wedding but I'm not prepared to spend the whole event feeling awkward and uncomfortable, avoiding his gaze and that of all the other family members who are aware of the situation, or a possible confrontation. And I couldn't possibly imagine the photographer trying to gather 'all the bride's family' for a cosy photo. so AIBU to not go?

OP posts:
Lweji · 05/01/2015 23:23

She probably hasn't mentioned it to you because it's really none of your business.
I have never asked anyone who else was on the guest list at a wedding. The bride and groom should invite whoever they like.

I really don't have much patience for people who refuse to be in the same room as someone else they don't speak to, particularly when it ruins other people's days.
I have had to have double birthday parties for DS so that both MIL and BIL+SIL and hence nephews could attend. All because MIL refused to attend places where SIL was. Because in fact it was all about her and her problems.

Be a good sister and don't even mention it to her.

wobblyweebles · 05/01/2015 23:27

It's OK to not go. I say this as someone who for five years of my life could not have been in the same room as my stepfather. If I was your sister I would understand.

TracyBarlow · 05/01/2015 23:32

I really would try and find it in my heart to go if I were you OP. Missing your sister's wedding could have a lifetime of repercussions. I think you'd be better off just steeling yourself, plastering on a smile for her and cracking on with it.

Inertia · 05/01/2015 23:32

I think that if you go with your family it could make life an awful lot easier for your mother. If you, your mother, your DH and your children show up as a supportive family unit, it means that your mum can attend her daughter's wedding without feeling isolated.

You don't have to acknowledge your father on the day, and in all likelihood he'll avoid you. You don't have to compromise your no-contact stance. But I think that supporting your sister and your mum , with your own family alongside, is the most useful way of demonstrating how you've moved on without your father, and how insignificant he is in your life.

SpidersDontWashTheirHands · 05/01/2015 23:37

Presumably you're not in contact with him because of the distress that he has caused you in the past and the only way to protect yourself is to not see him. Obviously you know you can't issue an ultimatum but you can refuse to attend the wedding and it would be entirely reasonable for you to do so. Your sister must be aware that you've not seen him for twenty years so it's hardly going to shock her.

MissHJ · 05/01/2015 23:47

I would have no patience at all if you were my sister. It's not about you, and you sister is perfectly able to invite whoever she likes. I have had to deal with family who won't entertain each other at events and it makes things really stressful. It's the reason why me and my partner decided against having a party for our son's birthday because people could not put their feelings aside for a couple of hours for our son's sake. It is really upsetting and shows a lot about how much you care for your sister. Not a chance in hell would I miss my sister's wedding.

Balloonspaghetti · 05/01/2015 23:52

Thing is - you've said yourself he's not a monster. He's just a deadbeat kinda guy.

I would have empathy with you if he had intentionally abused you throughout your childhood or something and can understand why someone would expect their sister to keep him away in that case.

But he just didn't live up to the (perfectly acceptable) expectations of a father/husband and that caused you a great deal of pain.

You will be doing a similar thing to your sister by not going - not living up to her expectations to sacrifice yourself just a little because you feel she is important enough.

Italiangreyhound · 06/01/2015 00:29

TheRealThursdayNext YANBU.

You have a perfect right not to go to the wedding. I can see you are very hurt your sister has not talked to you about the fact she invited your father.

Of course it is her wedding and she can invite whoever she wants to.

Clearly you thought she would either not have invited him or would have discussed it with you.

It is not clear from your post how close you and your sister are. So I am not sure how relevant all the images of sisterly love are!

I do wonder if there is any 'issue' in the fact your father is in contact with your sister and not with you.

Having said all this, and really wanting to send some support to you in a rather 'hostile' environment, I would say that if I were in your shoes I would explore (mentally, I mean) whether I was prepared to go!

No one can tell you to go but by the same token I would not give your sister any ultimatums. When you need to made the decision, however close to the wedding, I would find out if your father will go and then make your decision based on this - and how you feel at the time, which may be different to now.

In your shoes I think I would get some counselling in the coming months to ensure that all the past was really behind me, including any hurt you may feel (sorry if I am projecting in here but that is what I wonder) about your sister having made a relationship with your father.

In your shoes, if I went, I would not take my kids, assuming there is someone who can look after them for the day. Whether or not I took my dh would be something I considered. I'd make sure my sister knew how many were coming so she did not cater for the whole family if they were not coming (that's the practical administrator in me!).

I'd go to support my mum, if she attends, as well as to be with my sister on her day. I'd asked to be seated next to my mum. I'd stay as long as I wanted to or as long as my mum wanted to.

I would not worry about wider family or what they thought or did not think.

I'd tell my sister if I was not willing to be photographed with my father and if there was a mix up and such a photo was called I'd head for the loo.

I am aware I am in the minority and I am not speaking from personal experience. At my wedding the photographer commented something like he could not remember the last time he had married a couple where both sets of parents were still married to the original spouse! Between my parents, parents-in-law and sister-in-law they had over 100 years of married life! BUT just because I have not been there doesn't mean that I can't see it from your perspective or have an opinion.

I do think someone made a very valid point about repercussions. There might be some. You are responsible for your own actions so don't mess your sister around or make her choose, just IMHO.

She's already had one wedding which you attended and your father did not. A lot of people miss weddings for ill health and I am guessing missed flights or all manner of things. Some weddings miss their guest as couples elope or go somewhere exotic and so pricey no one can follow! It is not such a massive deal IMVHO but it may be to your sister so you do need to know how she feels as well as how you feel.

Your sister's big day is about her marrying her beloved, not about exactly how many family members are or are not there. I would have been very sad if my sister was not at my wedding and you do need to think about your relationship with your sister in a calm way. Because I do agree you may be cutting off your nose in a sense and missing her big day because of the presence of your father, and you may regret it.

When all is said and done a wedding is not such a big deal IMHO, it is just a day, and relationships are what really count. So no one should be making anyone stay away but equally no one should be making anyone attend!

All the very best for whatever you decide to do.

Italiangreyhound · 06/01/2015 00:34

oopse long!

The photographer photographed us not married us!

BathshebaDarkstone · 06/01/2015 04:55

If you know it's going to create an atmosphere don't go. Smile

MythicalKings · 06/01/2015 05:09

YABU. You are making your sister's wedding about you.

BathtimeFunkster · 06/01/2015 05:15

She can invite who she wants to and every one of those people can make a decision about whether or not to attend.

Getting married doesn't put you in charge of a day.

If your father's presence means you don't want to attend the wedding, then don't attend.

It's an invitation, not a summons.

Alibalibumblebee · 06/01/2015 05:16

I have a very complex family history that includes no contact with my father through choice except for 2 family occasions in 43 years.

How you are feeling is a very normal human reaction to what has gone on in your life but I have to say YABVU in your approach to the wedding. I also think its important to say you will never feel peace if you dont go to the wedding so in my mind its better to go and be there for your sister and be unsettled afterwards, than to not go and miss your sisters wedding and be unsettled afterwards.

Alibalibumblebee · 06/01/2015 05:17

Oh and perhaps your sister didn't tell you had invited your father because she knew this would be your reaction and she just can't face it - she can't face knowing you will probably not go if your father is there.

HelloItsStillMeFell · 06/01/2015 05:33

I completely understand how you feel (your situation is in many ways a carbon copy of my own and I also chose to go NC with my Dad in later years as I was sick of always being his last priority growing up) but I really think you should go to the wedding no matter what. It's totally unfair to put your sister in a position where she has to choose between two people so close to her.

Go, but make it clear to your sister that you do not want to have to sit near him or speak to him at all. I don't know whether your father is likely to try to speak to you but perhaps you could ask your sister to request that he does not approach you on the day and if he tries you will leave.

Unless it's a very small wedding it should be perfectly manageable to avoid him the whole day without causing a scene or spoiling the atmosphere.

If he's giving her away and will make a speech at the reception you could just absent yourself from the room for a bit if you don't want to hear it.

my2centsis · 06/01/2015 05:40

YABVU and very selfish.

It really gets on my tits when people are so self obsorbed! Seriously who do you even think you are to tell her if she invites her own father to her own wedding your going to act like a spoilt brat and not go.

You would really hurt her like that? Make her choose between two people she loves sharing her own special day?

She's not asking for you to spend a week alone in a cabin with him ffs. You don't even have to speak to him!!

Do whats right for your sister op

HelloItsStillMeFell · 06/01/2015 05:43

My sister and I went to our grandmother's funeral knowing that our father would be there, we'd both been NC for a few years. When he came over outside the crematorium to speak to us afterwards, we made polite, if rather awkward conversation for a few minutes and when he said 'right then, let's all go back to the pub for a party' (which was typical of him) we both said 'No thanks, we have to get home. We've done what we came for and now we are ready to leave.'

He looked a bit hurt and humiliated but he didn't push it. A couple of our cousins tried to persuade us to stay but they understood why we wouldn't and they let us go without a big fuss or a scene. It was absolutely fine.

And actually, if you do boycott your DSis's wedding, what will you do when there is a funeral of someone close to you and he will be there? Will you boycott that as well? You need to get past this, otherwise it will control your life for years and people will think worse of you for it.

FrogIsATwat · 06/01/2015 05:52

I'm a bad actress smile and nod. Move away from him.
tbh you are being a bit precious now

MrsMaker83 · 06/01/2015 06:35

Yabvu.

shakemysilliesout · 06/01/2015 09:12

Yabu- lest we forget Olly murs and his brother are still fighting because Olly missed the wedding. Weddings I wouldn't miss: my children, my siblings.

Nick Lachey really didn't want to go to his grandmothers 2nd wedding but he did and even sang a song. All around the world people are sucking it up and going to weddings.

Johnlewispenguin · 06/01/2015 15:07

"It's not for you or your mother to enjoy the day. It's for her. And both of you should be there for her."

So there you have it OP, family weddings are to be endured, not enjoyed, as long as the B&G have a wonderful day it can be awful for everyone else. I hope that's you told.

Where are all the usual 'it's about the marriage not the wedding'? comments. It's one day. Think about your long term relationship with your DSis and about the possible consequences, and make a decision you can live with long term.

Writerwannabe83 · 06/01/2015 15:13

YABVVVU.

You cannot tell your sister she had to choose. It's her Wedding day and she understandably wants her dad there. If you choose not to go based on that, then fair enough that's your right, but forcing (blackmailing) her to choose between you both is very very unfair.

Iforgottotellyou · 06/01/2015 15:59

Hi, I don't think yabu at all.
I was nc with a family member for 15 years and crossed paths at a family funeral which I felt I had to attend but was dreading as knew this person would be there. I just wanted to go along and keep myself to myself, pay my respects and go home, but this family member kept badgering me all day and I said I didn't want to be involved with them. They lost their temper and ended up shouting and swearing at me and anyone who tried to intervene. It ruined the day and upset everyone there. As a result I will not be attending any other family funerals.

ProcrastIWillFinishThisLater · 06/01/2015 16:08

YANBU at all. This isn't some silly argument that will blow over, you have been estranged, by choice, for 20 years. If you don't want to see him, you can't go to the wedding. Just decline the invitation.

FaFoutis · 06/01/2015 16:15

YABU.

I recently went to a family event when I knew my stepfather would be there, I hadn't seen him for 20 years either and he is a monster. I did it for my mum, I'm glad I did and it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I will never see him again, hopefully.
Just keep your distance, it can be done.