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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my mum will forgive me?

260 replies

McGertie · 20/09/2017 14:44

For eloping abroad without telling her?

Background is been together 10 years, engaged for three. About to adopt (almost finished process) and always said we'd wait til kids were here for wedding. But now that it's come round we just want to be married. Have booked wedding abroad just us & 4 guests (who we're going on this holiday anyway already).

Can't tell my mum as she'll want to come which means DPs dad will want to, id have to invite my dad (knowing he couldn't come) as well as extended family etc. Suddenly turns into this big who-ha we don't want & cant afford. But I feel AWFUL for not telling my mum...

Would you forgive your daughter & understand or would you just be hurt?

OP posts:
Headofthehive55 · 21/09/2017 07:51

The Op doesn't have children so doesn't realise how hurtful it is.

billybagpuss · 21/09/2017 07:55

I'd be absolutely devastated, I'd try not to show it as they're adults and its their choice, but they'd see right through me. Having kids changes your life, you give them everything and for them to not even tell you about the most important day of your life, let alone preferring to share it with friends rather than you would be really really hurtful.

ShatnersWig · 21/09/2017 08:05

Headofthehive I don't have kids but I can see how hurtful it could be.

Elope? Fine.
Tell no one until after, throw a big party? Fine.
Use random people you don't know as witnesses? Fine.
Have one sibling there as a witness but keep it secret from parents and other siblings? Not fine.

NotTheDuchessOfCambridge · 21/09/2017 08:07

I'd be so so hurt if either of my children did this to me. Of course I'd be happy for them but It would feel like a punch in the stomach.

Soutty · 21/09/2017 08:08

I can't believe how many people are saying that it's your day, do what you look and your mum will just have to deal with it.

I got married when I was pregnant with my first and we didn't want and couldn't afford a big wedding.

My sister had fallen out with my dad at the time and said she wouldn't come unless he didn't come. There was no question in my mind that my mum and dad would not be at my wedding.

To even think of having a wedding without your mum and dad but to have your brother and his girlfriend there is VVVVU.

To think of doing it without telling them - I don't even know how anyone with a heart could do such a thing.

It's not about forgiveness. When my dad found out that my sister had given me the ultimatum about my wedding it cut him to the core. The thought that he could have been cut out of the day would have made him so sad. He never let my sister know how hurt he was and he never would have told me either had I chosen to prioritise her over him.

To those who say that years down the line all you remember is the day - that just isn't true.

My dad is no longer with us and every time I look at the wedding pictures with him in them looking so proud it makes me so happy.

Parental love is unconditional. They will forgive you, of course they will. The hurt that you're going to inflict will live with them forever and if you are any kind of human being the knowledge that you inflicted that hurt will live with you too forever once they have gone.

Because they will go one day and then you won't have these sorts of dilemmas to deal with.

You're perfectly within your rights to invite your mum, dad and stepdad and put your foot down about the extended family. If that guest list is too much then knock a couple of friends off and tell your brother that his girlfriend can't come.

If your dad can't afford to go abroad why are having a wedding abroad in the first place? If you really have your heart set on getting married abroad why not postpone and give a year's notice so that he can save up to come?

I would be so hurt if my children did this to me, I would be forever wondering what I did to deserve it. The fact that you're brother is going and she is not being told - it's just beyond awful.

I don't know what else to say OP. You are right to feel guilty and I can't see how you can enjoy your day tbh.

Headofthehive55 · 21/09/2017 08:20

wig
You clearly have empathy and emotional intelligence without the kids!

ShatnersWig · 21/09/2017 08:44

Head Maybe because of that Wink

Ragwort · 21/09/2017 09:15

for them to not even tell you about the most important day of your life - I guess it depends on whether you really believe a 'wedding day' is the most important day of your life Hmm?

I don't any one experience is the most important thing in my life - personally I think I have had a number of important, life changing experiences over my long (60 years Grin) life and wouldn't choose any one event as significantly more important than another - I have had two wedding days Grin, birth of children, career highlights, other achievements, death of loved ones etc etc - all those are significant experiences. In my opinion a wedding day is really not that important - and I am lucky that my parents feel the same way.

bookwormsforever · 21/09/2017 09:18

Sounds like there will be lots of people who will be upset. :(

I know it's your wedding, but if the wedding part of your trip is such a 'tiny little thing' (as you say), then why not get married at home so both your families can enjoy it, then go on the holiday with the friends you had originally planned to go with?

Think how you'd feel if your dc did this to you in 20 years.

Dowser · 21/09/2017 09:29

Can't see why your parents can't be there.
You don't have to invite every tom, dick and Harry, but your parents!

I'd have given my right arm to have my mum at my second wedding but it was too late , she was in a care home with severe dementia.

Dowser · 21/09/2017 09:31

Oh, and we had friends where the dad used to say in a big, bluff manner...oh just run away and get married.
So the lad did and his dad was devastated.
He felt like his best mate had let him down. It was like there had been a death in the family.

Mittens1969 · 21/09/2017 09:34

First of all, congratulations on the adoption, that's so exciting. I well remember how I felt after our panel approval, I couldn't believe we'd got to that point after all the heartache.

Re getting married, if one of my DDs did it, I would feel very hurt, but only because she didn't tell me, while telling 4 friends. That's the hurtful part. If she explained the reasons I could then get my head around it and understand.

Dowser · 21/09/2017 09:36

Well said soutty

My dd got married in Florida and her dh did not tell his df as he hadn't stuck up for him against his awful dm
He did ring him the day after though and they have now forged some sort of relationship.

We were all there though.

notanurse2017 · 21/09/2017 09:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Soutty · 21/09/2017 09:57

Ugh, just seen your batshit comment.

You are a CAUC. I feel sorry for your mother who will no doubt put a brave face on things and pretend to be as you put it "level headed" just to make you feel all right about yourself. Not that you would give a toss either way.

Oh well, what goes around comes around.

Mittens1969 · 21/09/2017 10:40

Hmm, I missed the update about the brother and his girlfriend being part of it. No, it wouldn't be fair to put them in the position of having to lie for you. You should just tell them and not let them guilt trip you into anything.

Here's a suggestion, which I've seen done before. Friends of ours got married in another country and those of us who were in the UK watched via Skype. Would that be a way of including your parents? Because I get the problem of him not being able to go.

McGertie · 21/09/2017 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

peachgreen · 21/09/2017 13:20

Glad it's all had a happy ending, OP. Smile Enjoy the wedding!

NotAgainYoda · 21/09/2017 15:59

So, the withdrawn message said mum's OK with it all ?

FrancisCrawford · 21/09/2017 15:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

2017SoFarSoGood · 21/09/2017 16:09

Ha. Well what do you know? Then why withdraw the post?

CotswoldStrife · 21/09/2017 16:57

Name change fail there Grin

McGertie2 · 21/09/2017 17:07

Withdrew as thought it was too outing!

But yes spoke to my DM & she was happy for me. Turns out she's doing the same thing & going abroad to marry my step-dad (not actually married) so totally understood need to not invite everyone.

deliverdaniel · 21/09/2017 17:11

sorry- I'd be really hurt, especially as you are going with friends. Weddings are about joining two families. Why don't you do a registry office with just immediate family near home and then go on your holiday as a celebration?

deliverdaniel · 21/09/2017 17:11

Oops- sorry- didn't read your update. Glad everyone is happy. Congratulations OP

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