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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wedding dilemma

80 replies

SheeshKebab · 08/06/2019 09:40

Not really an AIBU but posting for traffic 😉

So we're planning our wedding. I have a relative who can't fly due to health reasons but our dream is to get married in Italy. She is also technically my bridesmaid, I asked her 2 years ago when we got engaged but since then, there's been family arguments and I don't think she really likes me🤨so maybe she won't even want to be a bridesmaid anymore, I haven't asked her cause she's very difficult to talk to.

I said to my fiance that we can only get married in Italy if it was just us and our parents. It's really unfair to invite the rest of our families knowing that she can't come. He says it's our day and we should do whatever we want.

What do we do?

OP posts:
motherofcats81 · 08/06/2019 10:41

Yes, most people in your SIL's situation would be upset if they couldn't make it (though it does sound like there are options with trains/driving, I know multiple people who have done this to get to weddings in Italy) but they would feel much worse about getting someone to plan their entire wedding around them. Given she's even complaining about having to travel a couple of hours in the UK it doesn't really sound like she cares very much about what you want OP!

She doesn't have to fly, you could look at organising for at least one car to drive over that she could be in, and if she refuses to do so that is on her. I wouldn't scrap your dream wedding for someone that doesn't seem to give a toss how you feel about it, tbh.

SheeshKebab · 08/06/2019 10:42

@FrancisCrawford @getoffthetablemabel

I know you're both right too. I feel bad that my fiance won't get what he wants, that's so unfair.

OP posts:
Eliza9919 · 08/06/2019 10:48

Don't prioritise some you aren't even blood related to over him and his wants then.

AJPTaylor · 08/06/2019 10:49

The difficulty is that you can compromise and end up pleasing nobody, least of all yourself.
Be brutally honest with yourself. Scope out and cost out your dream wedding. How many would come- be realistic. How much will it cost you and the guests. Then make the decision. You can't make this relative happy so it shouldn't be high up in your list of priorities.

MoveOnTheCards · 08/06/2019 10:49

I agree with the view that your fiancé’s wishes trump your SIL’s when it comes to his wedding! Sounds like her attitude and behaviour has reached a tipping point. Can your sibling help with suggestions on how to navigate SIL’s (potential) role and attitude?

Blondebakingmumma · 08/06/2019 10:55

Prioritize your fiancé’s wants as it’s his wedding. When you are married you have to put his needs and wants (within reason) over other family members. I’d book and tell your family in a group and offer a car to drive everyone. That way she can’t retell the story and spin it to make you feel bad. Don’t ask her permission, because she will say no and then will look worse when you go ahead and book despite her opinions

Fromage · 08/06/2019 10:56

It's not her wedding. If/when/she did get married, her wedding, her choices.

You don't even have to have a confrontation. Send her and your sibling an invitation, put in an extra note to say that you really really would like her to be there and if there's anything you can do to help, given her difficult circs, you'd be happy to do whatever you can. Now, a normal person would take 'anything I can do' as 'anything I can do that you can't' and wouldn't assume that it would involve you paying for a private air ambulance for her or something.

Lots of people you invite won't be able to come because it's expensive going abroad for someone's weding but of course you understand that, and won't throw a tantrum about it. If your SIL has the hump, that's her business. You are not responsible for her feelings or her reactions. This is unfortunately a situation where she might be unable to attend and only the weirdest person would be upset at not being able to attend the wedding of a woman they clearly dislike.

So I would extend an invitation, and stop letting her have this power and control over you, which has extended to you being afraid to have the wedding you want. And that's a big shame, isn't it? When you look back at your wedding photos, will you be happier with your perfect wedding in Italy, or a lovely wedding closer to home, with your SIL scowling in the background? Do you want to look at photos and think 'well, SIL hates us, but we had a lovely wedding' or 'it was a nice day, worth the sacrifice to keep SIL happy?' Because if SIL is as volcanic as you suggest, she might just try to find a drama wherein she is the victim and you and dh are the baddies, even if you let her plan the whole thing. And for people like that, they wait for you to do something, then work out how they can cause you bother and garner sympathy for themself.

OK I'm now massively projecting, but think about what the likeliest scenario is, and think if it's worth it.

I'd be interested to know what has caused the fall out, too.

EL8888 · 08/06/2019 11:01

@Fromage all very good points. I’m guessing there are lots of other back stories and this is why your husband feels the way he does. I divorced my first husband for a number of things, including putting his parents and siblings often ahead of my wants / needs. She should be a lot further down the pecking order than she is

EnjoyItAll · 08/06/2019 11:14

We changed our mind and went abroad to get married. I made it very clear to the handful of guests that were invited that we would be having a party in the U.K. after so would still be able to celebrate with us if they couldn’t attend and also kept reminding people if they couldn’t we would 100% understand. If you want to get married in Italy do. Don’t let one guest not attending stop your plans. You only intend to get married once so do it the way you want to and celebrate back home after.

Drum2018 · 08/06/2019 11:17

If nobody has called her out on her behaviour and moods can you at least talk to your brother about it? Has he stood by her when she has behaved badly? To be honest, your fiancé can't stand her so I'd be taking him into consideration more than her. Whatever has happened in the past couple of years has diminished relationships so she'll hardly expect to be a bridesmaid now. Have your wedding in Italy, invite who you want but don't expect that everyone will go if it's going to cause tension within the family. Or have a family wedding at home and save the money for a fabulous honeymoon in Italy. I know what I'd do if I had my time over - registry office, family meal and then have the most amazing honeymoon for a month abroad.

SheeshKebab · 08/06/2019 11:33

Thanks for all the replies, it's given us so much to think about.

My brother does fiercely stand by my SIL and is very protective. Probably due to everything that has happened health-wise which I totally understand.

I think we are now veering towards Italy more but doing it in a way that hopefully means she can come. We would be happy to pay for her, whatever she needs. For the sake of my brother and the rest of the family, it's worth it.

OP posts:
Yabbers · 08/06/2019 11:36

You can get to Italy without flying. If she really wants to get there, she will.

fecketyfeck21 · 08/06/2019 13:04

it's good you are trying to include her as you were probably going to anyway. but lets hope you're not back at a later date with a sil spoilt my wedding day thread.

Moneybegreen · 08/06/2019 13:24

Oh, I assumed she was your fiancées sister.

So not a direct relative, isn't very nice to you, and expects your wedding to revolve around her. A good friend would tell you to have the wedding you wanted and would give you her best wishes.

Go to Italy.

EL8888 · 08/06/2019 14:38

^l too thought fiancés sister. She is even further removed than l thought. Even more of a no now!

Namechangeishard · 08/06/2019 15:14

You can get to Italy without flying. If she really wants to get there, she will

^agree with pp. Book where you actually want it and have the wedding of your dreams.

Andylion · 08/06/2019 15:53

So we're planning our wedding. I have a relative who can't fly due to health reasons but our dream is to get married in Italy. She is also technically my bridesmaid, I asked her 2 years ago when we got engaged

Did she have health issues that meant she couldn't fly when you asked her to be BM? Was the plan to get married in Italy at that point? I don't know if it makes a difference but wondered if she is ticked off that you asked her to be BM then made plans that would make it difficult for her to actually attend.

But it is your wedding and I wouldn't plan around someone who seems to be difficult.

Merryoldgoat · 08/06/2019 15:54

I think you’re conflating several issues:

  1. Your SIL has become difficult since her illness and no one will confront her.
  1. SIL is supposed to be your bridesmaid but could be so unpleasant your day gets ruined.
  1. You want to get married in Italy but it may mean your SIL can’t go.

You need to assess things logically.

Can SIL genuinely not fly or travel for long periods? Or is she being difficult? Would you rather get married in Italy than have her attend? Do you want the location more than the attendees?

The answers to all of those questions will inform where you have your wedding.

I don’t understand why people put up with the terrible behaviour from others. The idea you’d have a bridesmaid you can’t talk frankly to, that is capable of ruining your wedding day is beyond me.

And your brother being loyal is one thing. Facilitating bad and ungracious behaviour is another.

Banhaha · 08/06/2019 17:02

Ah as it's only siblings spouse then I'd just do what you want. Unless you feel strongly that you want her there. If sibling is able to come without her then that's fine, loads of people in couples go without their partner and the partner usually just accepts they can't come. You can still invite her but maybe say I know you might find the travel difficult so please don't get stressed if you can't make it? If it was Fiance's sister then i stick with my suggestion of asking her. There's no point arranging your wedding around someone who isn't nice to you if they arent immediate family and neither of you want her there!

Banhaha · 08/06/2019 17:06

Oh, and sorry if you've already addressed this (I did try and read through all the posts to catch up). But was the plan for her to be your only bridesmaid? If it was then whatever you decide on location do you have someone else who you like who can be a bridesmaid too? So that if you do still have SIL as bridesmaid you have someone else there too so her role is kept minimal. Did SIL seem keen to be bridesmaid?

SheeshKebab · 08/06/2019 19:14

We were a really close family so it was never a question of her not being there. It's just her behaviour/moods that have made us consider it. I don't know if we are being unfair because maybe it's all down to her being ill?🤷

My sister is my other bridesmaid so that's okay 😊

OP posts:
SheeshKebab · 08/06/2019 19:15

Sorry yeah SIL was very keen to be bridesmaid. She was really excited about it. We haven't spoken about it for ages though as the planning got pushed back and has only just started up again.

OP posts:
SheeshKebab · 26/06/2019 08:16

Little update...

SIL & Bro are going on holiday soon, they're flying😏

So we're booking our wedding in Italy!

Very excited 😆🍾

OP posts:
AmIRightOrAMeringue · 26/06/2019 08:27

Hi OP

I got married abroad (long haul) and had a couple of elderly relatives who couldn't fly. Plus a best friend with kids who couldn't travel in them time. I did the legal part of the wedding over here in a registry office just with them and no one else and went out for a nice meal with them after

Fromage · 26/06/2019 13:00

Hurray! Glad she's well enough to fly.

Thank goodness it's worked out without a confrontation.

Have a wonderful wedding!

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