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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Brother’s wedding reception

406 replies

VitaSackville · 11/09/2019 15:25

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3671262-Brother-s-Wedding

I don’t know if my first attempt at a link has worked.

Last time I posted some people complained that my post was incomprehensible. I hope that I do better this time.

Essentially my brother eloped a year after my father refused to go to his wedding because he didn’t extend an invitation to my husband.
Last time people accused my father of bullying and trying to buy spaces at a small wedding because I was upset at my husband and children not making the cut. I refute both of these interpretations.

My brother had wanted a civil wedding followed by a meal at a restaurant owned by a celebrity chef. Well an invitation has arrived now at this restaurant but again for my parents, my two cousins and me. No invitation for my DH. It is an invitation from my SiL’s mother and step-father.

I don’t want a repeat of last year but I am hurt. We have asked my dad not to get involved but my mum has asked if they could pay for 3 extra places but my brother said there was no room around the table.
She asked him if he would be upset if his new wife was excluded from cousin’s forthcoming wedding. He conceded that he would because cousin is inviting partners but He isn’t.

He went on to ask her if she was suggesting that he didn’t invite some of his friends in order to invite my DH. Mum felt that a celebration could include more than one table!
My eldest cousin has said he is going without his wife so there is no drama between them. My cousin who is getting married hasn’t replied. I just don’t know what to do. I am really upset and embarrassed that my DH and my children have been excluded like this.
I thought we had recovered from the engagement/wedding drama but now this.
Brother has said that he will be hurt and embarrassed if my parents don’t go.

OP posts:
leomama81 · 12/09/2019 19:26

Of course it's a personal decision but what a selfish decision.

Some people have social anxiety, or really don't like being centre of attention/ in a big crowd or having to entertain. I have one friend who really really didn't want a big wedding for that reason. His parents forced him, and he was anxious and uncomfortable the whole time.

Who was being selfish there??

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 19:41

@leomama81 you can have a small enough wedding without leaving out husband and wifes

Commonwasher · 12/09/2019 19:49

I see why you and your parents are so offended but I can’t see how you can change anything, and even if B/SIL gave into pressure - how awks for your hubby knowing he is there in place of people the bride and groom preferred to invite.

Your husband might be offended by your bother, but surely he must also be quite touched at just how highly his parents in law regard him and how hard they have tried to ensure he is included in this wedding?

The bottom line is that the couple want a meal in an expensive, exclusive restaurant to celebrate their wedding, they are limited by the cost/space. It’s not what’s important to everyone in a wedding but if that is what they really want there is no point in causing a fuss. Encourage your parents to attend and either go and smile or decline politely and send flowers wishing them well.

Lulu49 · 12/09/2019 19:53

Just refuse the invite

user1511042793 · 12/09/2019 19:54

I wouldn’t go simple as that. To not invite your husband I find disgraceful. Just decline.

Howyiz · 12/09/2019 20:21

Sorry @redappleandaquamarinebow1987 do you know the family personally because otherwise your comment is beyond stupid! How the fuck would you know definitively whether that is or isn't the case?

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:24

I don't understand the issue, your DB has excluded ALL in-laws not just your DH. So there's no need for you to be so offended. And regarding the DC, it would be a complete waste of money at an expensive restaurant (assuming they are young).

Exactly!

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:27

If I were DB, in addition to eloping, I don’t think I ‘d invite OP to the celebrity chef fine dining experience let alone the DH. Too much drama.

Dollymixture22 · 12/09/2019 20:29

He hasn’t exactly excluded all in laws though. Strictly speaking a step parent is also an in law - related only by marriage.

His wife’s step father was invited. I don’t see the difference between a step father and a brother in law.

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 20:30

@Howyiz do you really think the parents would be this protective about him being invited or not if that was the case, plus OP said there was no bad blood or issues between both parties. It just sounds like the brother was a rude selfish git

GorkyMcPorky · 12/09/2019 20:30

The 'your wedding, your choice' mantra at the expense of courtesy to close family disgusts me. YANBU and I just wouldn't go. I recently went to one but my presence was really obviously a matter of indifference to the B&G and that will affect my relationship with them going forward.

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:33

They are all drama llamas but OP could detach. Instead she's whining to the parents and canvassing the cousins opinions. All unnecessary twattery

Indeed!

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:35

I can’t believe that my mutual friend’s partner is going because he happens to be a friend of brother

Rephrase: my brother’s dear friend is going to this special meal

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:37

Hats off to your brother and SIL for starting off for untangling themselves and starting their married life prioritising each other’s needs and not bowing to the emotional manipulation to which you are all subjecting them.

Hear, hear 👏 👏

Howyiz · 12/09/2019 20:40

@redappleandaquamarinebow1987 and the way the OP speaks about her brother in derogatory terms you think that is normal in a loving relationship? Do you honestly think there is only one side to this story?
Confused

Aridane · 12/09/2019 20:44

Stroppy has it spot on

DB and SIL want a very small get together at a celebrity chef's restaurant. The sort of place you book 6 months in advance for a table, and they can't just "pop another table on the end". I've been to a (very) few of those and they were amazing. And eye-wateringly expensive. If DB wants his closest friends, his parents, his sister and a cousin he's very close to to celebrate with him, it's ridiculous to expect him to double the size of the party to accomodate everyone's partners when that's not who he cares about.

DH isn't being excluded because he's DH. He's excluded because all the partners (obviously not parents) are excluded. OP is expecting her husband to be the exception.

How crass try to invite extras to an intimate occasion meal

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 20:47

@Howyiz pretty sure the way she feels about him now is the result of his guest list choice. If my husband was excluded from a event such as a wedding reception I would have very few kind words for the person and cut future contact. It certainly would show who true family is and would make christmas a lot cheaper in future

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 20:48

@Aridane how crass to not invite family and yes direct in laws are family

Howyiz · 12/09/2019 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 21:04

@Howyiz but these things could well be the case. Is OP suppossed to pretend her brother is someone he is not

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 21:07

@Howyiz also none of that is in any way an indicator of abuse

saraclara · 12/09/2019 21:09

How his new wife is 'the only reason' his life has turned around rather than by his own interests and hard work?

Well you really have worked hard on twisting the OP's words there, @Howyiz She didn't say that at all. She said that the new SIL was lovely and had turned his life around. That could mean anything as you don't know in what way she turned it around. There was no 'only reason' and it certainly wasn't an insult to anyone.

Howyiz · 12/09/2019 21:15

@ redappleandaquamarinebow1987 Yes he MIGHT be, the OP MIGHT be a complete nut job who always has to be the center of attention.
The point I am trying to make to you is that none of us 'clearly' know anything, because we don't actually know these people. The fact that you are trying to make factual statements based on your situation is just ludicrous. There 'clearly' could be any number of reasons why he does not want his bil there. He is perfectly entitled to invite who he likes, whether you or the OP like it. She can always decline if she wants!

matteroffactly · 12/09/2019 21:55

I wouldn't go. He really doesn't understand family and neither does his bride to be for agreeing to this. Even if he dislikes your husband, he is your husband and to exclude your kids is very sad too. I understand wanting a small wedding, but to me that is just parents and close family & best friends.

redappleandaquamarinebow1987 · 12/09/2019 21:56

@Howyiz do you really think the family would be so supportive of her if she was an attention seeking nut job? the usual rational answer would be no. Of course he can invite who he wants. That does not mean he is free of critisim or consequences though. His choice caused a rift in the family that is a fact

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