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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Wedding dropout

172 replies

Poppymonty3 · 14/05/2022 17:53

I have been planning my wedding for 3 years and it is now two weeks away. My older brother rang me today to say my 15 year old nephew won't be coming because he has decided to go on holiday with his mum (brother and nephews mum are seperated) I have given my brother a hard time because I can't believe he is telling me this two weeks before my wedding. I have spent a lot of money per guest and have brought gifts for my nephew. I love my nephew to bits and have a lot to do with him, so I am gutted he won't be there. My brother has said he can't "tell him what to do" because he is 15 years old. I disagree massively, he is a child and he shouldn't be choosing to drop out a couple of weeks before? If I had known this months ago it would have been much better. My brother doesn't see my point of view. I will have to change my seating plan which has been printed as his name is on it. I have fallen out with my brother now tk the point where he is also now not coming to my wedding. He has not apologised for my nephew not coming or offered to help pay for him not being there. I am really disappointed with my nephew but I feel his Dad should put his foot down about it? Am I blowing things out of proportion?

OP posts:
hardboiledeggs · 14/05/2022 21:10

I get why you are upset but your DB can’t do anything about it. Yabu

fairgame84 · 14/05/2022 21:27

Its not your DBs fault. Unfortunately it's very difficult to force a 15yo to do something they don't want to especially if the parents aren't on the same page.
Can't you speak to ex-sil or do you not get on?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 14/05/2022 21:39

I’d be disappointed and hurt but the reality is, no one else cares as much about your wedding as you do. I think you’ve blown it out of proportion.

countdowntonap · 14/05/2022 21:41

Sound like a fucking nutter, tbh

thewhatsit · 14/05/2022 21:45

Are you really aware just how little a 15 year old will care about your wedding?
He might love you dearly but it’s a wedding … even most adults find them difficult.

purpleboy · 14/05/2022 21:57

Your brother and SIL should of brought their son up better, it's incredibly rude to cancel, especially just because he had a better offer.

thewhatsit · 14/05/2022 22:26

And also yes you’re blaming the wrong person. Please don’t ruin your relationship with your brother over this!
He absolutely can’t force him to go to this .. and he is only one of his parents, the other one is the one who has booked whatever it is and that’s the mother, who you may or may not have any kind of relationship with anymore.

I remember being a bridesmaid at a similar age. I took it fairly seriously I guess but it was absolutely an obligation and no part of it was enjoyable. I was also very much still a child and if my parents had spring a holiday on me or given me another option that day I probably would have jumped on it.

You’ve also not given many details but it sounds like something he does yearly with his mother. Maybe he didn’t know they clashed until now. Perhaps he feels like he is letting someone down either way - and mother always trumps aunt.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 14/05/2022 23:25

I can see why you would be annoyed at your nephew, it is rude of him to drop out this close to the wedding. But he’s 15! Teenagers are often rude and inconsiderate and I don’t think it’s surprising he’s putting a holiday ahead of a wedding.

YABU to be annoyed at your brother though. Your nephew is 15, he can hardly force him to go to the wedding. If your nephews mum has arranged a holiday how is your brother supposed to stop him going? You can’t exactly lock a 15-year-old in the house or stop him from going away with his mum if that’s what he wants to do. Plus even if your brother could somehow forbid his son from going on holiday would you really want your nephew at the wedding sulking and resenting the fact he has to be there instead of the holiday he wanted to go on?

You really have blown this out of proportion being so annoyed at your brother considering there really wasn’t much I can see he could do about it. It would be different if your nephew was younger but at 15 he’s old enough to make this kind of decision and your brother really can’t do much about it regardless of how upset you are.

TalkingCat · 15/05/2022 01:18

I don't understand what this has to do with your brother. The boy is 15, not 5. He isn't a child, he is old enough to come and go as he likes and do what he wants.

I don't understand why you don't call your nephew and speak to him personally. What business is it of your brother's? Yeah, he's his father but as a I said he is 15, you don't need to use your brother as intermediary. Why can't you call your nephew yourself and express how disappointed you are? Speak to him yourself, he may change his mind if he knows what his dropping out is doing to you.

TalkingCat · 15/05/2022 01:54

Also, apologise to your brother. You've behaved disgracefully and are clearly a real Bridezilla - poor your bridesmaids! I can only imagine how you've treated them. As to seating plans, who gives a shit? No one sees the seating plan except you, and no one cares.
But because of your tantrum, your brother is not coming. You have really overreacted and gone full bridezilla and attacking your brother for something that isn't even his business anyway, I presume the mother has custody? I am wondering how you will cope if/when at least one person/possibly a few are no show-ers due to Covid? You'll probably be catatonic with rage, if this is how you're behaving now. How will you cope with Covid dropouts?

The wedding is ONE...DAY. One stupid fucking day. It's about your future lifelong marriage. Think about that, put it in perspective. Too many brides make such a drama over a reception. It's supposed to be about your marriage. Not the 'wedding'. You've lost sight of what it's all about. Seriously, you have a very strong apology to make to you brother, and you better make it a bloody good one, so get on with it and go pick up the phone now! Then, call your nephew and speak to him yourself.

CarbsAreNotMyFriend · 15/05/2022 02:09

I totally get it, it's hurtful and sad to think of your nephew choosing not to be at your wedding 😭

But please, make things right with your brother, tell him how important it is to you that he is there. Don't let this become a family rift. Your hurt is totally understandable, but don't let it affect things with your brother.

Dad808 · 15/05/2022 02:16

Sounds like they need a shared calendar to avoid double bookings (or was this done intentionally by the nephews mother?) Hmmmmm

KurriKawari · 15/05/2022 02:28

I really don't understand the deal with seating plans either. I go to numerous weddings and none of them have had seating plans - you have a top table, a few tables reserved for immediate family and then anyone else is free to sit wherever they like.

HandshakesInTheHamptons · 15/05/2022 02:32

I think most people would choose a holiday over a wedding, definitely at 15. It’s ridiculous to fall out with your brother and of course he shouldn’t tell his son that he has to attend your wedding over a holiday with his mum. You are clearly in full wedding mode and not thinking straight. The seating plan can be redone. It’s a wedding, it’s not worth this much drama and fallout.

DaisyQuakeJohnson · 15/05/2022 02:34

YABUVVVU. He's 15. A holiday with his mum is much more important and fun than an aunty's wedding. And it isn't a big deal to change a seating plan or cancel a meal. We had relatives who were supposed to be working but then on the morning of the wedding their work schedule changed. We called the caterers and the venue, and added them to the seating plan. Two phone calls at most. Not a big deal. And that was the morning of our wedding.
Grow up and apologise.

amysaurus87 · 15/05/2022 02:38

At least he's told you. I had 4 people just not turn up for my wedding! And we didn't even get an apology after!

I wouldn't worry about the seating plan, just confirm for sure with your brother that your nephew isn't coming and let your venue know there will be one person less, you might find they can refund you the cost of nephew's plate as you've given them a bit of notice.

knockyknees · 15/05/2022 02:42

If the exSIL knew about the wedding, is she the type to have booked the holiday deliberately at this time for her own spiteful reasons?

UniversalAunt · 15/05/2022 03:05

@Poppymonty3 YABU but understandably you are feeling the pressure of the wedding, after three years in the planning & waiting all through Covid, looming with so much to do & someone switching their plans will feel like a knock. But as much as this day is important to you, there is time still & the vagaries of life to come so there is a chance that others may drop out as well. Please try not to take the disappointment so personally as you run the risk of cutting off your nose to spite your face. So far you have laid into your brother about something beyond his control & now you have lost his goodwill. Scrap the printed seating plan as definitive, there is always adjustments for cancellation or unexpected guests.

Yes, your nephew is special to you.
But he is 15 yo & you are just his aunt.

In a couple of weeks it is UK half-term for most schools, reasonably his mum has booked somewhere for a holiday for her family. He is just 15, he wants to go on holiday with his mum somewhere that he knows & likes.

After Covid lockdown, disruption of school & friendships, the existential threat of war/economic meltdown & the slings & arrows of outrageous adolescence, the kid would rather go on a familiar holiday with his family than spend a day togged up at your wedding with his dad where he doesn’t know anyone & there is nothing for him to do.

To have expected him to be an Usher & undertake responsibility of turning up on the day to perform formal duties is too much. I would not ask this of my 15yo nephew as it’s enough for him to manage a school uniform, travel a few miles & get his homework done on time - he has to apply himself to this otherwise he’d rather be off all day doing what whatever floats his boat.

If he were an adult, I would expect him to take the responsibility of letting you know himself rather than having his dad do it. But he is not, so Dad did that for him.

Do yourself a favour, take a big deep breath & make up with your brother.
He may still make it to your wedding.

Ohwowhoho · 15/05/2022 03:15

I understand why you’re upset but honestly what do you want your brother to do? Your nephew is 15 years old, he can’t pick him up and carry him there. He isn’t with your ex sil so it’s not like he can overrule her either. If he says he can’t go on holiday but Mum says he can then obviously he’s going to go. I really don’t know what you want your brother to do, you’re making things harder for yourself.

expat101 · 15/05/2022 03:28

knockyknees · 15/05/2022 02:42

If the exSIL knew about the wedding, is she the type to have booked the holiday deliberately at this time for her own spiteful reasons?

this was my thought too.

Do you still talk to your former SIL? I would be having a chat to her about the timing and if she knew all about the wedding, then say to expect to be reimbursed for what you have paid for his meal etc.

BadNomad · 15/05/2022 03:31

At 15 years old, your nephew is not a child. He has chosen to break a commitment he made to you to be an usher at your wedding and left it for his father to explain. That is bad form, and you're right to be disappointed. Who knows if ex-SIL knew the holiday she booked would clash with your wedding, but it doesn't really matter. Your nephew is the one who made this decision. Your brother isn't to blame.

CJsGoldfish · 15/05/2022 03:33

If you are as close as you claim to be to your nephew, why didn't you contact him? At 15, and being so close, it would have been nice if he spoke to you personally to apologise. Either way, you are over reacting. 3 years is a long time to plan a wedding so I can understand how important it is to you. Unfortunately, a 15 yr old just isn't going to understand that and, tbf, not many are going to see it as you do.

You need to apologise to your brother.

WalrusSubmarine · 15/05/2022 03:43

I don’t think you are being that unreasonable. It’s obviously important to you and you shouldn’t be made to feel like it’s not. I don’t think a 15 year old would appreciate just how much time and effort goes into a wedding and that it is a one off big deal for you but I’d hope your brother had more of an idea so as not to go off in a huff.

I’d hazard a guess that you’ve done your share of others weddings, baby showers, etc and now it’s your turn you’d hope you were treated with the same level of respect.

PurassicJark · 15/05/2022 03:55

I think both sides are unreasonable.

The brother and son are because they made a commitment, the son is part of the wedding party and they will have known about this holiday long before now. Changing their minds this close is too late, they could have done it months ago.

But you are being unreasonable for the reaction. And I do wonder what has caused this sudden change of heart too.

godmum56 · 15/05/2022 04:11

"I love him so he should be MADE to come to my wedding" are you aware of how horrible this sounds?

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