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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For not wanting my cousin to sing at my wedding?

267 replies

grimreefer · 24/02/2024 07:40

My partner and I are getting married abroad. We have spent the last four years saving for our wedding of our dreams.

My first cousin lives in abroad and is a musician in pubs. To be blunt while talented at guitar and songwriting - vocally they are awful. Before emigrating they never had any gigs because locally no bar would pay, but mummy and daddy have put them on a pedistool to the extent they think they’re the best thing going and will one day sell out Wembley. Can you see where this is going?

Long story short, I found out my cousin intends to bring their guitar and perform at the wedding. Her mum said it will be great for the family to have a sing song together. The problem is with my cousin it’s never a sing song together but their own private show. My partner and I have already organised our music for our wedding and we never invited my cousin to come and perform.

I messaged my cousin privately to confirm if this was true which it was, but they also asked if I wanted them to write a song for our wedding to perform. My partner and I really don’t enjoy their vocals and collectively agreed (with immediate family input) that we do not want them to perform at our wedding.

We advised my cousin that we have our musicians arranged and scheduled for our wedding and they should enjoy the time off, and that we are thankful for them for offering but we do not want them to bring their guitar to our wedding.

Uproar. Her mum has texted my mum stating I am being selfish and ridiculous, that her child doesn’t often see family and they don’t often get to see her perform so this would’ve been a great opportunity for everyone. Not only am I selfish but apparently I am jealous. My mum told her that as it is my wedding I am entitled to do what I want and that my aunty doesn’t have to go if she doesn’t want to.

AIBU? I’m not joking but they’re awful. Even reviews on the pubs they sing at say the same.

OP posts:
AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 24/02/2024 08:54

I sense this will end up being a situation where nothing else will get through but blunt honesty. In the first place though, I'd recite:

'If you want to arrange a family gathering so PC (pitchy cousin) can perform that would be great, but it doesn't fit with our vision for our day.'

Also like the idea of giving free rein at the family gathering the day after, if there is one.

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 08:55

I am sorry OP but this has made me crack up.

Just say absolutely not, all unauthorised guitarists will be taken outside and burnt. who cares if they sulk.

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 08:56

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 08:55

I am sorry OP but this has made me crack up.

Just say absolutely not, all unauthorised guitarists will be taken outside and burnt. who cares if they sulk.

Guitars, not guitarists. That might be a bit too harsh.

SallyWD · 24/02/2024 08:56

Oh it is hilarious!! You're completely right to say no however, I'm a bit of a people pleaser and I'd let them perform for 15 mins when your band has a break. It's probably when a lot of people will go to the toilet, get a drink etc. Even if your cousin's awful people will know you're just being kind to a family member. I'd make an announcement "and now my dear cousin has asked to perform a couple of songs for you" so everyone knows it was your cousin's idea!!

Baldieheid · 24/02/2024 08:56

It would be a huge nope from me. You're all set and you've made your choice.

Maybe she could set up a gig in a pub the day after, so her family can support her by choice, without her squawking dominating your wedding day?

Is she expecting to be paid by you? I bet she is......

Moveoverdarlin · 24/02/2024 08:58

If she brings the guitar, nominate some pissed bridesmaids and ushers to temporarily steal the guitar, that will guarantee nightmare cousin doesn’t sing and play.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 24/02/2024 09:01

I would go back to your aunt and say you are actually very upset she has tried to make your wedding all about her daughter. That while your cousin offered to perform as a kindness as she hadn’t realised you’d arranged musicians already, you think your Aunt has been incredibly rude to try to make your wedding about your cousin. You would never try to upstage the bride at a wedding and don’t understand why your Aunt thinks so little of you that she’d do this.

rewrite the narrative - your Aunt has tried to take over your wedding day and upstage the bride. Your aunt has been rude. (This does, however require you to pretend your cousin is good enough that her performance would have the potential to upstage you.)

WickedSerious · 24/02/2024 09:02

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 08:56

Guitars, not guitarists. That might be a bit too harsh.

Depends how bad she is.

MumMumMumMumMumMumMum · 24/02/2024 09:04

Outthedoor24 · 24/02/2024 07:44

Tricky one, your band will have a break at some point in the evening. Maybe let her sing for one or two songs in that 15min slot.

God, don't do that. There is no right or entitlement for her to sing. She's attention seeking. Hold firm!

Nicebloomers · 24/02/2024 09:04

msbevvy · 24/02/2024 08:03

What a cheek.

This isn't a thoughtful gesture on the cousin's behalf. It is an opportunity for a captive audience.

It is so not for your benefit that your aunt accused you of being "selfish" rather than "ungrateful".

This 100%. I feel for you!

Maireas · 24/02/2024 09:04

Please tell me she has pink hair and her repertoire includes The Streets of London.

Wizzadorra70 · 24/02/2024 09:07

This is where you need your bridesmaid/groomsmen/mates on guard. Any sign of a guitar, they need blocking. Because they will bring it. Egged on by Aunty.

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 24/02/2024 09:10

Yanbu. It's your wedding, not Britians Got Talent.

MinnieCauldwell · 24/02/2024 09:18

Maireas · 24/02/2024 09:04

Please tell me she has pink hair and her repertoire includes The Streets of London.

I could do a whole thread on The Streets of London episode I once endured...

OP hold firm, this is YOUR special day, paid for by YOU, cousin really needs telling she's attention seeking, this is not her moment.

Catza · 24/02/2024 09:25

Ignore the family bickering. It affects you not a single bit. Hold firm.

FloofCloud · 24/02/2024 09:25

That's really cheeky!! By all means the cousin can organise her own get together whilst the family are over for your wedding, but not at YOUR wedding!!
I'd text the mum and say as much, and ask her to rein in her child as it's not acceptable and highly cheeky

Moveoverdarlin · 24/02/2024 09:28

I’m imagining Phoebe Buffay…

ThePerfectDog · 24/02/2024 09:29

If this happened in our family there would be tears of laughter and masses of piss taking, the relationship would probably never recover because of that.

Im reminded of Ross wanting to play bagpipes at Monica and chandler’s wedding

Allshallbewell2021 · 24/02/2024 09:30

Let her sing at her own wedding 🤦‍♀️

QueSyrahSyrah · 24/02/2024 09:31

Tell them to get to fuck. As it happens I had the opposite problem, DH is a musician so there were a number of (talented) musicians at our very relaxed and informal wedding. I thought it would be nice to have a little open-mic bit of the evening but none of them were keen which was fair enough Grin

Also your spelling mistake did make me chuckle, for future reference it's 'pedestal' but I can see how you got to Pedistool.

diddl · 24/02/2024 09:33

Too late to not invite/change countries??

Marchintospring · 24/02/2024 09:33

MyGooseisTotallyLoose · 24/02/2024 07:43

'You know I can't smile without you
I can't laugh I can't sing' gives me total 4 weddings vibe!

Yes!
Tell your aunt this. You just can’t have them perform because it’s too cliched.

Can they not do a bit the night before if it’s just “ for the family”?

BounceHighBaby · 24/02/2024 09:34

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Fannyfiggs · 24/02/2024 09:35

theduchessofspork · 24/02/2024 08:56

Guitars, not guitarists. That might be a bit too harsh.

Definitely right the first time 🤣

Soontobe60 · 24/02/2024 09:35

Outthedoor24 · 24/02/2024 07:44

Tricky one, your band will have a break at some point in the evening. Maybe let her sing for one or two songs in that 15min slot.

Why? It’s their wedding, not the ‘crappy pub singer’ show!