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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel very cross with my ex over this (wedding invitation)? Long.

120 replies

Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 13:31

Last spring, me and my then-DP were invited to DP's friend's wedding which is to be in April 2025.

It was addressed to 'Me and DP' not 'DP and plus one' if that makes a difference. I think it does really but open to other's opinions.

Me and Ex split in September after 4 and a half years together.
It was an amicable break up, we didn't fall out or have cross words, we both just wanted different things and it was inevitable it would happen. We still speak, we check how one another is doing, have one another on social media, I sent DP's niece a christmas present etc etc.

Anyway not long after we split I asked Ex what we were doing about the wedding. I said I was happy to come as a friend, but if bride felt she'd rather invite someone else that was okay-there's also the matter of me having dietary preferences and if someone else was to take my place, this would need sorting with the venue, so best to address sooner rather than later.

I have a mutual friend with Ex DP and we had a natter last night and she asked if I was coming to the wedding. I said I'd check with Ex as I'd not heard back from her about what bride wanted. Friend did say 'Oh (bride) won't care you've split-she'll want you there!' but anyway, I checked with ex and the conversation went something to the lines of;

'Didn't think you'd want to come'

(me) 'Do you remember us discussing it a few months ago?'

'I remember u saying u would come but thought it might be awkward i mean I can ask again if u do ?'

(me) 'Ask again, what do you mean?'

'Bride's Mum took you off as I didn't think you would come' (Bride's Mum is organising things, I don't know bride's Mum myself).

(me) 'Why would you think I'd not come, I'd said I would? If you didn't want me to come, that's okay, you could've discussed that but why tell her I didn't want to come when I'd said I'd be happy to come?'

'It isn't that I didn't want u to come I just didn't think ud want to that's all'.

(me) 'What part of, I'll happily come as a friend could possibly mean I didn't want to come?'

Anyway, I'll elaborate more if people want but in essence ex has gone to the organiser of the wedding and told her that I don't want to come. Ex backtracked later in the conversation and said that bride's Mum had asked, and ex had said we'd split up. I haven't said anything but I simply do not believe this, why would she ask? She's never met me and isn't close to ex either-you don't tend to just ask out of the blue if someone invited is still coming?

I also told ex that if bride didn't want me there due to us splitting up, that would be fine-I can see why she might want to use 'my' place for someone else who she may see more of over the coming years but AIBU to think;

It wasn't my ex's place to make that decision?

Ex should've discussed it with me first-I was an invited guest

If Ex didn't want me to come, I'd have understood and we could have talked about that-I wouldn't want to make things awkward for anyone-however if that was the case I would have gone to the bride direct

And (my main issue with all of this) ex has made me look very rude and dismissive?

If it /was/ true, and I HAD decided not to go, I'd have gone to the bride directly, apologised and explained my reasons-not just told someone else (which I didn't) to 'get me taken off'.

And, ex saying 'I'll ask again' -I did say later on in the conversation that you just cannot mess people about like that with weddings, there's so much work goes into organising them as it is.

I don't really know what to say to the bride without looking as if I am hankering after an(other!) invitation, that is really not what I'd be doing-I just think ex has made me look like an ignorant ungrateful oik.

Further info-bride is someone I'd class as a friend, she came to my ('big') birthday a couple of years ago, we'd often socialise in a group however ex has known her much longer than I have so for this reason, I'd totally understand if she wanted to 'uninvite' me in place of someone closer to her. I just feel that that's up to her, not up to my ex DP.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 13/02/2025 16:52

Fmlright · 13/02/2025 13:42

It sounds like it would be weird if you did attend, you’re not a couple anymore and they’re his friends.

This.

MrsEG · 13/02/2025 16:55

Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 13:40

Definitely hasn't been honest here! A bride's Mum who doesn't know me has randomly asked if I am still coming... I just think that didn't happen.

I think you’re overthinking this element OP.
Bride and mum may have been looking at a table plan, said ‘oh they’ve split up now’, brides mum then reaches out to your ex to ask if you’re still attending or not. They’ve assumed no, and said so. Perfectly reasonable!

I’d honestly just let this one go.

Iceandfire92 · 13/02/2025 17:00

The ugly truth is that they are not your friends, they are his friends. He was friends with them first and it's highly unlikely he doesn't want you to come, therefore has orchestrated you being uninvited so he enjoys the wedding of his friends without having you present. You may have become friendly with them whilst you were a couple but ultimately their loyalties probably lie with him and you should back off and leave them to it.

From experience, there is nothing worse than your ex still sniffing around your friends after a break up, regardless of how well they got along whilst you were together. It can also look quite manipulative to others like you are still trying to keep an eye on them or get under their skin. I remember an ex messaging my friends to meet him for a drink without me after a break up, all I thought was fuck off!

HowToSaveAWife · 13/02/2025 17:34

You sound bolshy and hard work. Just let it go. The bride is weeks out from her wedding, I'm sure she has much more to deal with and also you'll only look like the bitter ex trying to have the last word over your ex.

Let. It. Go.

Endofyear · 13/02/2025 19:06

Just let it go. You were only invited because you were the partner of bride's friend, that is no longer the case. The ins and outs of what your ex said to the bride's mother just sounds like you being pedantic and petty - none of it really matters and I highly doubt you are important enough for the bridal couple to care whether you didn't want to come or your ex didn't want you to come. It sounds like you need to make a clean break and stop trying to be friendly with your ex. It's over so move on.

Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 19:37

In case I've not said it enough times, it isn't about me wanting to go to the wedding. I just don't want the bride to think I've just said 'I don't want to go' without as much as a polite decline of the invitation.

Anyway, ex has now backtracked further and said she misled me last night. Sent me screenshots of what she actually said and it isn't anywhere near as bad as she implied in the messages originally.

I have decided to only send the bride a message following the wedding, I don't want her to feel like I am putting her under pressure to include me after ex has already said not to. If I see her before then I will obviously explain in person.

Ex isn't taking anyone else, I did consider that myself and wouldn't have thought anything of that, I just didn't like the way it was handled. Ex has said they agree they should've asked me before assuming. Apologies for not coming back to my thread earlier, had just been busy-I will skim through replies now 🙂

OP posts:
Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 19:46

I will answer some things;

We both decided to remain friends, it isn't me pushing for that. I am helping ex with something currently-one reason she was concerned if I wanted to distance myself further, I said I'd still be there for her with that.

She's also said today (repeated) that she would have wanted me to go but genuinely thought I wouldn't want to. I did say that should've warranted a discussion, but it isn't unusual for her to do things like that if I am honest.

I don't see how I have 'created a drama' by being annoyed at my ex's handling of something. I haven't involved anyone else other than mutual friend's asking was I coming, which wasn't initiated by me.

I am definitely, definitely! Not angry about the break up.

I don't know why some posters are saying I deliberately 'covered up' the gneder-why would anyone do that?

I didn't refer to her as 'her' by accident anywhere either. I just wanted to try to make it clear who was who-if I'd have said 'she said/did this' for everyone I'd have probably had to give people names or something which I couldn't be bothered doing.

Again, not sure why people are saying 'don't go' etc, that wasn't ever the issue I was asking for help with.

Thank you to those who have been helpful, I have drawn it to a conclusion now 🙂

OP posts:
fingerbobz · 13/02/2025 20:10

Oh gosh. Do you still have feelings for him?

OneFineDay13 · 13/02/2025 20:29

Krest · 13/02/2025 13:47

Is it possible that your ex wants to take someone else in your place and hasnt been honest because he feels awkward saying that?

am thinking this also

Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 20:45

As I've said above, no she's not taking anyone else and it wouldn't have bothered me at all if she was. No feelings for her thankfully.

OP posts:
Eenameenadeeka · 14/02/2025 08:25

I think you are overthinking. You were only invited as ex's partner. The assumption for everyone (except you) is that you don't go, because you are no longer ex's partner. They won't be thinking you are rude or that you don't want to go- the normal assumption all around is that when people break up, they don't bring an ex as a date to a wedding.

TheyAreNotAngelsTheyDontCareAtAll · 14/02/2025 08:57

I am friends with 'Marty'
Marty has been in a relationship with 'Maria' for 4 and a half years. I know this because Marty is my friend.
I would address the invite to Marty and Maria because I know they were ostensibly, a couple. I would not write 'plus one' in reference to a LT partner; that's just manners. It does not confer special status, or indeed mean I want Maria to come alone - I've invited them as a couple. Maria is not my 'original' friend, Marty is.
BTW OP, you haven't said how well you know the bride. Do you see her without your ex, or is she someone you only saw with him because again, that makes a difference.

BlondiePortz · 14/02/2025 08:59

PrincessPeache · 13/02/2025 13:36

What a lot of fuss for nothing. You were only invited because you were his DP, now you’re not.

This sums it up perfectly

Boardgamedust · 14/02/2025 10:24

To clarify, I was still invited and this thread was never about the invitation or wedding itself. I've said that so many times! Mn is a strange place. The issue is resolved now but I feel ignorant if I don't reply. Thank you again for everyone's input 🙂

OP posts:
MrsSunshine2b · 14/02/2025 11:04

Boardgamedust · 14/02/2025 10:24

To clarify, I was still invited and this thread was never about the invitation or wedding itself. I've said that so many times! Mn is a strange place. The issue is resolved now but I feel ignorant if I don't reply. Thank you again for everyone's input 🙂

I would have thought the same as your ex, that you wouldn't have wanted to go. The bafflement on this thread is because most people would not want to go to a wedding with an ex and it's generally accepted that once you break up any invites like that are unofficially cancelled, unless there's special circumstances.

Boardgamedust · 14/02/2025 12:13

MrsSunshine2b · 14/02/2025 11:04

I would have thought the same as your ex, that you wouldn't have wanted to go. The bafflement on this thread is because most people would not want to go to a wedding with an ex and it's generally accepted that once you break up any invites like that are unofficially cancelled, unless there's special circumstances.

'Generally accepted' doesn't fit into my world, hence mutual friend expecting that I would still come and being surprised at the outcome of the conversation. It might be the MN hivemind of course. The issue is resolved now Smile

OP posts:
Spirallingdownwards · 14/02/2025 12:19

Boardgamedust · 13/02/2025 13:53

I was invited-I am going to ex's town soon to see a mutual friend, the same friends whose house I was to be staying at. When we spoke last night, mutual said they'd hoped I'd come on a day out with them the following day. It could've been weird in some ways and of course I'd have been fine (as I've repeated) if ex said not to come, I just don't like the misleading of my reasons or not talking to me about it.

You were invited as his partner though even if you were named on the invitation.

I would assume ex hadn't sent an RSVP so the mum asked him if he was going. Possibly said what about @Boardgamedust and he said we aren't together anymore so I would assume not. This would be an entirely normal conversation.

Boardgamedust · 14/02/2025 13:58

I've seen the message @Spirallingdownwards , bride's Mum contacted ex asking about her menu choices, she responded that we'd split up in case she didn't know, Mum asked if I was still coming, ex said no I am coming on my own. Prior to that we had both RSVP'd separately.

OP posts:
Katbum · 14/02/2025 18:29

At a wedding the bride and groom (or if its a same sex wedding the other bride) are not going to have much chance to socialise with guests. The reality is you would be infringing on your ex's social time with her friends who will be at the wedding and also causing loads of logistical issues for whoever is organising it. For example, where are you going to sit for dinner, given your ex has made it clear she wants to come alone, and you've just split up so would be awkward to seat you beside one another. Just leave it now.

Boardgamedust · 14/02/2025 19:55

Katbum · 14/02/2025 18:29

At a wedding the bride and groom (or if its a same sex wedding the other bride) are not going to have much chance to socialise with guests. The reality is you would be infringing on your ex's social time with her friends who will be at the wedding and also causing loads of logistical issues for whoever is organising it. For example, where are you going to sit for dinner, given your ex has made it clear she wants to come alone, and you've just split up so would be awkward to seat you beside one another. Just leave it now.

This wouldn't have happened as it isn't the scenario at all. If she'd have 'made it clear she wanted to come alone' to me, I'd not have gone of course so that wouldn't have ever happened.

I've explained all of this upthread anyway and the issue is resolved so not much point of more replies.

OP posts:
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