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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not allow random child to my destination wedding?

1000 replies

SmithyCakeJun · 19/04/2025 14:58

Getting married in Malta in 2 weeks time. Dream wedding in a gorgeous hotel where me and my fiancé had our first holiday. My family aren’t well off so we’ve been supporting some of them to come, so costs added up quickly. Overall, it’s only going to be a small wedding with close family, and 2 very close friends on each side present.

My best friend, I will call her Julia, has recently had a family situation arise and has taken temporary foster care of her niece Louise, who is 13. Louise has had a huge trauma and has been drinking (very badly to the point of hospitalisation and Julia had to get rid of all alcohol in the house in order to take in Louise) and self-harming. She was taken in by Julia after a suicide attempt which involved drinking and a paracetamol overdose.

Julia has today text me saying “I assume it’s okay that I bring Louise? She will stay in my twin room and I don’t mind paying for the flights and her meals. I think the holiday will really do her good x”

I don’t really want a random girl at my wedding. I’m sympathetic to her situation but there’s literally going to be about 12 people there. Louise is nothing to do with me. We will have booze available at the wedding in the style of an all-inclusive buffet where you get your glass and fill-up yourself at the machine. Julia is lovely but likes a drink and I can see her having a few and not supervising Louise properly. I don’t want my wedding interrupted by Louise becoming drunk and I don’t want to deal with the anxiety of this girl’s presence when I’m trying to enjoy my wedding reception. Louise has also been separated from a toddler sister and is very devastated about this, there will be a toddler girl present at the wedding on the same dinner table that Julia and Louise would be sitting and I’m concerned this is going to upset her.

I didn’t want to sound like a cow so I responded “Are social services okay with you taking Louise out of the country?” hoping that this would change her mind but she replied back that she’s already cleared it with them and that Louise’s social worker is actually encouraging it as being good for Louise’s mental health. It’s not a formal foster arrangement yet so Julia is allowed to bring Louise on holiday with parent’s permission that she has already got. Julia also sent texts about how Louise has never been on a plane before and is really excited and has perked up at the thought of a holiday with her auntie.

I don’t know how to respond to my friend without seeming like a bitch. I am aware that if Louise can’t come then Julia is likely to not come. AIBU?

OP posts:
Strictlymad · 21/04/2025 07:01

I do see her point- she’s saying friends ware there for each other even when not absolutely ideal, and it would alike she has done this for you in the past so was expecting it to be reciprocated. I think I’d feel similar to her

Nellodee · 21/04/2025 07:03

I think you dodged a bullet. Stay firm and avoid disaster.

SchnizelVonKrumm · 21/04/2025 07:05

Strictlymad · 21/04/2025 07:01

I do see her point- she’s saying friends ware there for each other even when not absolutely ideal, and it would alike she has done this for you in the past so was expecting it to be reciprocated. I think I’d feel similar to her

She's using the past examples to tryvto guilt trip the OP. None if thebpast events took place on Julia's wedding day so it's hardly a fair comparison anyway! And OP is being supportive - she appreciates that the situation means that Julia can't vomecto the wedding and has even offered to take Julia and Louise on a spa day - that offer has been thrown back in her face.

Seabreeze18 · 21/04/2025 07:16

Julia has been very selfish! U have done the right thing op and I hope the friendship can recover from this?

Littlemisscapable · 21/04/2025 07:17

Julia isn't a good friend..sorry. You have been very accomodating your request is perfectly reasonable. You aren't a bridezilla
... you deserve this one day to be about you. Louise can't come.end of.. julia needs to realise the complexity of the commitment she has signed up to here while it is really kind and well meaning it will mean she has to change plans and say no to stuff. Nothing stopping her taking Louise on a lovely mini break the two of them and seeing how that goes. Enjoy your day and don't let julia pressure you anymore.

BlueSpikeyPearls · 21/04/2025 07:19

4forksache · 21/04/2025 00:10

Well a falling out was always pretty inevitable. It’s understandable that you wouldn’t want her there. None of us would, but it was always going to be the case of having to chose between the wedding and your friendship.

Can you salvage anything by backing down and apologising, or is the wedding really worth losing a friendship? Only you can decide that one, op!

You're not considering Louise in this equation. She is a traumatized teen, who has never traveled before, who doesn´t know any of the other guests and who has an alcohol problem.

She would go to a wedding, where she'll likely have no one to talk to, where alcohol is freely available, in a strange country and where she gets to watch another family happily celebrating with each other.

Do you not think that all these triggers would be terrible for her at this point in time? Weddings are usually not terribly interesting for teens as it is. With all the other issues Louise is going through at the moment, such an event would be the last thing she needs.

I think Julia is very selfish for even considering this, let alone to push this on OP and on this poor girl.

Enthusiasticcarrotgrower · 21/04/2025 07:28

SmithyCakeJun · 20/04/2025 19:34

Julia has gotten back to me and is not happy at all. Has raised several times in the past when she has been there for me in crisis. Staying up with me in the night years ago when I had a horrid break-up, helping me with practical stuff regarding the sale of my father’s house after he died etc. All fair points.

She’d said she’s devastated at my attitude and doesn’t want to come anymore. My offer to take her and Louise for a spa day after the wedding was also referred to as “doing what’s convenient for me”

I think when she calms down and thinks it over some more she will realise why you have done this. Give her some time. And yes, doing what’s convenient for you when it’s your own wedding is hardly the crime of the century.

SaveMeFromHumanity · 21/04/2025 07:29

pirateshirt · 21/04/2025 06:03

How can 48% think OP is being unreasonable to not want a traumatised, alcoholic teenager she's never met at her small, intimate, destination wedding?

People pleasers, people with poor boundaries, rescuers and people who let others walk all over them and then 'have a little cry' to themselves afterwards. People who don't think women should ever say no, especially not to a child. Oh and people who have no idea what severe trauma does to a person.

People also don't consider the whole picture. They can see the OP's close friend can't come if Louise doesn't and that a sad child is involved but are not considering the whole picture/wider context.

It's quite obvious that Julia shouldn't have asked this of the OP in the first place. It's her wedding day. It's not the time for charitable actions or putting yourself last. Not when she's organised a small wedding and with the reasons she gave in her OP.

Julia is likely a bit overwhelmed with the situation as I think any of us would be and is looking forward to the wedding/likely craving a bit of normality but it was incredibly rude to ask.

The fact she'd cleared it with everyone else first rather than getting the lie of the land from the OP first shows she knows its a big ask but was hoping the collective pressure would sway the OP's decision.

There is a thread running at the moment where someone has asked if they can take their husband and child to someone's hen do. Not for the actual thing even, just for a bit of a holiday that would be nice for them. The bride has similarly said no. And, the last time I looked, it was a unanimous YABU for asking response.

And this see thread where op brought her thrice not invited child to a wedding brunch and burst into public attention seeking tears at being told 'no!'

Hopefully, when things have settled down a bit, Julia will realise that she was wrong to have asked in the first place and understand exactly why the OP said no.

As much as anything, this girl has had her entire life turned upside down, is dealing with things that most people will never have any experience of. Spending a day with strangers at a wedding is unlikely to be the therapeutic experience Julia is hoping for. And she likely knows that herself. She just wants to go to the wedding and can't see any other way around it. Because there isn't one.

Most people in Julia's shoes would have contacted the OP and explained that she'd need to pull put of the wedding. The ball would then have been in the OP's court as to whether she extended an invitation to Louise or not.

I often read the BeKind responses and am glad I don't know those people in real life. There's being kind and then there's prostrating yourself at someone else's feet, inviting them to walk all over you and then, invariably, being upset about it afterwards.

SaveMeFromHumanity · 21/04/2025 07:37

I do see her point- she’s saying friends ware there for each other even when not absolutely ideal, and it would alike she has done this for you in the past so was expecting it to be reciprocated. I think I’d feel similar to her

Do you think Julia would have done those things if thr OP on her own wedding day?

Of course she wouldn't.

The situations aren't comparable.

This isn't a regular monthly lunch catch up where, if it all goes a bit tits up because Louise ends up being the priority, it doesn't matter because it was a £20 lunch and they'll just know not to take her next time.

It's this...

My family aren’t well off so we’ve been supporting some of them to come, so costs added up quickly. Overall, it’s only going to be a small wedding with close family, and 2 very close friends on each side present.

Louise has had a huge trauma and has been drinking (very badly to the point of hospitalisation and Julia had to get rid of all alcohol in the house in order to take in Louise) and self-harming. She was taken in by Julia after a suicide attempt which involved drinking and a paracetamol overdose.

Not comparable.

timeforteaandbiscuits · 21/04/2025 07:42

Spending a day with strangers at a wedding is unlikely to be the therapeutic experience Julia is hoping for. And she likely knows that herself. She just wants to go to the wedding and can't see any other way around it. Because there isn't one

Spot on. This is the crux of it. Julia wants to go and thats her main motivation so she is reframing this as "therapeutic" for Louise. It's entirely selfish on the part of Julia because SHE wants to go and the only way she can do it is if Louise comes too. So now she's saying it'll be "good" for her. An alcoholic traumatised teen in a place where alcohol will be flowing and she knows noone. Yeah- sounds highly "therapeutic" doesnt it?- perhaps they should put attending a strangers wedding on traumatised kid's care plans eh?

As for the "be kind" brigade, they arent actually considering whats truly best for Louise and the significant risks involved for her well being, they just want to beat another woman over the head for not fulfilling the role of people pleasing doormat who exists only to serve everyone else regardless of her own needs/wants.

Thisismetooaswell · 21/04/2025 07:47

I think you should talk to her (not message) Why does no one pick up the phone these days? All sorts of things can be misconstrued in a typed message and can be much more easily resolved by talking

SaveMeFromHumanity · 21/04/2025 07:48

As for the "be kind" brigade, they arent actually considering whats truly best for Louise and the significant risks involved for her well being, they just want to beat another woman over the head for not fulfilling the role of people pleasing doormat who exists only to serve everyone else regardless of her own needs/wants.

Also spot on.

Walkerzoo · 21/04/2025 07:55

You did the right thing. She shouldn't have asked in first place.
She will start to realise that this is what life now will be until it all settles with the child. The child has went through trauma so a close family wedding would not have been right

Stay firm.

Beachlovingirl · 21/04/2025 08:06

I feel a bit sorry for the OP here. Julia shouldn’t have even told Louise about the wedding until she has cleared it with the OP. Of course Louise is now excited about going.

To remedy this Julia can take care of that herself and book them both a foreign holiday outside of this wedding.

In the scenario that Julia had asked OP and OP had said no - then of course Julia wouldn’t come because she would be looking after Louise - and I suppose an amount of the friendship would die off at that point too but I don’t think that can be helped

Testingmypatience1 · 21/04/2025 08:09

I suspect op is the nicest person. Amenable, kind and the bend over backwards kind of person and friend. Probably tips over into people pleasing regularly, and puts up with more than most. Because most people would have said a categoric no from the outset.

The fact that Julia has discussed this with multiple people, told Louise and cornered op so effortlessly shows that she believed she could easily bully op into agreement, and therefore she could still go.

This will not be the first time Julia has acted with pure self interest, nor the last. She was looking forward to this trip, and she believed she could sidestep op’s wishes and concerns without much of an issue.

Most brides would have sent back a two line reply that was firm and to the point, and certainly no one would be ruining their day. Op being the super nice pleaser that she is, has been far too nice about this.

thepariscrimefiles · 21/04/2025 08:09

TheWonderhorse · 20/04/2025 22:43

I'm not making it about anyone. It's OP who has to decide if it's worth losing the friendship over. It's whether OP would prefer to sacrifice the friendship for her wedding, her trade off. I just wanted to remind OP that friends like that are a big deal so she can make the right decision for her.

If OP genuinely thinks that Julia is too crap a parent to look after the child then that has bigger implications than the wedding anyway. I hope that if there are genuine concerns then SS are informed so that the child can go somewhere else where she can be kept safe.

I'm sure that OP doesn't think that Julia is too crap a parent to look after the child. Good parents, particularly parents of children with emotional/behavioural problems, cannot always control their children in unfamiliar and stressful settings. This doesn't make them bad parents but insisting on putting themselves and their children in an environment where some sort of meltdown or crisis is much more likely to happen, does make them selfish on that occasion.

Julia is putting her own needs and wants ahead of Louise's and OP's on this occasion because she was really looking forward to the wedding. She is glossing over and ignoring the potential pitfalls and the potential for OP's wedding to be ruined. I'm sure that in normal circumstances, she is a perfectly adequate carer for Louise.

thepariscrimefiles · 21/04/2025 08:16

nocoolnamesleft · 20/04/2025 23:26

Insurance won't cover for "I'm not invited to the wedding any more" so Julia will be left out of pocket. Which would be fine for the minor expense of a local wedding, but the OP chose to swan off abroad for her wedding, and Julia will be left eating the expense.

By 'swan off abroad', do you mean have a wedding abroad to enable her DH's close relatives to attend? Louise wasn't even on the scene when OP made this decision but you are implying that OP deliberately chose a venue that would make it much more difficult for Julia and Louise to attend.

goldennebula · 21/04/2025 08:17

I'm sure that OP doesn't think that Julia is too crap a parent to look after the child. Good parents, particularly parents of children with emotional/behavioural problems, cannot always control their children in unfamiliar and stressful settings. This doesn't make them bad parents but insisting on putting themselves and their children in an environment where some sort of meltdown or crisis is much more likely to happen, does make them selfish on that occasion

This. Julia has very little experience of supervising a teenager with such life affecting emotional needs. That doesnt make her a bad parent but the fact she cannot appreciate the potential disastrous consequences of what might happen and doesnt seem to have any plans in place whatsoever to manage it is concerning and does indicate a certain level of naivety that is somewhat concerning. She has made zero mention of how she will supervise Louise or what she will do if she has a meltdown, she just seems entirely focused on the goal of taking her away and how wonderful it will be for her. Thats naive, no matter how good your intentions are.

As for the people saying if OP doesnt let her come it will end the friendship- if Louise has a crisis mid wedding and requires an ambulance I can guarantee you that will most certainly end their friendship forever because the wedding would be ruined.

HeartyViper · 21/04/2025 08:19

SmithyCakeJun · 20/04/2025 19:34

Julia has gotten back to me and is not happy at all. Has raised several times in the past when she has been there for me in crisis. Staying up with me in the night years ago when I had a horrid break-up, helping me with practical stuff regarding the sale of my father’s house after he died etc. All fair points.

She’d said she’s devastated at my attitude and doesn’t want to come anymore. My offer to take her and Louise for a spa day after the wedding was also referred to as “doing what’s convenient for me”

OP I scanned most of the thread - and I am sorry people are giving you a hard time and Julia is making this about her.
You are absolutely entitled to have the wedding day YOU want.
I cannot comprehend why people saying Louise and your blood relative nephew are the same. They are not. It’s admirable what Julia is doing, and what Louise has gone through sounds completely horrific, but that is not your problem. It doesn’t sound appropriate for Louise to be there and if Julia wants to give her a break, she can take her away any other time.
Ultimately, she’s shown you that her wants matter to her more than yours and dredging up supporting you through a break up is a low blow.

growinguptobreakingdown · 21/04/2025 08:26

faerietales · 19/04/2025 15:09

Personally, if my best friend had done such a kind thing, I would do my best to be accommodating where possible.

I agree with this post.I wouldn't hesitate.

Testingmypatience1 · 21/04/2025 08:31

growinguptobreakingdown · 21/04/2025 08:26

I agree with this post.I wouldn't hesitate.

You would allow a suicidal self harming teen that has a history of abusing alcohol to be taken to an environment overseas of free flowing alcohol in a country without a crisis team and facilities? Are you for real? You would put a child at risk like that? Just to appear ‘accommodating’?

Wow

MarkWithaC · 21/04/2025 08:35

She is not covering herself in glory, is she?
I can see why she's upset, but she really shouldn't have assumed it would be OK, and it was a big mistake to tell Louise as if it were a done deal before asking you.
The previous things she's done in the name of friendship for you are not at all comparable, plus IMO real friends don't keep count.
If you do want to try to save the friendship I'd have a phone conversation.
Otherwise, shrug, get on with your day and enjoy your wedding.

SpainToday · 21/04/2025 08:35

It’s Julia who changed the goal posts with 2 weeks to go. She will know, deep down, that taking Louise isn’t the best option, but Julia doesn’t want to miss out.

AlphaRadiationIsHeliumNuclei · 21/04/2025 08:45

Julia is only 'devastated' because she hasn't got exactly what she wants.

She was never going to accept a compromise. Her wishes were always more important than your wedding day.

nomas · 21/04/2025 08:47

Julia is no friend and at this stage there is a chance she could deliberately cause problems at the wedding.

As she has said she doesn’t want to come, take her seriously and cancel her ticket.

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