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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Only us and 2 friends at our upcoming secret wedding

68 replies

ThePeachLemur · 17/08/2025 18:15

We've been together 20 years this year and as we are now approaching our mid 50's, with a blended family (I have DD 26 from previous, other half has DS 28, from previous. We also have a DS 17, together). We have decided to get married. Decision made mostly due to legalities around the dreaded ' what happens if something happens to either of us'. We are very much happy as we are, but both feel its time to, well, put a ring on it. We have decided to ask our older, close friends to be our witnesses. My problem is I now feel very real 'mum guilt' over it all. We have talked over the years of just sodding off and doing it, so I dont think it'll come as any great shock to anyone. We've both been married before. My mum is elderly and I don't think she'd be upset. My brother much the same, though I think would be disappointed with no celebration. They live 400 miles away. In laws to be are down the road, but don't drive and are unaware we see partners sister ( a whole other subject of playing one sibling off against the other 🙄) and if we invite some people and not others, we run the risk of making a big 'thing"out of it all. Plus, there's the cost. We're not flush, not skint either, but would rather spend money on something we'd enjoy, like a decent holiday abroad next year, something we've not done for years. I want to have a nice wedding, meaningful but compact. We are taking the friends out for a nice meal after the ceremony. Its mid week, in late October. AIBU in not telling anyone? I'm rubbish at secrets and feel I'll be letting the kids down...help!

OP posts:
KrisAkabusi · 17/08/2025 19:36

Quite honestly, I think its awful that you are prioritising friends over children. I would be very hurt if I discovered my parents not only didn't want me there, but thought that it was more important that other people were. I think you're making a big mistake.

BondAway25 · 17/08/2025 19:41

I think you'll hurt your children inviting friends but not them.

Robin67 · 17/08/2025 19:43

Sorry, do I understand that at present, of something were to happen to you, your children will inherit. But soon you will be married and so your husband (not DD's father, but is DS's father) will inherit?

Cool, cool, cool. Congratulations on your pending nuptials and I hope you have a lovely wedding.

TheSandgroper · 18/08/2025 00:42

If you are happy to exclude your children, you will be telling them what your idea of a family is.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/family-kinship Note the use of the word “united”.

If you go ahead with this plan, you will be making a very particular bed. If you are later expected to lie in it (and I include your partner here), put up and shut up about it.

Family | Definition, Meaning, Members, Types, & Facts | Britannica

Family, a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social positions, usually those of spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Learn more a...

https://www.britannica.com/topic/family-kinship

ByLimeAnt · 18/08/2025 08:51

Interestingly my parents are doing exactly this in the autumn (though did have heads up from my mum). Doesn't bother me; I'm delighted they are finally getting married and want them to do it in the way they want. It's your ceremony, you do your own thing!

Congratulations!

Rocknrollstar · 18/08/2025 09:07

We were very young. Our parents knew we were getting married (my dad had to sign to give permission!) but we went to the registry office with four friends. That was it. We just wanted to be married.

JurassicPark4Eva · 18/08/2025 09:09

ByLimeAnt · 18/08/2025 08:51

Interestingly my parents are doing exactly this in the autumn (though did have heads up from my mum). Doesn't bother me; I'm delighted they are finally getting married and want them to do it in the way they want. It's your ceremony, you do your own thing!

Congratulations!

But you know about it, so that's very different.

MimiGC · 18/08/2025 09:41

We were in exactly the same position and decided on a civil partnership to take care of the legalities. We told no one , not our children (who were younger than yours ie teenagers), not our parents, nor siblings. We asked two friends to be our witnesses and had no other guests. It was a few years ago and we still haven’t told anyone, so no one is upset at having missed out on anything. It was how we wanted to do it and it’s worked out fine. Just remember to write a new will afterwards.

MrsArcher23 · 18/08/2025 09:45

I know you’ve made your choice for witnesses but maybe you should add in your three children. Everyone else is surplus.

Cynic17 · 18/08/2025 09:48

It sounds lovely. I had friends who did this and their (collective) 4 kids were absolutely fine about it when they were told a few months later. It is just a different dynamic with good friends, and probably more relaxed. Do it!

KrisAkabusi · 18/08/2025 09:54

ByLimeAnt · 18/08/2025 08:51

Interestingly my parents are doing exactly this in the autumn (though did have heads up from my mum). Doesn't bother me; I'm delighted they are finally getting married and want them to do it in the way they want. It's your ceremony, you do your own thing!

Congratulations!

Its not exactly the same thing at all because you know about and therefore your parents have had a conversation with you about it. Its not being sprung on you as a done deal.

Funderthighs · 18/08/2025 09:57

I think it’s absolutely fine if that’s what you want but you definitely need to include the children. My parents told me when I got home from school that they’d got married. I was very upset. It’s not a nice thing to do.

Funderthighs · 18/08/2025 09:57

I think it’s absolutely fine if that’s what you want but you definitely need to include the children. My parents told me when I got home from school that they’d got married. I was very upset. It’s not a nice thing to do.

theonlyonestillawake · 18/08/2025 09:59

My mum step-dad did this a couple of years ago after being together for over 30 years. They told us in advance however and hired a room in a pub for about a month afterwards. Between them there are 4 DC, all with partners and children of their own. If we'd been invited it would not have been a small wedding. We would have been upset if they'd done it without telling us beforehand though

PinkyFlamingo · 18/08/2025 10:00

As everyone will say your wedding your choice. But why choose friends over your children? And as much as they may say they're ok with this when they find out, I would be deeply hurt but not say anything

PinkyFlamingo · 18/08/2025 10:01

ByLimeAnt · 18/08/2025 08:51

Interestingly my parents are doing exactly this in the autumn (though did have heads up from my mum). Doesn't bother me; I'm delighted they are finally getting married and want them to do it in the way they want. It's your ceremony, you do your own thing!

Congratulations!

That's not the same as you know!

HopingForTheBest25 · 18/08/2025 10:01

I also agree that you should ask your children rather than your friends. I think you might really hurt their feelings if you actively exclude them. I get your thinking on this - it's just a legality and not 'important' regarding how you and dp feel about each other, but it's likely to feel significant to your children.
I'd make a fabulous day of it with my kids - dress up, lovely meal afterwards, go away for the weekend just you and new dh. It doesn't have to cost a fortune but it is something that's worth marking.

thepariscrimefiles · 18/08/2025 11:58

Only you and your DP know whether your children will be upset or not. Do they all get on or are there some issues when they are all together which is why they aren't your automatic choice to attend?

How would you feel if any of them decided not to invite you and your DH to their weddings?

You have said that you feel that you are letting your kids down, but you haven't really explained why you would choose a couple of friends to attend, rather than your own children.

CountryQueen · 18/08/2025 12:17

You’re not inviting your kids?!

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 18/08/2025 12:23

We did this ( although no children to be considered) . It was a good day! We told people as and when we wanted to.

Dh was at a party in his home town a few weeks later, his best childhood friend asked him how long we had been married ( been together more than thirty years). DH replied with a smile ‘ about three weeks’ 😀

Candleabra · 18/08/2025 13:25

It’s your wedding and i can understand your desire to keep it small. But I couldn’t get married without my own children there.

Candleabra · 18/08/2025 13:27

I also know someone who got married in secret and he said afterwards it was more trouble than it was worth as they ended up telling a long story every time they bumped into anyone for years!

DashboardConfession · 18/08/2025 13:27

KrisAkabusi · 17/08/2025 19:36

Quite honestly, I think its awful that you are prioritising friends over children. I would be very hurt if I discovered my parents not only didn't want me there, but thought that it was more important that other people were. I think you're making a big mistake.

Agree! OP, you feel like you're letting your kids down because you are and you know it.

MounjaroMounjaro · 18/08/2025 13:30

I can't see why you wouldn't have your own children there. You're basically saying to them it would be a nicer day without them there.

Maddy70 · 18/08/2025 14:00

We renewed our vows just the two of us, and my children still go on about the fact they weren't invited. It's worse that you are having friends as witnesses. That's a bit of a smack in the face for your children TBh