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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To attend a birthday party I haven’t been invited to?

100 replies

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:32

Huge birthday party for my SIL in a couple weeks, all arranged/discussed via WhatsApp in a family WhatsApp group, DH has mentioned a couple of bits to me but I’m not in the group so I haven’t had a direct invite, but he says “of course you’re invited” because I’m his wife, right?

But here’s where I’m conflicted, other people that aren’t in the group have had a direct invite.
my relationship with them is sort of just speak when we see each other due to a history of things I don’t want to get in to, we get on superficially but I wasn’t really accepted due to being a different nationality to my DH but I don’t want that clouding the responses.

OP posts:
FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 21/08/2026 22:34

Do you want to go? I really wouldn’t bother.

Franxi · 21/08/2026 22:35

I wouldn’t even think of inviting my brother in law to my birthday individually. I’d assume he would know he was coming through inviting my sibling.

JustAnotherWhinger · 21/08/2026 22:37

Surely you wouldn’t be invited separately from your DH? That would be unusual imo.

When DH’s family are organising things through their family group they don’t send separate invitations to spouses not in the chat.

Namenamchange · 21/08/2026 22:38

Franxi · 21/08/2026 22:35

I wouldn’t even think of inviting my brother in law to my birthday individually. I’d assume he would know he was coming through inviting my sibling.

This, from the limited info, it looks like you're looking for drama.

shhblackbag · 21/08/2026 22:38

Surely you just check? Or have your husband ask.

Thestealer · 21/08/2026 22:38

Why do you think you need a separate invitation?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 21/08/2026 22:39

Just tell DH to message in the group and check if you are invited. It seems obvious you are invited though

FilmsandBooks · 21/08/2026 22:40

I don’t think I’ve ever explicitly invited my siblings’ partners, it’s just obvious they’re invited by extension.

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:45

It’s party due to there being specifics for the party, think colour schemes, themes etc and I only happened to know that by my other SIL asking me what I was wearing, I wasn’t even aware there was a colour scheme and I thought a nice text explaining would have done

OP posts:
SilverPink · 21/08/2026 22:46

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:45

It’s party due to there being specifics for the party, think colour schemes, themes etc and I only happened to know that by my other SIL asking me what I was wearing, I wasn’t even aware there was a colour scheme and I thought a nice text explaining would have done

But surely your husband knows these details? So it should be up to him to mention it.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 21/08/2026 22:47

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:45

It’s party due to there being specifics for the party, think colour schemes, themes etc and I only happened to know that by my other SIL asking me what I was wearing, I wasn’t even aware there was a colour scheme and I thought a nice text explaining would have done

His family are obviously assuming that you and your husband speak. So ask your husband

OutOfTheOtherSide · 21/08/2026 22:47

Namenamchange · 21/08/2026 22:38

This, from the limited info, it looks like you're looking for drama.

Agree! I have never invited my siblings' spouses to anything in 30 years of knowing them.

Get over yourself OP and grow up, this is playground level of princessyness!

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:48

My DH response when I asked him about the theme, “I’ve not even checked the messages properly, there’s tons”

OP posts:
maisybobbins · 21/08/2026 22:49

Your DH is going to his sisters birthday and he’s invited you to go with him.

TeaFizzy · 21/08/2026 22:51

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:48

My DH response when I asked him about the theme, “I’ve not even checked the messages properly, there’s tons”

So this is your DH being a bit crap, then.

SilverPink · 21/08/2026 22:51

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:48

My DH response when I asked him about the theme, “I’ve not even checked the messages properly, there’s tons”

Well he needs to be more organised then doesn’t he.

GoodkneeBadKnee · 21/08/2026 22:52

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:45

It’s party due to there being specifics for the party, think colour schemes, themes etc and I only happened to know that by my other SIL asking me what I was wearing, I wasn’t even aware there was a colour scheme and I thought a nice text explaining would have done

So you have been invited then. Lovely. What are you going to wear?

EstoyRobandoSuCasa · 21/08/2026 22:52

I'd expect you to be invited unless there's an unexpected back story, but if unsure would check (or get DH to).

One of my ex-boyfriends used to assume that every invitation to him included me, but I turned up to at least one party with him where the hosts clearly weren't expecting me. That was a bit awkward... I wouldn't have dreamed of coming if my boyfriend hadn't said we were (both) invited.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 21/08/2026 22:53

OP said this…

other people that aren’t in the group have had a direct invite.

its not weird of her at all, she’s aware that some people have been directly invited even if not in the group, and that she is not one of those people.

LejlaKapovic · 21/08/2026 22:54

OeoOreo · 21/08/2026 22:32

Huge birthday party for my SIL in a couple weeks, all arranged/discussed via WhatsApp in a family WhatsApp group, DH has mentioned a couple of bits to me but I’m not in the group so I haven’t had a direct invite, but he says “of course you’re invited” because I’m his wife, right?

But here’s where I’m conflicted, other people that aren’t in the group have had a direct invite.
my relationship with them is sort of just speak when we see each other due to a history of things I don’t want to get in to, we get on superficially but I wasn’t really accepted due to being a different nationality to my DH but I don’t want that clouding the responses.

Your husband should ask his sister, "hey, I just remembered that you didn't say anything about Oreo attending the party. Is she invited?". I wouldn't go without confirmation of invite.

GoodkneeBadKnee · 21/08/2026 22:56

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 21/08/2026 22:53

OP said this…

other people that aren’t in the group have had a direct invite.

its not weird of her at all, she’s aware that some people have been directly invited even if not in the group, and that she is not one of those people.

Are these others married to the host's siblings?

BendingSpoons · 21/08/2026 23:11

LejlaKapovic · 21/08/2026 22:54

Your husband should ask his sister, "hey, I just remembered that you didn't say anything about Oreo attending the party. Is she invited?". I wouldn't go without confirmation of invite.

Personally I'd find it very odd if my brother said this to me. I'd be saying 'well yeah obviously'. However the OPs previous challenges with the family are probably impacting.

VivIsBlonde · 21/08/2026 23:12

LejlaKapovic · 21/08/2026 22:54

Your husband should ask his sister, "hey, I just remembered that you didn't say anything about Oreo attending the party. Is she invited?". I wouldn't go without confirmation of invite.

The SIL Has spoken to her asking what she’s wearing, so no need for her husband to ask if she’s invited

TheEasterBunny3 · 21/08/2026 23:12

You have a DH problem. He needs to read the messages and let you know what the plans are. Ive never invited my siblings partners separately - they are obviously invited by extension of discussing it with my siblings. It would be weird to contact them directly when Im already planning everything with my siblings & they can pass the info on.

The answer to your query is to speak to your DH.

Whoops75 · 21/08/2026 23:17

Honestly you sound like hard work.
If you’re going please be respectful that this night isn’t about you!

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