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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I feel so bad about missing my sister's wedding

159 replies

dinny · 27/06/2006 14:16

Basically, she is getting married in Sardinia in September and I just can't go as I am absolutely terrified of flying. It is also my dh's really hectic time at work so impossible for him to take any more than a day off, really. And it is also dd's first week in reception too. They were originally going to get married in London but changed location last month. I feel so awful that will miss it. Am I an awful sister? She is pretty upset with me.

ps she did suggest I come by land and sea but I'm not a confident traveller by self - it would take over 24 hours, plus I don't want to be that far away from kids, time-wise.

OP posts:
geekgrrl · 27/06/2006 21:16

completely agree with jimjams and MI, it is only a wedding.
My wedding day doesn't even make it into the top 10 most important days of my life (am very happily married btw - just don't think weddings really mean much in the grand scheme of things) so I find this behaviour really odd. And totally, utterly, self-centred.

spidermama · 27/06/2006 21:17

Could she be persuaded to have a quiet ceremony in Sardinia and then a proper big bash back in London?

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 27/06/2006 21:19

god no I completely missed the bfeeding bit. Of course you can't go! Agree quiet ceremony followed by party in London makes sense.

dublindee · 27/06/2006 22:32

marriage in a catholic country is no more difficult than anywhere else.
her sis has offered to pay airfare and accommodation.
yes her sis's h2b may be a twat but she'd be attending for her sis not him so it's irrelevant imo.

edam · 27/06/2006 22:38

Don't think you should feel guilty about not going at all, Dinny. Your sister's choice to change wedding location/date at short notice (or her choice to agree with her dh-to-be).. Sad you can't go, but she's the one who has made it difficult. Esp. as you have a phobia of flying and are breastfeeding - just too much to expect of you. Obviously tell her how sorry you are etc. etc. but don't let anyone make you feel bad about this.

SherlockLGJ · 27/06/2006 22:40

Have not read all of this thread.............

But will say only this............

Your DS will get married and God Willing it will endure ( though based on speed reading, not convinced)

YOUR CHILD WILL ONLY DO RECPEPTION ONCE

No competition. INHO

edam · 27/06/2006 22:42

If you really do feel bad about it (don't see why you should, though) maybe you could offer to arrange a small celebration for her when she gets back home? Or just take her and her new dh out to dinner and pretend to be terribly enthusiastic about seeing ALL the photos?

hunkermunker · 27/06/2006 22:52

Oh, what a bloody mess, Dinny

OK, I'll have a ramble and see what you think.

I think that once you have children, your relationship with your siblings alters. It has to. They are grown up, can fend for themselves and hopefully understand that you have little people who are dependent on you.

Then there are weddings. Weddings are peculiar things that bring out the very best and the very worst in people.

It seems that, sadly, this wedding has brought out the very worst in your sister. She has planned a date and a location that are nigh on impossible for you to attend (even without your flying phobia, Sardinia's still a strange choice, given your dad's health, etc).

If you want to stop bfeeding DS, this would be the time to do it. I know you'd wondered about going away before now, but I'm not sure that it being "forced" upon you by your sister is the way forward with it - resentment might build if it goes badly and DS is upset while you're away.

Then there is DD starting reception. I think she'll need you around. People have said it's not a big deal, but I think they're wrong.

I would ask her if there's any way she can change the date or the location. If she refuses, see in the meantime if you can think of a way to get there, but from her pov you have to tell her you can't make it.

It's such a shame - it should be something you can both look forward to - your sister getting married is a lovely occasion, but sadly it seems like she's just trying to put obstacles in your way. I wonder if she's subconsciously not wanting to wed this man and will blame your "lack of support" when it all goes tits up?

I seem to have spent ages saying not much. Sorry. Email me if you need to. Oh, and you're not at work next Thursday are you? Chance I might come in, I think. Can't remember when you work though?

And Stitch - touch of the bridezilla about your "my wedding more important than sister's medical exams that determine the rest of her life", I think

quanglewangle · 27/06/2006 23:25

She has put location before family.

It is her day and she expects everyone to fit in. Just like that.

The fear of flying is uppermost in your mind as you know it would be the deciding factor even if there were no other complications.

But there are other complications, so fear of flying doesn't enter the equation. Your children come first.

Pruni · 28/06/2006 13:14

Message withdrawn

lorina · 28/06/2006 13:28

I dont really think its reasonable to get married abroad and still expect friends and family to attend. Its lovely if they do but she cant expect it.

I think for most kids the first week of reception is a big deal and its much better for your dd if you are at home

ggglimpopo · 28/06/2006 13:53

Message withdrawn

SSSandy · 28/06/2006 14:13

Now I've seen sister doesn't actually live in Sardinia- they're only going there for the honeymoon basically and decided to hold the wedding there too. That seems inconvenient if your dad is too sick to travel, so from her side of the family they'll be just you and your mum? Doesn't seem much point in it really.

Can they have a registry wedding and big party in the UK and then a church wedding over in Sardinia or something or v.v.? Think you do have to make a big effort for big family occasions but this seems inconsiderate and badly thought out, also quite short notice really. Tricky, sorry no good solutions spring to mind.

hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 15:05

I'm interested to know why Stitch thinks Dinny should put herself out so much for her sister when her sister isn't being at all reasonable herself with location or date

Normsnockers · 28/06/2006 17:36

Message withdrawn

warthog · 28/06/2006 19:48

when it comes to weddings, each to their own. big / small / local / abroad. but they've made a choice to have it in sardinia, they must accept the consequence that some people won't make it. it does sound to me like he's trying to be difficult, knowing you have a phobia of flying and all... and perhaps she's panicking, wondering whether she's making a mistake and really wants your support. i don't know.

but as someone who also suffers from a phobia, i do understand how difficult it is for you. i think you have very good excuses as to why you can't make it. if she really wanted you there, she could change her plans. does'nt sound like she's compromised at all. not fair on her to emotionally blackmail you into going.

quanglewangle · 28/06/2006 21:02

Pruni, did I express myself a little too strongly? The tone may have been a little strident but I don't think the sentiments were much different to yours.
I am never sure if being over-emphatic helps or hinders the case.

dinny · 28/06/2006 21:25

blimey, good to see it's not just me that finds this a really dificult one! thanks for all your posts.

fwiw, I don't like her husband-to-be at all (becaause of the things she's told me he's done) but I would go to support her if it wasn't for the flying issue.

really not sure if my mum and dad will be able to go either as my dad was taken to hospital again last night (he is currently counfounding his consultant cardiologist as to what his condition is, so consultant is seeking advice from higher powers) what a nightmare. my sister's husband-to-be is definitely keen for there to be a rift between her and her family so it's probably part of his larger plan....

thanks for all your posts, really helpful to read.

OP posts:
quanglewangle · 28/06/2006 21:29

Well, good luck with whatever you decide. Forget the flying issue, it would be hard for you to get there anyway. Too many ties at home. Don't feel guilty.
Keep us updated!

dinny · 28/06/2006 21:36

Thanks!

Oh, and, Hunker, yes, I am working tomorrow. Hope to see you and sprogs xxx

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 23:32

Dinny, not tomorrow, next Thursday - am going to see about being milk donor and hospital is v near work so thought I'd pop in. Not sure how many children I'll have with me, but it won't be more than two

Pruni · 29/06/2006 06:59

Message withdrawn

marthamoo · 29/06/2006 07:25

You're phobic about flying. You're breast-feeding. The wedding co-incides with your dd's first week of school. The venue has been shifted with only a month's notice. Many of the important guests can't go now because of the change in venue.

Honestly, it's a no-brainer for me. I don't see how you can go. I think your sister should re-think...

FrannyandZooey · 29/06/2006 07:48

Bizarre. I think weddings are incredibly self-indulgent things to start off with. Once you start getting into expecting people to fly to different countries, overcome long standing phobias, miss important periods in their children's lives, etc....

well. I would not think twice about saying no and I would in fact be annoyed with her for expecting me to come.

And as for insisting someone helps with the preparation for your wedding, which is just a glorified ego-trip with a party attached, at the end of the day, instead of studying for something that is going to make a huge difference to the rest of their entire life...

well parpetty parp

Whole thread is bonkers.

quanglewangle · 29/06/2006 09:08

MMoo, perfectly summed up.
F&Z, exactly.
Pruni, cheers!