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Do I tell my difficult brothers how to behave when I get married??

6 replies

mouseblue · 04/10/2014 15:07

My partner and I are planning to get married next April. We will have been together twenty years, have two children and wish to celebrate with a small wedding consisting mainly of our immediate families. We haven’t told anyone yet. My dilemma is that over the past five years two of my brothers have had issues and ongoing conflict on and off with each other and with both my mother and my father (my parents divorced more than 30 years ago) and have proved to be quite difficult and argumentative. The worst altercation they had was a near physical row with offensive and abusive language at a get together we hosted over the Christmas holidays five years ago.

My partner and I are overall forgiving people and we do not wish to exclude anyone from our special day. I would hope my brothers would be able to put any feelings of animosity aside and keep their behavior in check on the day. I feel hopeful that things will run smoothly the day we marry but my partner and I are worried that underlying tensions may tarnish our day. How do we do the right thing but also ensure we have a relaxed and fun celebration on our special day? Should I write to them both separately?? Please help!

OP posts:
BackforGood · 04/10/2014 15:16

I'm not sure anyone who didn't realise by themselves how to behave on such an occasion is likely to be the sort of person who would take notice of a letter, tbh.

Would it make sense to tailor your day, so there's not too much alcohol, or too much time when they have to spend together.... maybe a ceremony then afternoon tea, or a morning ceremony and a meal / drinks, but then "going away" of bride and groom to signal the end of the do, rather than going on into the night ?

mouseblue · 04/10/2014 15:26

BackforGood yes I think you're right about writing to them. And absolutely agree with you about the alcohol! Thought I'd book an early ceremony at the registry office followed by a lunch in a local hotel and finish by 3-4pm so no opportunity for people to get drunk and act stupid.

OP posts:
redexpat · 14/10/2014 22:52

Id use my summer camp method - get them involved with something on the day. Give them jobs. If they are occupied you minimise the chances of disagreements. So one could round everyone up for photos and the other could be usher, or caretaker of the gifts.

cheerupandhaveaglassofwine · 15/10/2014 18:17

I think I would just lay down the law and tell them you do not want your wedding day messing up because of there differences, explain you want them both there but they have to behave, no matter how much I dislike some family members I am always civil and well behaved when I need to be and wouldn't dream if letting disputes ruin another family members occasion, especially not there wedding

Timeforabiscuit · 15/10/2014 18:19

Drama feeds drama, so anything mentioned now will escalate to world war three by the actual event!

Definitely no alcohol, ask them to help out separately and yes to a speedy get away at the end!

TheCharWoman · 19/10/2014 21:46

Did anyone else notice that this OP was used by the Guardian family supplement this weekend?

OP, did you submit it to Annalisa as a question, or are the Guardian now scouring mumsnet for stories? Confused

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