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Savvy June 2021

Bridesmaid is dating ex bf - how do i tell her he is not invited?

Hanna, on November 14, 2019 at 8:34 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 14

So hear me out...

One of my good friends and my little sister in my sorority is dating my ex boyfriend. We were together for 6 years and it was a very messy breakup, which included him low key stalking me and threatening my friends to get to me. A few years ago, my good friend told me that she had always been interested in my ex and she wanted my blessing to date him - I was not happy about it at first, but I was also in another serious relationship at this point, so over time I got over it. I wanted my friend to be happy and with or without my approval, she was going to do what made her happy.

It is now a year after college and I am engaged to be married next August. I asked her to be a bridesmaid as I really wanted to be able to share this special day with her. But now I am faced with the decision of whether or not to invite her BF/my ex BF. My fiance is very uncomfortable with the idea of him coming, and he obviously doesn't want to spend the money or share the day with someone who put me through hell after the breakup. Both of our families also know about the drama that occurred and I think that they would also find it weird if I invited her BF.


Am I in the wrong for not inviting him? They have been together for probably about 2 years at this point but don't live together. Also, how do I tell her that I don't want him there? I am not giving plus one's but should I make an exception for her since she is in my wedding party so that she could bring someone else??

Please help!!


14 Comments

Latest activity by Angel, on November 15, 2019 at 2:31 PM
  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    Regarding your last comment, plus ones are for single guests. Your guests who are in relationships, besides this one, should absolutely be invited together. Since you have a violent history with this boyfriend, this is the exception. I would just have an open and honest conversation with her. “FH and I were going over the guest list and I wanted to talk to you about __. I am not comfortable with him attending the wedding because of our history. I hope that you understand.”
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  • M
    Expert September 2020
    Marcia ·
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    Be prepared for her to not attend and for your friendship to suffer if you exclude him. I understand your reasoning but it’s still her serious boyfriend now and she is probably expecting him to attend with her.


    Tough situation. Good luck!
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  • Laura
    Master October 2019
    Laura ·
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    I totally agree and couldn't have put it any betterSmiley heart

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    Well really plus ones should be allowed unless you're limiting your guest list. I saw that if you want to limit that in your rsvp you should state that you guys are reserving a certain number of states for the guests. I agree with the others that bc of the history you have the right to ask him not to attend esp if your fh feels uneasy as well as you and your family. I feel your bm should understand. Like solely else said also be prepared for her to maybe be upset and not want to be a bm or worse case it could hurt your friendship.
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  • Chrysta
    Master November 2022
    Chrysta ·
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    Oh wow, what a horrible situation for you to be in! Although it will likely be uncomfortable for you, I would have an open, honest discussion with her about it. She is obviously a very close friend if she is a BM in your wedding, so I would assume she would behave like a good friend and be understanding about your (and your FS’s) feelings on the matter. I would explain to her that you love her and very much want her to be part of your special day, but having him there would cause you, your spouse and your families to be uncomfortable at your wedding. And I couldn’t imagine HE would feel comfortable being around all those people who know his unfavorable history either! The fact that she is a BM means he would likely be alone with these people a lot of the time also. I couldn’t imagine that would be a fun evening for him. Girls go out without their significant others all the time! This should be no different than if she was having “girls night out”- he can hang with his own friends for the night.
    Good luck girl!
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  • Courtney
    Super September 2019
    Courtney ·
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    Normally I would say you should respect their relationship and since you’ve both moved on it shouldn’t matter BUT he sounds like he was abusive (stalking and threatening) so I completely understand not wanting him to be part of your day in any way. I would talk to your friend about and say given our history I don’t want him at my wedding. You’re happy she’s happy with him and it’s not about their relationship together, it’s about your relationship with him. If she’s a friend she should get that.
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  • Tracie
    Dedicated April 2021
    Tracie ·
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    This is YOUR wedding day, and you are not obligated to have someone there that has caused you this much distress and pain. Be prepared for her to back out, but I would absolutely not invite this guy.
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  • Alejandra
    Super November 2021
    Alejandra ·
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    I think you and your FS’s feelings come first. Sit down with her and talk to her about why you’re not inviting him. If she’s a good friend, she’ll understand. I don’t think your friendship with her will suffer if you don’t invite him. If it does, I don’t think it was that great to begin with (which, honestly, I question why someone would want to date their friend’s ex, especially with such a messy breakup involved that I assume she knows about?).
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  • H
    Savvy June 2021
    Hanna ·
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    I talked to her this morning and she was very understanding!! she said I was crazy to think she would back out cuz of this and she was kind of expecting it, but there are no hard feelings. thanks y’all for all your advice!!!
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I'm glad it worked out for you ! I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable on your big day.
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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    That's great news. She's a good friend.
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  • Christine
    Expert September 2020
    Christine ·
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    That's great to hear! I think it'll be easier on everyone if he doesn't attend.

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  • Jennifer
    VIP August 2021
    Jennifer ·
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    I'm glad to hear it worked out!

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  • Angel
    Expert August 2020
    Angel ·
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    Absolutely do not feel obligated to have your EX at your wedding. It doesn't matter how long they've been together. This is your and your fiancé's day, if both of you are uncomfortable having that man there, then definitely just straight up tell her that he is not invited. You have every right to do so, and if she's a good friend she will understand.

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