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Danica
Savvy February 2023

Etiquette Conscious Aunt Wearing White @ My Wedding

Danica, on October 7, 2022 at 10:45 AM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 59

Normally In this situation, I couldn't find myself caring. However, everyone always talks about " who wore white" to a wedding and will never shut up about it, so here I am.. annoyed that forever this will be brought up. However, my aunt has always been someone who keeps up with appearances, has...
Normally In this situation, I couldn't find myself caring. However, everyone always talks about " who wore white" to a wedding and will never shut up about it, so here I am.. annoyed that forever this will be brought up.


However, my aunt has always been someone who keeps up with appearances, has been badgering me with formalities about the way I have planned my wedding.
Ex: wanting plated meals instead of food stations, requesting very specific wordings on invites, telling me that digital invites are not real ( even when we're doing paper and digital versions ) etc
( by the way she isnt paying for anything, I don't know where she finds the audacity)
My wedding is in a super insanely gorgeous 1912 botanical garden, we asked guests to not wear white or wear any florals since the venue is already floral enough and very busy when it comes to the greenery and vines that are occurring all over the intimate setting. We said solid colors.

That's some context for you; I was in the phone with her a month ago and she told me she found a dress. She wanted to show me it. The dress is: - Cocktail length - All White - One dainty black flower trail on the bottom portion.

This is 100% inaccurate to what I stated on the site.
However, this is the part that I need advice on.

I told her " it's too white." She straight up said " it's not." I said it is. I'm the bride, and this is the only moment where I've put my foot down.
I then texted her 3 weeks later informing her once more, it's too White.
Well, My aunts sister in law saw the dress and told her ( without talking to me about it first) " it's too white."
My cousin ( her own daughter ) said " mom that's too White. You can't wear that."
My other aunt and her daughter visited last week and told her without me saying anything to them, " that's too white."
My aunt told these people " I'm going to pretend I didn't get Danica's text."
My cousin has offered a mother daughter day out where they both shop for a dress and spend time together, she refused.
My aunt wore white to my brother's wedding and dress rehearsal too.
I don't know what to do, but I'm seconds from texting my planner and informing her to invest in a 4XL bright pink shirt that says " I WORE WHITE" and have her wear that all day.
This aunt is like a mother to me, I'm so hurt that she's formality forward and knows the meanings of all these things and for some reason does this?
I need advice!

59 Comments

  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    I know that about Asia, but didn't think about it in US culture. Just double checking because I've never heard that in Canada.

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  • T
    Expert May 2010
    Theresa ·
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    Next time your Aunt texts you some piece of advice about your wedding, text back "I'm pretending I didn't get your text."

    Seriously though, I agree with PPs who said she's just looking for attention. Totally ignoring the dress and acting like it's no big deal is the best punishment.

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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Wow. This is just, wow. How horribly disrespectful of her. It’s one thing to unwittingly wear something inappropriate to an event. It’s quite another to do so on purpose, despite multiple people advising against it (including the host of the event!). Have her children had weddings? If so, did she wear white to them??
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  • Danica
    Savvy February 2023
    Danica ·
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    But the failed part of pretending it doesn't bother me is the beginning of my statement.


    All guests talk about my sister in laws wedding where " omg you remember that one that guest who wore white????"
    When I couldn't care but I forever don't want to hear that gossip about that day... it's irritating. That's the part that bothers me most.
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  • Danica
    Savvy February 2023
    Danica ·
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    They haven't had a wedding for either of her two kids, and the sad part is that they probably never will. They told me thus.


    I'm the only female in the family getting married that's blood related. She treats me as a daughter, we dress shopped together for my wedding dress. This is just beyond weird.
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  • Danica
    Savvy February 2023
    Danica ·
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    Too bad we don't have a DJ, but something like that isn't the worst idea.
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  • Danica
    Savvy February 2023
    Danica ·
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    Thank you, but that's not the point of my post?
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  • Danica
    Savvy February 2023
    Danica ·
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    Easier said than done.


    I can't let it go when other people are making it a thing and I've been laid back, but it seems to eat away at my family and guests more than me.
    Overtime it's getting ridiculous and more personally offensive since this is what everyone is mad about for me.
    That being said, I only have 5 blood relatives. Period. None else. My fiance? 65.

    Her choice of wearing white allows me to have less familial support in my wedding photos for memories.
    Should she pass away I won't have photos to remember her by because she wore white and I told my photog to not take images for?
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  • Michael
    Rockstar October 2023
    Michael ·
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    Sure. I just threw in the point on India in connection with someone else's post.

    Sorry that you have that irritating issue of your original post.

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  • Juliana
    Dedicated October 2022
    Juliana ·
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    I agree with the out right ignore her. She obviously is very full of herself. Not have her in any pictures and for the like one or two family ones have the photographer spasticity place here behind other people.
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  • T
    Expert May 2010
    Theresa ·
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    Sorry, yes, I actually did forget about that part after reading everyone else's replies. Not sure what to recommend for that. Family and friends do love to talk about the oddballs in the bunch!

    This is probably a far out there conspiracy theory, but I wonder if she never had her "dream wedding," and is trying to live vicariously through your wedding? Besides wearing white, wanting a say in food, invites, and whatnot kind of leads one to think that she wants it to be "her" wedding.

    In any case, I wonder what she might say if someone asks her why she is so intent on wearing white, instead of telling her she shouldn't. I can't imagine what it might be, but she may have a reason.

    Sorry you have to deal with this. Such a frustrating situation!

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  • Leslie
    Just Said Yes September 2023
    Leslie ·
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    Yes!!! I second that idea….cal her out
    and do it out loud…
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  • Valerie
    Just Said Yes June 2024
    Valerie ·
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    Personally I wouldn't invite her or I'd get her dress and burn it lol. Sorry but she won't listen to anyone so I'd tell her she won't be able to attend the wedding if she wears white. 😬
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  • Valerie
    Just Said Yes June 2024
    Valerie ·
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    I think this is the best answer yet!
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  • T
    Dedicated July 2017
    ti ·
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    What an interesting array of responses.

    I think its clear the the OP was making a tongue in cheek remark about a t shirt of shame, so lets not get at her for that.

    It seems clear from everybody's replies that regardless of whether its acceptable or not, you have two options here; either you let it go (which I totally understand would be very difficult and frustrating to do), or you let her know that if she is insisting on wearing that dress that you will be rescinding her invite to the wedding.

    Naturally the latter is likely to cause a fall out so it is worth considering whether you feel strongly enough about this to warrant that.

    I don't think your feelings are invalid here at all, it is very rude and unreasonable of her - especially after you have made it clear that you are not comfortable with it. But you need to decide how you want to resolve this.

    Wishing you all the luck in the world Smiley heart

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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    I understand all the people saying that you have to choose whether it’s worth potentially ruining your relationship with your aunt over a dress. However, isn’t that the decision your aunt is making? Isn’t she intentionally choosing to wear an inappropriate dress over her niece’s happiness? Isn’t she choosing to potentially ruin your day over a petty wardrobe choice?? I don’t think the weight of deciding the fate of your relationship should be placed on you. I think it should be placed on your aunt. Maybe call her and say hey, what is more important to you- a dress, or supporting me on my wedding day?
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  • T
    Dedicated July 2017
    ti ·
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    This is a good shout as well. Worth a try before you have to be the one to really put your foot down

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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Right? I think putting it as a choice to her: a dress versus your niece, puts the decision in her court and makes her realize how ridiculous she is being. And if she actually says a dress is more important than her happiness, then I think that says everything you need to know about how much she loves and values her family.
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  • Cece
    Rockstar October 2023
    Cece ·
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    Also, Maybe she truly doesn’t realize how upsetting this is to the bride. I know people have told her it’s inappropriate and she’s just laughed it off. But maybe that’s because she thinks it’s just silly, and doesn’t realize the impact it is having. By telling her she He’s choosing a dress over her niece, it makes it very clear how much she is upsetting the bride
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  • M
    VIP August 2021
    Michelle ·
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    Agree with this.


    OP, put it on the table like this because clearly she's not listening to guilt, etiquette rules, or appeals to empathy. And to add to your reply, it doesn't matter if she's only 1 of 5 blood relatives. Relatives don't get a pass for toxicity.
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