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Savvy May 2021

Family Drama

Sarah, on March 30, 2020 at 2:02 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 21

This is going to be a long post/rant! sorry!!

My FH and I dated for roughly a year and a half before getting engaged, and we got along with his mom well, and his sister lived in another state so I did not know her well. After we got engaged, I feel like his mom flipped a switch. She wanted to be really involved in our planning, which I initially adored and was happy that she wanted to help us plan, along with my mother who is helping us immensely both planning and financially. FMIL married FH's stepdad in 2016, and she began to relate everything about our wedding back to theirs. "well for my wedding.... this is how much we spend on this....". please keep in mind she is not financially helping at all. Which is more than okay, but she judges how much everything is and how much we choose to spend. FH's sister became pregnant 3 months after moving here with someone related to their stepdad. (we found out the day after we got engaged). FH's mom pulled me aside to tell me in private about the pregnancy, and wanted me to hide it from FH. I ended up telling him because I felt horribly about hiding something like that from him, and honestly I wish she would not have told me and just communicated that to her son directly, or let his sister tell him. I am not close to his sister, but I felt like she is his sister and should be included on our wedding day as a part of our bridal party. FMIL texted me "you need to put my daughter in your wedding" which I did not like, but I already decided that i was going to, so I did not address it. FSIL doesnt seem like she wants to be in the wedding, she does not seem happy about it, she and her boyfriend are constantly out of jobs, so I am not sure she can afford it. I know FMIL will help her pay for her things, which will only make FH more upset as FMIL clearly favorites her daughter. fsil is constantly trying to one up FH (she is 34, we are 24). this weekend, she posted on facebook "cant wait to get married in a few weeks" FH and my Ffil(who lives In another state) had hurt feelings that they found out about her engagement through Facebook. Somehow, she found out about how they felt and texted them that it was a joke and they needed to relax, and that she knows how upset FH would be if she "dared get married before him" (he would not care at all). FSIL Then posted on FB that if people did not like what she posted, then they could delete her. FMIL and FSIL are constantly doing things like this in cohorts, and it hurts FH's feelings, and quite frankly mine as well. they are also quite rude to me, but I try to let it go because it is not my place. The last time I saw them, they mocked me for "planning" FH's and I's life, our wedding, and finances. They said that kids just happen and I can't prevent them and that we'll never save enough money to purchase a house. Last night, FMIL told FH that they were "shocked" when I asked FSIL to be in the wedding. This really hurt my feelings because I feel like I am trying to do the right thing and they still find something to make drama of. They are exhausting. I am not sure what advice I am looking for here, but I am over having his sister in our wedding and I have stopped inviting his mom to things because when we leave I am usually in tears.

21 Comments

Latest activity by Sidney, on April 5, 2020 at 10:01 AM
  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    This is insane omg. I am so sorry you are having to deal. I would totally not tell them about any wedding planning anymore. Just do it all on your own and don’t involve his mother, especially not telling her how much things cost. If she isn’t paying, none of this is any of her business.


    Also, you can’t prevent kids from happening...? Anyone heard of birth control......? What even.....? 😂
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Apparently not LOL. most of her judgement was at the wedding venue, she saw how much it costs and the entire ride back home she talked about how she won her venue for free and DIY'd everything. That was also her 3rd wedding.

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  • Aimee
    Super July 2021
    Aimee ·
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    Your joint finances are only between you and FH. No one else should know or have opinions about it I f they do not have any helpful opinions. I would be cordial with them but I would keep the planning to only you two or only people who have some financial part in your wedding.
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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Wow! These two sound like they thrive on drama and where there is none they make it. I agree with Gen and just don’t include them in your wedding planning. Wedding planning is stressful enough and if they aren’t supporting you and your fiancé than they can keep their two cents where the sun don’t shine. If they ask why you haven’t been asking for their help or including them just tell them you and FH are handling it and leave it at that. No explanations or justifications needed. Focus on you two.
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    I agree. I never openly discuss these things with them, but FMIL has seen the venue cost from the tour, and they like to make fun of me planning (I am a virgo, type A list maker, and they are basically totally opposite me). They make me feel bad for being me. I cant imagine that is the purpose, its just how I feel.

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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Yes, they very much love drama. It gives me anxiety. I think FH is use to it, as this is how he grew up, but I can't deal. Smiley sad

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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Also, how would you handle her being a BM? I know there is no way to really take it back, but would you invite her to the bach party, give her all the gifts you are giving the others, etc? I feel like obviously I have to, I just want someone else's opinion, lol.

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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Are they aware of how their actions and making fun of you is making you feel? I know some people think these things are said in jest and follow up with “it’s no big deal” “lighten up” “Don’t take it seriously” and don’t realize they are bullies using cop out statements to revert blame back on the victim. Sometimes it’s ignorance.


    If they are aware of how this makes you and your fiancé feel awful, then don’t include them anymore. A hard lesson I’m still learning personally myself is we can’t please everyone. Even if we were the nicest most perfect people on Earth, someone will always try to find something wrong to bring us down. Don’t let them bring you and your fiancé down. Celebrate each other and focus on what you love about one another.
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    I can't tell. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I know from watching his mom deal with others that she is very calculated in what she says/ does, which makes me think they are just trying to make as much drama as possible. I could be wrong.

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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Some might disagree with me but I would say you can take back the BM offer if they are not supporting you. Sure, they will get mad but it sounds like they’ll get mad at anything/everything. BMs are supposed to help the bride as a confidante, advice giver, errand runner, keeping bride calm and hydrated, etc. If she just wants to wear a fancy dress and be in photos, there are still overall family photos. I would vote to not make yourself miserable for their benefit.
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    How would you go about that? I feel like I may start ww3. lol.

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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Lol, it might feel like it 😅


    This is how I would deal with it, but keep in mind you know these people better so you would be a better judge if any of what I say would work.I can’t remember if you said she still lives in another state. If she is close by, you might have to have this conversation with her in person. You can use the points you brought up in the thread to support your stance and make it non-accusatory and choose your words carefully and keep emotions at a distance. Like breaking up with a boyfriend almost. You can tell she isn’t into/happy being a bridesmaid. You don’t want to force her into anything and asked her originally because it seemed something important to her but evidently it isn’t and that’s OK. She is still family and is an important figure in the wedding and doesn’t need to be a BM to be any more/less important. She can enjoy the wedding as a guest and not worry about who is going to watch the little one, etc etc. Kind of sell her on the bonus points of not being a bridesmaid. If this makes your bridal party uneven, then you can come up with creative ideas for everyone walking down the aisle. Maybe the last bridesmaid gets TWO men on her arms to escort her 😄 Regardless, it needs to be a convo with just the two of you - his mom should not be involved. She will most likely have a problem with this so have a statement/speech ready similar to how you talked to the sister. In the end, you are all adults and should be able to talk through this reasonably. If reason is thrown out the window and they start name calling or making more fun of you, you stand your ground and tell them you appreciate their opinion but in the end you and your fiancé feel this is best for your day. They can build a bridge and get over it (maybe not that last part.)

    But maybe this isn’t the way to go. Like I said, you know the family better and what would and wouldn’t go over well. You could strategize with fiancé on how to proceed delicately?
    There is a thread I found that has some different pieces of advice from other brides on this touchy subject: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/how-to-fire-a-bridesmaid/5a983d53be325fb1.html
    https://www.brides.com/story/how-do-you-fire-a-bridesmaid

    https://weddedwonderland.com/7-ways-to-break-up-with-your-bridesmaid/



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  • Kimberly
    Expert October 2020
    Kimberly ·
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    Keep your spirits up! Hope it all goes well for you. ❤️
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Thank you for your advice/help! It has been exhausting and they make me feel like I am crazy!

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  • Nicole
    Dedicated September 2021
    Nicole ·
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    Wow. So firstly, this sounds very very similar to a wedding situation I found myself related to. Not directly, but close enough- I was the MOH. I’m sorry that you’re dealing with the added stress of being peacekeeper. Unfortunately you’re in a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” battle. So easier said than done, but I’d encourage you to put you and your fiancé’s ideal day first because you’re the bad guy either way right? As Brene Brown put it “If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked them I’m not interested in your feedback.” Or translate to wedding: no money = no opinions.
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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    Yes, I dont want to be worried about them on wedding day. I also don't want to hurt anyone's feelings and I am not sure if kicked FSIL out is worth the headache, but also I am not sure how much of a headache it will be to keep her in? Ugh. its all political. I regret asking her, I just thought I was being fair and nice since FH's stepbrother's wife is also in the wedding party (we are much closer than fsil).

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  • Nicole
    Dedicated September 2021
    Nicole ·
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    What I can say is that my bride did not notice the FSIL being the rotten egg on the big day (only the bridal party did). She said she thoroughly enjoyed the day and said there were too many other things happening and that the joy was bigger than the politics. So I hope that’s encouraging. Smiley smile


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  • S
    Savvy May 2021
    Sarah ·
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    That is encouraging! my MOH also knows everything that goes on, and is not afraid to put her In her place, however I dont want it to come to that.

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  • Sabrina
    Dedicated September 2020
    Sabrina ·
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    I'm so sorry 💔. She sounds clinical!


    I hope you are expressing to your FH how you feel. Also, this might just be me, but I would tell FSIL that she is no longer in the bridal party.
    Tell his mom that while I appreciate your help (using the word light) I would prefer to do the rest of the planning alone. I would tell your FH first and then also say to his mom, I've already discussed this with (FH name here) and we agree that the rest of the planning will be done with just the two of us
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  • Naikesha
    Super September 2020
    Naikesha ·
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    Okay so first of all. Go on planning and living your life without them. the mom isn't paying so she has no say . Stop wedding talking to her and the sister as well. Let her weed herself out discontinue all wedding discussions unless she asks something BM related to show interest.

    Hang in there, seems like you are going to be on a bumpy roller coaster if you continue to allow them to hurt your feelings. Speak up and say hey guys I understand that you may be joking and maybe it's me being wedding crazy but I find some of things you guys say hurtful. Or say hey I appreciate all your help and support but FH and I have spoken and we truly want our wedding to have our hand-print on it. We want to plan it our way and have our vision. And tell your FH to speak up as well.

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