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Beginner April 2020

I'm postponing our wedding and my fiance is furious at me for it.

Kay, on July 11, 2019 at 1:31 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 1 26

And oddly, I'm relieved.

Let me explain. In the last year of getting engaged I've been so excited but have found it more of a burden then anything. I've noticed a lot of new behavior in my fiance, one that I might have just been too blind to see until now. He's taken his mother's side in everything, from planning our wedding to picking out my bridesmaids and they've shrugged off my thoughts, but have burdened me with calling the vendors and balancing the budget. He's become needy, as in calls me right away if I don't reply in his timely manner. I always need to find time to see him, or else he'll threaten me. He's even shown up at my work just to make sure I'm there. I feel disrespected and trapped by him and maybe this also something that had contribute to my own dismay when it comes to my wedding.

To make matters worse, in the past few months I've been in a car accident which resulted in my car being a total loss and have medical bills despite being not at fault. I've lost my closest friend. A very special family member died. School has been difficult and instead of the support from my fiance I'd like, he says he understands and it will get better but I can't let it effect the wedding. I''ve become a heavy drinker, as in never sober, and after being hospitalized due to alcohol poisoning and a stern talking to from a sibling, I decided I needed to make a choice for myself.

I told my fiance today I wanted to postpone the wedding. I wanted to get the help I need and take care of myself. I want us to get some counseling because the engagement has shown some shady things about him - always wanting his mother's approval, insecurity. He's angry at me and refuses to speak to me and I understand why. I still love him despite the way he's become and I still hope to marry him, but not as soon as he once thought.

I guess I'm hoping from assurance or advice on whether or not I'm being selfish here.

26 Comments

Latest activity by Samantha, on April 8, 2021 at 3:22 PM
  • Kaycee
    Beginner October 2019
    Kaycee ·
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    You aren't being selfish, you're being smart. I'm so sorry you've been through so much, but glad to hear you're recognizing there's something wrong and are taking the time to work through it. My first husband became controlling, abusive, and started slowly breaking me down after we got married. I made it out of that but trust me when I say getting out after you're married is much harder. Hopefully you can work through it, and if you don't, you'll be okay then too. Take the time now to focus on getting better and you'll be so glad you did. You don't want to enter a marriage and what should be a happy time in your life this way ♥️
    • Reply
  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Lady, I am so proud of you!!! For seeing some red (or yellow) flags you’d like a closer look at in your relationship and for prioritizing your self-care right now at a time that does seem urgent. You are a very wise woman. I’m in awe. I’m sure this is tough and you’re choosing a healthy path. Very proud of you. 💜
    • Reply
  • KiwiDerbyBride
    VIP May 2015
    KiwiDerbyBride ·
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    You are certainly not being selfish. Your post is one giant red flag - your fiance's behaviour does not predict a happy marriage. Postpone, get to counselling (and if he won't go with you, go by yourself) and reevaluate if you want to spend the rest of your life coming second to his mother.

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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    That is such a smart thing for you to do. People forget about their own health and wedding planning can get so stressful. Take care of yourself and if he's truly the one.. he would be there to support what's best for your health.
    • Reply
  • D
    Super July 2020
    D ·
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    You are doing the right thing hun. I'm not sure what you mean he "threatens" you, if physically or by breaking up but that right there is a red red flag. Certainly take time to heal whatever is behind the heavy drinking. I would seek private counseling as well as couples. Take care of yourself first.
    The fact you feel relieved by postponing says you are playing it smart. Don't marry when it doesn't feel right. There's nothing selfish with that. Be well!
    • Reply
  • MrsJohansson
    Expert June 2019
    MrsJohansson ·
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    I think you did the right thing. You are going through a lot and it doesn't sound like your FH is all that supportive of your feelings and experiences. I'd take the time to put YOU at the forefront and re-evaluate whether this is the right relationship for you.

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  • Sharon
    Super September 2021
    Sharon ·
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    You are not being selfish at all! He's the one being selfish by not recognizing all that you've gone through and helping you through it. It's so easy to get caught up in this wedding planning excitement that a lot of people overlook the red flags. You're brave and smart to take a step back now and take care of yourself first. Definitely get counseling to help you deal with everything you've been through. Hopefully he'll agree to couples counseling. I know its hard, but you really need to think long and hard if you want to marry a man who is controlling, manipulative and puts his mother above you. No matter how much you love him, those are not good qualities in a man. I wish you the best.
    • Reply
  • F
    VIP August 2019
    Futuremrsk ·
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    You are 100% doing the right thing. Good for you for noticing the change in his behaviors and in yourself and realizing that marriage isn't a cure all for lifes issues. Please take as long as you need to make sure you are healthy and your relationship is healthy before getting married. Good luck, I hope it all works out for the best for you!
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  • Formerbride
    VIP June 2019
    Formerbride ·
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    I second this. That is such a tough decision to make! Most people don't and go ahead with the wedding. Kudos to you. Best wishes!
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  • Kelly
    VIP October 2020
    Kelly ·
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    First and foremost kudos to you for getting yourself help! That's amazing. Keep it up.
    That being said your fiance is showing a LOT of red flags. Threatening you? Showing up to your place of employment? Picking your bridesmaids? All abusive behavior. Get couple's and individual counseling. Don't be afraid to break up with him if he keeps placing you in danger.
    • Reply
  • Nikita
    VIP April 2019
    Nikita ·
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    I applaud your self-awareness during this time. I think you're making the mature decision on getting yourself stable before committing your life to him. His behavior is definitely a giant red flag. He could be just have a horribly negative reaction to the stress or be unstable himself. Either way, you both need to take care of yourselves before moving forward. You can't have a strong marriage if you can't trust and lean on each other in times like this.

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  • T
    Tina ·
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    I think you are being very strong and smart.

    More people should follow in your footsteps when they see red flags... and the divorce rate would be much lower.
    • Reply
  • Emily
    Super April 2020
    Emily ·
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    From what I've read, I think you're making a very smart decision. You can't be in a successful relationship if you neglect yourself. It sounds like he's trying to trap you, and who's to say his behavior won't get worse once you are married. Listen to your gut - you wrote that you feel relieved that you've made this decision because of everything listed, just ask yourself if there's more to that as well. Now's the time to really think and reflect.

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  • Fmv
    Super October 2020
    Fmv ·
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    Kudos to you for knowing the warning signs and knowing you need to work on things before getting married. You are a very smart and confident person to do this.
    Dont let him bull you into marrying him. If his actions dont change you have to think....can you marry someone who takes these actions of harrasing you, showing up at your work and always needing his moms approval. All warning signs. Good luck to you!
    • Reply
  • Melissa
    VIP September 2019
    Melissa ·
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    You are the absolute furthest thing from selfish. Recognizing that you both have issues you need to work on is so good. You can’t be in a healthy relationship if you aren’t right with yourself first. You should not be second to his mother at all and that is definitely something that should be brought up in counseling. You’re definitely on the right path & will make it through this.
    • Reply
  • NextChapterReady
    Super October 2019
    NextChapterReady ·
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    You have to take care of you. It sounds like you've made a very mature decision after a lot of careful planning. There are numerous red flags you've mentioned and don't let him sway you from taking care of yourself and taking the time you need to decide what will make YOU happy.

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    Threatening you? That calls for calling off the wedding, not just postponing it.

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  • Jess
    Super September 2019
    Jess ·
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    Wow this is a tough spot. I'm so sorry for everything you are going through. I respect you so much for knowing that these are the decisions that need to be made to help yourself! You are so much stronger than I could ever be! So no you are not being selfish at all! Take the time to get yourself better and your relationship better. Everything else will work out after that!

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  • Ana
    Devoted September 2019
    Ana ·
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    Your doing the right thing taking care of you. My father always says you have to look out for number 1. If he likes he’s you he’ll understand.
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  • W
    VIP September 2020
    Willow ·
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    His behavior sounds really controlling and scary. Bear in mind that some abusers seem fine at first, but the physical violence doesn't start until after a significant event, such as a marriage, loss of a job, or children. Is he needy or controlling? His threatening you and showing up at your job are extremely worrisome. And why is he picking out your bridesmaids?

    Marriage is a partnership. Wedding planning is a chance to see how you and your partner work together, handle stressful logistics, and manage money. If he does all the "fun" wedding planning stuff, disregards your thoughts, and leaves you with all the unfun footwork, that's a huge indicator of how he will be in the relationship in the long run.

    Please consult with a therapist (on your own) to identify if you are in a relationship with a DV perp in the making.
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