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Erika
Beginner November 2021

Sister drama

Erika, on October 4, 2019 at 6:01 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 9
My sister and I don't get along. We never have. Due to a complicated family tree and family history, there's always been jealousy, stress, and high emotions all around. It's not any one person's fault, but as I've gotten older I've tried to be peaceful and haven't really felt that she's done the same. Maybe she's waiting for me to make a bigger move. I am the oldest and I'm sure she probably blames me for our poor relationship.

My mom just told me that my sister wants to be a bridesmaid. My sister never makes herself vulnerable, never tells people how she really feels, so the fact that she's hinting to my mom that she wants to be a bridesmaid is kind of a big deal. I had always assumed she wouldn't be interested.

If we were having a big wedding, I think I'd more readily say yes. I would love to have my fiance's siblings involved (2 sisters, 1 brother), and it would be respectful to have my own siblings involved as well, and there'd be more people to cushion any drama. But I was planning on only having a MOH. Partly to keep the cost low, partly less drama, partly my fiance and I value our best friends and don't have a large friend group.

The trick is that my fiance wants a best man and one other groomsman. We were thinking of maybe cutting one, or maybe having it asymmetrical. I feel like that would be a slap in the face to my sister though, especially if his brother is a groomsman. I don't want to include his siblings if neither of mine are included (though my brother probably couldn't care less). I just don't want to make her feel like she's purposely excluded. But if I do include her, I'm worried about added stress, possibly fighting, etc.

Any and all advice welcome. I'd especially love to hear from people with similar family drama about if they regret their decision to include or exclude a sibling.

9 Comments

Latest activity by Erika, on October 6, 2019 at 2:04 PM
  • Rose
    Devoted August 2020
    Rose ·
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    I have one sister that is just .... not the most adult (is the nicest way to put it). She is older than I am
    and still relies on my parents financially. She recently got a divorce herself and honestly she is just unreliable and dramatic. She’s still in my bridal party. The only thing she has to do is show up and ya know wear a dress. Anything else she does is an extra bonus. I think you can have your sister and not have the drama as long as you don’t have too high of expectations. There doesn’t have to be drama if you don’t want there to be, just keep your planning like you were without an extra bridesmaid and have her show up to the wedding.
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  • Erika
    Beginner November 2021
    Erika ·
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    What about bridesmaid duties? Parties? I'm also worried that including her will feel like an invitation for her to speak up more, and she doesn't have a very good attitude most of the time. I'm not totally against having her just show up day of like you said, but I worry that wouldn't fly with her. Have you talked to your sister about it at all? If so, how'd it go?
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  • Rose
    Devoted August 2020
    Rose ·
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    You were originally only planning on having a moh so you wouldn’t have much other help with “duties” per say. I haven’t talked to her much at all recently. Like I said she’s going through a divorce and just through a rough time to begin with. If your mom is coming to you with this then maybe she can make sure that your sister helps with the bridal party and things. My mom
    is taking the lead on that. My middle sister is planning the Bach party and that’s what your moh would do too. I will say tho my sister has been active in the bridal party conversations and she is active in the Bach party. My other bridesmaid already said she’s not coming to the Bach party (my eldest sister).
    i have very low expectations for my sister and so far she has exceeded them. This may be a good chance for you two to start fresh.
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  • Erika
    Beginner November 2021
    Erika ·
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    Starting fresh is the reason I'm considering it. Of course I'd love a fresh start and for us to be closer. I thought of scheduling a weekend getaway or something with her as a test run, but it can be hard to pin her down sometimes. Thank you so much for your input. It's easing some of my concerns.
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  • Rose
    Devoted August 2020
    Rose ·
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    Good luck! 🍀
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  • Jessica
    Expert October 2019
    Jessica ·
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    I would open up the line of communication with her now. Ask. Explain that you're not going to have a large wedding party the way it is now, but that your mother had mentioned she wanted to be a bridesmaid and that you'd love to have her as well.
    If you're wanting to give her duties, ask if she's comfortable with them and the added responsibilities or if she'd rather forego it.
    With there already being history, you do want to know what she is comfortable with, and let her know you do want to include her. See what she says
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  • Brandi
    Devoted July 2020
    Brandi ·
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    I look at these moments as a chance for reconciliation. There’s not a promise that it will work but you’ll never know until you try. Call your sister up, do dinner and really have a sister moment. I wouldn’t focus too much on who did what to make the relationship that way but to genuinely apologize and look forward to restoring a relationship that will be a lifetime support. I don’t think it’ll hurt to have your sister in the wedding. Of course, I don’t know your full story but my mother always said to me and my siblings “when I die, y’all are all y’all will have left of immediate family” and I hold on to that. There’s no pain in trying. Don’t give her responsibilities. But this new found relationship may be exactly what you need. I’d say go for it. Wish you the best.
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  • Erika
    Beginner November 2021
    Erika ·
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    Thank you so much for your input. I appreciate your perspective.
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  • Erika
    Beginner November 2021
    Erika ·
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    Thanks for all the input. I'm thinking of spending some time with her and seeing how it goes, and then asking her if things go well.
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