Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

M
Just Said Yes November 2022

Would you confront the in-laws?

Melly, on October 3, 2022 at 9:23 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 9
Sorry this is long.
Getting married in less than 6 weeks, and my bachelorette is in 3 weeks.We planned our wedding 12 months out for the day, and honestly, it’s been nothing but drama from the in-law side. Not ONE plan or decision has been able to be made without input/opinion/backstabbing. We are self-funding our whole wedding, keeping jobs or roles minimal and want everyone to come and be treated. The wedding is expensive by choice, because we have hand picked everything we love and want. FH family do not understand, they are used to DIY weddings where everyone helps out. I come from a very self sufficient background where I want to hand pick every detail with my partner - I think it’s beautiful that it really represents us. Plus he loves being involved and picking things together.

We tried giving heaps of information, no information, we tried giving small jobs (not that there are really any to do!). We tried distracting MIL with chatting about her outfit and giving her inside info on surprise elements we have at the wedding. Older SIL was in tears for weeks over “no children” and we ended up allowing family children so her kids could come (the wedding was adults only at the start). Younger SIL thought she would be in the bridal party but is a brat and doesn’t get along with anyone so we chose friends instead. She is not currently speaking to FH, but wants a “role”. I have come very close to taking her off the guest list.Close cousin declined invite months out cos she refused to get a babysitter. Then bombarded FH with abusive texts saying he was a rubbish Godparent to her child.Other female cousin complained our wedding was too close to hers.Multiple Aunts complained about the cost of the Bachelorette and have been calling, texting, questioning my Bridesmaids.
The tricky thing is that all this has been handled by FH, but obviously I’ve heard it all (and from others, even my family members who have been contacted about the Bachelorette!). NO ONE has ever raised anything directly with me. When I see everyone, they are lovely and normal. My poor FH used to be a chronic people pleaser but he got fed up early in the planning and put his foot down with everyone which has just caused chaos. This hasn’t stopped them saying how “sad” and “disappointed” they are, and are still trying to guilt him/us into changing things. Not one of his family have asked what me or my family want, they actually act like my family doesn’t exist. I feel bad for my family as they are just happily coming along, not putting their nose into everything.
Younger SIL has been “helping” with Bachelorette (my FHs request to give her something to do) but my sister says she’s been painful. I’m so uncomfortable having her and the older SIL (and anyone else who complained) at the Bachelorette cos my FH won’t be there and I am worried I’ll say something to them once I’ve had a few drinks.I’m harbouring a lot of anger towards them all for making my FH miserable. He’s been in tears multiple times about how much this has tainted every aspect of the planning. This is time and memories we can’t get back. We are only starting to get excited now (everyone has back off a little except younger SIL), so I almost feel like it’s too late to bring it up now.
I want them to know they have put us through hell (he told them multiple times that we are thinking of cancelling and eloping). I don’t think it’s right for them to come along to the wedding and have me act friendly and normal, they eat and drink on my budget, and all be treated amazingly on the day, thinking it’s ok that they have tainted our planning for the last 12 months.
Would you bring it up at all so that they know I know everything? Before the wedding wouldn’t be a good idea, but after the wedding might also seem petty. Or shall I continue to be the bigger person and just leave it? I have to have a relationship with the in-laws in the future, and they seemingly have gotten away with making us almost cancel our wedding at times.

9 Comments

Latest activity by Michelle, on October 6, 2022 at 2:06 PM
  • M
    Just Said Yes November 2022
    Melly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Just wanted to add that those things are just examples, there have been MANY more. Guilt trips and long text messages to FH how he has been so terrible to everyone by saying no to their requests. FH being uninvited to things. Family friends coming in to battle for the in-laws and saying how we should let “everyone be involved”.
    The thing that really got me beaten down this week was my MIL contacting my Mother and saying she will organise Something old, something new etc., to which my mother felt like she couldn’t say no and they are now doing it together. I really wanted my mom to be able to do some special things as Mother of the Bride, without interference or having to share those roles with MIL 😔
    • Reply
  • Jasmine S.
    VIP May 2022
    Jasmine S. ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Your wedding is in a month. Could you just not see them until then? Don't have dinner with them, don't invite them out, keep the texts and phone calls to a minimum. This does sound rough and annoying, but you're close, so hang in there.
    • Reply
  • Shannon
    Super July 2022
    Shannon ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I learned early on in the planning process not to give details to others. This way, they cannot give opinions and input. They would offer help or opinions, and my response would be…thank you for the offer, we are handling it. I was letting nothing out about any aspect of our wedding. People quickly stopped asking.

    I would take this approach moving forward and give no details unless they absolutely need to know type of details like what time to show up, etc. Shut them down.
    This is your wedding and they are sabotaging it.
    I would let them know post wedding how disappointed you are they they made what was suppose to be a happy and fun planning process, a miserable one.
    • Reply
  • Paige
    VIP October 2022
    Paige ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Information diets are great for people who want to meddle. "It's a surprise" or "we already covered that" or "we're still finalizing details on that" are all great responses. Since you're so close to your wedding date, I'd take Jasmine's suggestion and just not respond. If your MIL tries to butt into something you're doing with your mom, I'd just tell her (or have your mom tell her if that's who MIL contacts) "Sorry, that's already been handled." No further details, no additional response if she wants to argue.

    After the wedding when the dust settles, I'd have a conversation with anyone who's been out of line and tell them that their behavior was incredibly hurtful to you and your fiancé, they made the day about them when it was supposed to be about the two of you, and if they cannot respect the two of you going forward that you'll be forced to cut ties.

    • Reply
  • A
    Devoted November 2022
    Allaura ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    If SILs are going to be at your bachelorette party and your nervous something might slip I’d address it before then. Just a simple “Hey I wanted to make sure we were okay before we have this party. I’ve been hearing and noticing you all are not happy with some things and if you have anything you’d like to address I think now is the time to do it so it doesn’t affect the vibe going forward.”
    • Reply
  • E
    Devoted May 2023
    Ebony ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Hey:

    I'm sorry that you are going through this and quite frankly I would tell you to simply cut them off. I know it's easier said then done and the type of person I am I have no issue with cutting people off but I feel this may be the best for you. I have a very toxic mother and sister in law who will not be attending our destination wedding. When they first found out we were getting married they seemed "happy" but that happiness soon turned into jealousy and bitterness like everything else do when it comes to them. They didn't/haven't helped us pay for anything, they didn't help with ideas, they ignored messages when it came to the wedding, and even made nasty remarks like, "I'm happy I'm not giving my daughter away because that mean I would have had to help with yall wedding.' They both are evil people. But just because it was easy for me to cut them off it wasn't for my fiancé, it took him awhile but luckily he noticed how toxic and damaging they were to our relationship. I go to therapy and my therapist told me that the top 3 things for divorce is America is:

    1. Money

    2. Sex and

    3. INLAWS!!! 70% of healthy marriages is because the husband and or wife didn't get close to their in-laws.

    When my therapist told me this, I had to share it with my fiancé and it was like he had an epiphany. Not only where they being toxic to me but to him and OUR relationship. Now that they are not including in anything things have been so much better for us. Sometimes you have to love people from a distance.

    • Reply
  • Mrs.evans
    VIP October 2022
    Mrs.evans ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Hi wow it seems like all that you have said right is a mirror to what I has been going through. Also though out the planning it is exciting anymore for me and we are not having children just a handful of teen agers and that's it. Can't wait for it to be over at first he did said that we should elope but I didn't bc of our parents and very close family who has been with us throughout our lives. But it's a medium sized wedding and too much money has been spent. I hope that you had a great wedding or you are a few months away for it. And do your best for both of you guys sanity not responding back the way they you too. Over here the same way not it's our way I hope that everything works out
    • Reply
  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Melly, omg that sounds awful. I'm not sure why weddings turn people into crazies, but they really do. The amount of entitlement is astounding. It's hard to really say what would be best, but I always lean toward honesty with the people that are important to me. However, addressing the elephant in the room directly might not go the way you would hope. Either way I hope everything goes a lot better for you starting now!

    • Reply
  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Cut out toxic people, regardless of who they are. There is no reason to accept disrespect from anyone, including parents. If they don’t get along now, they will not after the weddings, even with boundaries in place if they have no desire to respect them.
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

WeddingWire article topics