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Should I be offended?

Hopefully, Cliffs Notes back story--my DH is the oldest in his family.  After him is his brother  and then the youngest of the 3 kids is his sister.  DH and I got married back in early 2009.  His brother started dating his now-fiance at the end of 2009, thus she was not in my wedding. 

Now, his brother and his brother's fiance are getting married in August and have asked DH and DH's sister to be in the wedding.  They have also asked the fiance of DH's sister to officiate the wedding as he was ordained online.  Should I be offended that I am the only one out of the whole family to not be included in some way?

 

Re: Should I be offended?

  • Should you be offended? Not unless you really want to be "special".

    The courtesy of including siblings in a bridal party does not extend to in laws under ordinary circumstances. The choice of the SIL's FI as officient seems more opportunistic than anything.

    Buy a kickass dress and have fun without any of the work.

  • No, you shouldn't be offended. 
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  • No, you should not be.  I'm sure you'll be invited to be a guest at the wedding, which is also an honor.
  • image-auntie-:

    Should you be offended? Not unless you really want to be "special".

    The courtesy of including siblings in a bridal party does not extend to in laws under ordinary circumstances. The choice of the SIL's FI as officient seems more opportunistic than anything.

    Buy a kickass dress and have fun without any of the work.

    Opportunistic in what sense?

  • They needed someone to perform their ceremony, and he happened to be ordained.  If he weren't ordained, maybe they would not have asked him to be involved, either.
  • No. Who cares? Why would you be offended? 
  • i could see how, if i were in your shoes, i'd wonder about it but no, i dont think you should be insulted. a WP, as you know, is not a list of everyone you can possibly think of. it's select people that you want to be. dont take it personally. in fact-be happy-you dont have to deal with all of the crap that goes along with it.
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  • Yes, I know it seems a little silly, but I can't help but feel a little hurt by the exclusion, whether intentional or unintentional. 

    As with most families, there is more to the back story.  No one in the family was super excited about DH's brother asking her to marry him.  She is a nice enough girl, but definitely has some quirks (being a little overpossessive, etc.)  However, we have all come to the conclusion that as long as he's happy, that's what matters. 

    The weird thing is that she has been obsessed with DH's sister since meeting the family and has done everything to impress her, while not really trying that hard with DH or myself.  So, to me, her including DH's sister and DH's sister FI is just another way to show that she values them at least a little more than us.  I actually think if it were up to her, DH wouldn't be in the wedding either, but in spite of her efforts to come between them, DH and his brother have remained close and I know he would never dream of not including DH in the WP.

    I guess it's just the way it is and should accept it and move on.

  • Step outside yourself.  It would be weird if she tried to befriend your DH and not DH's sister....it might even look fishy.  And, maybe, she just doesn't like DH or you.  Who knows.  Just let it go.

  • I wouldn't be offended if I were you- it's common in many families to include all siblings in the wedding party, which they did.  I think having the other brother's FI officiate was probably due to the fact that she is ordained and would save them the time and expense of finding someone else to do it, and it's nice to have a family member involved.

    I don't think they singled you out not to participate, but since you're not a sibling, you didn't get included. 

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  • I can't knock you for being a little hurt. Your feelings are your feelings.  But I still think "offended" is a bit much.

    I honestly feel this is an unfair pressure, though.  Wedding planning is so hard as it is, and then trying to pick your BP.  Who knows the reasons for asking your SIL's FI, but to basically have this expectation/ pressure that not only all the siblings must be in the wedding, but so must their SO's?

    You're clearly not close to her.  I genuinely don't understand why you'd really even want to be in the WP outside of "i'm the only one not included".  It's not about your actual relationship w/ her.  It's just about be "the only one".

     

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  • No.

    It's their decision who to put in the wedding.  You aren't owed a spot because you are a future sister-in-law.  Being a guest is an honor, too.

    I can understand having a knee-jerk reaction of upset, but let it go.  It's okay.

  • Remember, you aren't a mind reader and she is allowed to choose whoever she pleases ?  Maybe she is trying harder with his sister, and if she is, so what ?  Maybe she thinks they have more in common?  Maybe she sees more potential for a friendship there?  Maybe it is just the fact that she is a blood relative and not an IL.  Who knows. 

    Yes, it is ok to feel a bit hurt, but this is something I would keep to yourself. 

  • Personally if someone that I am not related to by blood and am not really friends with got offended that I didn't ask them to be in my wedding, I would give her a side eye and possibly get offended myself. Remember that it is her day and it is not about pleasing all future family members, but it is about her and her H celebrating together. It is an honor to be an invited guest and maybe she isn't putting as much effort into the relationship with you as with your H's sister because a) they have more in common or b) you just dont really like her and she can tell. 

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  • imageMEJOHNSO:

    Yes, I know it seems a little silly, but I can't help but feel a little hurt by the exclusion, whether intentional or unintentional. 

    As with most families, there is more to the back story.  No one in the family was super excited about DH's brother asking her to marry him.  She is a nice enough girl, but definitely has some quirks (being a little overpossessive, etc.)  However, we have all come to the conclusion that as long as he's happy, that's what matters. 

    The weird thing is that she has been obsessed with DH's sister since meeting the family and has done everything to impress her, while not really trying that hard with DH or myself.  So, to me, her including DH's sister and DH's sister FI is just another way to show that she values them at least a little more than us.  I actually think if it were up to her, DH wouldn't be in the wedding either, but in spite of her efforts to come between them, DH and his brother have remained close and I know he would never dream of not including DH in the WP.

    I guess it's just the way it is and should accept it and move on.

    If this is the case, and it's how it has always been, I don't know why you would have expected/wanted to be in the WP. Don't lose sleep over bullsh!t like this. It's stupid. 

    As far as the WP party goes, brides/grooms select their nearest and dearest, those that are most important to them. Clearly you aren't too important to her. And regarding her disinterest in you in general, whatever man. Really, who gives a crap?

    Let this go. Life's too short!

  • I'd be happy that I didn't have to be a BM but that's me.  Like a previous poster said, get a fabulous dress and rock it as a guest.
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  • imageJoy2611:

    It's their decision who to put in the wedding.  You aren't owed a spot because you are a future sister-in-law.  Being a guest is an honor, too

    Strictly speaking. She's not even really a sister-in-law, they will be married to brothers. The brother's sister- she's a sister-in-law.

    Feel whatever you feel, but don't make this about you being butthurt.

  • I would wonder about it too, and I completely understand where you're coming from, but I wouldn't be offended.  Weddings are more fun without being part of the wedding anyway!
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  • imageCiardasully:
    I'd be happy that I didn't have to be a BM but that's me.  Like a previous poster said, get a fabulous dress and rock it as a guest.

    And, think about how much money you'll save not having to buy the dress and the other stuff to go with it...nails, hair, makeup, shoes, jewelry...

  • No.  Why would you be offended?  It sounds like the only asked the fiance to be in it because it saves them finding and paying for an officiant and it's really normal not to include your SIL in your wedding party unless you are super close.
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  • imagegreenbeanqueen:
    It is an honor to be an invited guest and maybe she isn't putting as much effort into the relationship with you as with your H's sister because a) they have more in common or b) you just dont really like her and she can tell. 

    Thanks for all the advice to just let it go.  I've simmered down a bit now.  Interestingly enough, DH's sister dislikes her even more than I do and called me the other night to say she is dreading being in the wedding because of all the drama that is sure to ensue.  So, yes, it is probably a blessing I don't have to deal with that/fork out money/have responsibility and I can just go and have fun.

  • DH and I just got married in October. He has 1 brother, 2 sisters, a niece, a nephew, and a BIL, plus an entire step-family. Honestly, I was killing myself trying "not to offend anyone" by only asking part of them to be in the ceremony (his brother was our BM and niece was our flower girl, plus mom and dad both played a role). I ended up not asking his sisters (or BIL or step-siblings)  to be in my wedding party, and one of them didn't even bother showing up after raving about how excited she was for us for months beforehand. I think it is an honor when people ask you to be a part of their ceremony, but you shouldn't take offense to not being asked. Planning a wedding is so much work, and you never know what went into the decision to not ask (or to ask). As someone mentioned, they probably asked for the officiant because of convienence, in my case, I didn't ask my SIL's to be part of my party because then we wouldn't have had enough groomsmen and I wanted them to be equal. Don't take offense, be grateful you can go and have a good time without any obligations or schedules!
  • Offended?  I wouldnt be at all! In fact, I'd be HAPPIER that I wasnt asked!

    Not having to buy  a dress that I wouldnt wear again for a price I'd normally never pay would be the best part of it all! 

    I never understood why people are upset NOT to be asked

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