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Attending my half sisters wedding.

Answered 5 years ago

My family has always had a tricky relationship with my half sister, she was withheld by her mum on and off as a child, I think there were quite a few issues. As adults I have tried to contact her a couple of times but got no response. She invited us to her wedding, and I thought she was extending an olive branch. A friend of a friend knows her well, and our mutual friend asked me if we were going to the wedding, the friend is concerned that we are only invited so she can humiliate my parents. I was shown a few screen shots of half sisters Facebook page and I think the friend is right. I was going to suggest to my parents we just go to the ceremony and send a card? What would you do?


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ANSWER
5 years ago
Food for thought- if you don't go then that will be the end of your relationship (and any chance at a future relationship) with your sister and your Dad with his daughter.

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REPLY
5 years ago
See, I’m of a different opinion. If she’s been rude up until now, there is absolutely no point to go, she will not change on the day or after. My sister was a real piece of work, and suddenly wanted me involved in a big part of her wedding, and my kid, and my hubby, out of the blue. I though it might mean a lot, but deep down I knew the truth that she just wanted to use me like always,. So I didn’t go. Best decision I ever made and I’m so proud of myself for backing myself and not following obligations of people pleasing and family expectations(especially from friends). My mum of course went and she treated her like dirt so I knew I was right all along, she didn’t even have a second to chat to me and expected the world of me.

ANSWER
5 years ago
Or just maybe the wedding is about the bride and groom. Just because someone is blood related doesn't give them priority over those that aren't. I don't think that your family should be expecting to be highly involved in the wedding, if you guys haven't be highly involved in her life (regardless of who's fault that is). If you are going to get your nose out of joint over a seating plan then don't go because your family isn't going to be able to handle her Step dad walking her down the aisle, making a speech and having the father/ daughter dance.

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REPLY
5 years ago
Oh, and this so called mutual friend taking screen shots and trying to cause trouble needs to grow up!

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5 years ago
Dad wasn't expecting to do all the dad stuff, but from what my friend has said she thinks it may be a bit cruel. The friend isn't one to make this stuff up. I spoke to mum before and she has been wondering if they should go, as dad has been put through enough. We have decided to just go to the ceremony wish her the best and not go to the reception.

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5 years ago
Weddings aren't an excuse to be a massive cunt either, I'm a bit sick of hearing atrocious behaviour excused just because there is a wedding involved. If they're not part of her life she shouldn't invite them at all, obviously the only reason for an invite is to rub it in Dads face like a 2 year old.

REPLY
5 years ago
Maybe to spiteful people that seems like the 'obvious' reason, but from the info that OP has given I don't see how the bride to being horrible and trying to humiliate anyone.

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5 years ago
Another comment from OP says the seating plan has them seated at the back of the reception and her Dads seat is labelled with his name while Step Dad is up the front with 'Dad' written on it. If that does not give a hint to what the day might be like then I don't really know what is.

ANSWER
5 years ago
Assume the best but prepare for the worst. If it is an olive branch, it would be a huge snub not to go. I would go with the intention of just being a general guest, not expecting to be seated at the family table, just there to support her if necessary and to enjoy the occasion with your parents. Withhold the present and card to drop off later in case you kick yourself for spending it on the day. If things go pear shaped you can always just leave knowing that a huge expense was paid to get you there and you haven’t wasted any $ on them yet. If it has been done with good intentions, it will be a great start to a better relationship. Good luck.

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REPLY
5 years ago
Thanks, it was the seating plan that I saw, we are right at the back but it's the wording on it. She put our dads first name and her step father as dad. Our dad isn't doing any of the typical dad things, I have a feeling we have been asked so she can make a point about dad not being involved.

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5 years ago
It sounds like it is just going to be a kick in the guts. I would suggest Dad ask to meet up with them beforehand to give a gift and have dinner, but decline the wedding. Make up an excuse like surgery or something.

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5 years ago
Thanks, the wedding is this weekend, so will just go to the ceremony and leave it at that.

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5 years ago
If it’s this weekend, you have probably already said you will be attending the reception. Your meal might already be paid for. We had one person not turn up to our wedding, and we still had to pay.

ANSWER
5 years ago
I invited my parents
My brother and his kids
My sister and her husband
That’s all the family I invited cause most of my aunts and uncles are idiots

ANSWER
5 years ago
Hahaha really? She's petty enough to make a whiney little bitch point on her wedding day? "This is one of the best days of my life, time to stick it to the man" 😂
Tell your parents what you know. Discuss with them your concerns and make a group decision to go or not. If you're worried about looking petty, just don't offer a reason for not attending. Or if you decide to only go to the service say "look, we know that this is an important day for you. We'll stay for the ceremony and you can enjoy the reception with your friends".
At my wedding my stepdad was very gracious in his approach to it. He made it explicitly clear that he was just another guest (despite him paying for the whole thing!) and that my father was to do all of the dad jobs, regardless of whether he was there for me most of the time growing up or not. It really made me love and respect him more. He raised me mostly. He was the one who took me for my first driving lesson, he was the one in tears at my high school formal, he was the one who put up with my bratty teenage years and awkward preteens. My own dad was often times too busy or too high to do that (I still absolutely adore my real father though).
I'll never forget the grace and diplomacy my stepdad employed at my wedding. My first son was actually partly named after him. Maybe your dad will take the same route and your sister will realise what a great man he is.

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REPLY
5 years ago
Thank you will do this.

ANSWER
5 years ago
My step mother only invited me and my siblings to our Dads 60th so she could rub it in our faces how much we don't exist to them. I knew it was going to be like that so I didn't go but my brother went and had to sit through a slideshow which showed photos of my Dads life and everyone in it except for the kids from his first marriage, a whole 15 years of his life cut from the slideshow. They had plenty of photos to use but didn't. My younger half siblings made speeches while my brother was not asked if he wanted to add anything. He was completely ignored the whole night by my step mum and Dad even though he had travelled interstate for it. Luckily my uncle and aunty stayed with him all night, they could see what was going on so they just sat there in the corner drinking all the alcohol making jokes about everything. He regretted going, he felt like it was only to somehow punish him and show him how little he meant while my Dads new family meant the world. If she is only inviting you all so your Dad has to sit there and watch someone else play father of the bride then it will not be an olive branch. If she hasn't made an effort to be friendly when you've tried before then I doubt she is going to change anytime soon.

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REPLY
5 years ago
I think this might be the same

ANSWER
5 years ago
This is tricky. My first thought is: It's a friend of a friend. How much can you trust this information? It just seems a bit strange to me that your sister would invite you to her wedding with the sole purpose of humilating your parents. Why waste the energy and risk looking petty on your wedding day?
On the other hand, people can do some strange things. You have seen the screenshots, I think that you need to go with your gut on this and talk to your parents. See what they think. The trouble is if go, your parents could be humilated, if you don't then it will be; they didn't care enough to come to my wedding/reception.

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REPLY
5 years ago
I trust my friend, I don't think humiliate is the right word, I should have said make a point a bit of an F you sort of thing.