Wedding Etiquette Forum

Dad's sort-of-fiance wants her parents invited - who I DON'T know.

My dad and his "fiance" got "engaged" last year, but are waiting to marry for SIX years so she can get her ex's SS. However, she and my dad just bought a house together and their finances are now combined. My parents agreed to both contribute 5k to the wedding, which is technically 5k of my dad AND his fiance's money, and my mom and her husband's money. 

Last night, my dad's fiance FREAKED out when she realized that her parents won't be invited. I have met her parent's TWICE over the past 2 years and they're both drunks (literally, start drinking when they wake up - drunks). I barely know them. My dad's fiance has now thrown in our face that "half of the 5k is her money" and "if we're having the rehearsal dinner at their house, she demands her parent's are invited." We obviously have a small budget, if we go over a certain number of guests, we have to pay more for the venue and the caterer, and the space is also on the small side so if we added more to our guest list they'd have to separated. I'm also not willing to give up 2 seats for family members or close friends who we KNOW and have impacted our lives, for people we've barely met. 

Am I totally out of line? Should we decline their financial help to stay true to having this be OUR day? This is not the first time she's done something like this; she also is incredibly traditional and told us she believes *this* is the way we need to do things. She also freaked out when we spoke about inviting close cousins, saying "if you can invite your cousins, why aren't my parent's invited?!" We've agreed to put them on our B list, to be invited if there's room. But to be honest, there won't be room; we've given up inviting close family and friends to make room for people that absolutely need to be invited. 

 I'm so flabbergasted by this whole situation, I just don't know what to say. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
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Re: Dad's sort-of-fiance wants her parents invited - who I DON'T know.

  • I'd decline the help if you really don't want these people invited.

    I'm sorry you have to go through this.
  • auriannaaurianna member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    edited September 2013
    VTJackson said:
    My dad and his "fiance" got "engaged" last year, but are waiting to marry for SIX years so she can get her ex's SS. However, she and my dad just bought a house together and their finances are now combined. My parents agreed to both contribute 5k to the wedding, which is technically 5k of my dad AND his fiance's money, and my mom and her husband's money. 

    Last night, my dad's fiance FREAKED out when she realized that her parents won't be invited. I have met her parent's TWICE over the past 2 years and they're both drunks (literally, start drinking when they wake up - drunks). I barely know them. My dad's fiance has now thrown in our face that "half of the 5k is her money" and "if we're having the rehearsal dinner at their house, she demands her parent's are invited." We obviously have a small budget, if we go over a certain number of guests, we have to pay more for the venue and the caterer, and the space is also on the small side so if we added more to our guest list they'd have to separated. I'm also not willing to give up 2 seats for family members or close friends who we KNOW and have impacted our lives, for people we've barely met. 

    Am I totally out of line? Should we decline their financial help to stay true to having this be OUR day? This is not the first time she's done something like this; she also is incredibly traditional and told us she believes *this* is the way we need to do things. She also freaked out when we spoke about inviting close cousins, saying "if you can invite your cousins, why aren't my parent's invited?!" We've agreed to put them on our B list, to be invited if there's room. But to be honest, there won't be room; we've given up inviting close family and friends to make room for people that absolutely need to be invited. 

     I'm so flabbergasted by this whole situation, I just don't know what to say. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

    Firstly, B-listing is really, really rude. Take the B list and burn it. It's really rude to rank friends like that. If people found out they were B-listed (which some inevitably will) they would be way more hurt than they would be if they weren't invited at all. Believe me.


    I think you should invite your FSM's parents. Along with your father, your FSM is giving you FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS and you can't buy two extra dinners? That is a  huge, generous amount of money they are giving so they get some say in the guest list, and if they specifically told you they want her parents invited I think you should either agree or decline their financial help.

    I invited my step-mom's parents to my wedding and both of her brothers, despite having met them each only 2-3 times. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
  • 1) How would you feel if your father referred to your future husband as your "fiancé"?

    2)Don't do a B list.

    3)If this is a hill you want to die on then you need to decline your dad's $5,000 to save having to invite two people.

    It's ugly when money is attached to strings but sometimes it is.
  • Are you inviting your mom's husband's parents??  If yes, then you should probably invite your dad's fiance's parents too.  If not, you can use that as a reasonable excuse as to why you don't want to invite her parents either.

    In the end, if they are contributing money and this is their only request, then you can either accommodate them, or turn down their money.  IMO though, inviting two people, who you probably won't even see other than the brief 'thank you for coming' in exchange for FIVE THOUSAND dollars, is a pretty reasonable request...
  • That's the thing, if the parents are paying for the wedding they have a big say in the guest list. It's not unusual for the parents of bride to invite old friends that perhaps the happy couple haven't even met. Effectively they are throwing the party, hence the traditional wording on the invites.

  • LDubHawksFanLDubHawksFan member
    First Anniversary First Answer 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited September 2013
    First, you need to stop insinuating that she isn't actually his fiancé by using quotations. You may not like her but even if they are having a long engagement, if they intend to married, they are engaged. Don't be childish about that.
    Money comes with strings. Your father gave you $5k and they can then have a say in the guestlist. Suck it up and invite them.
    Don't b list. It's rude and not going to solve your problem.
    And if you are really worried about their drinking, warn your bartenders to use judgement in cutting off guests.

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  • It may help with the long term peace of the family to invite her parents. Even if they are drunk, it's going to be her responsibility to take care of them and keep them in check at the wedding, not yours. And it's her who will be the one truley embarrassed if they do anything out of line.

  • They're giving you $5k AND letting you have the rehearsal dinner at their house (presumably for free) and all she wants is her paprents to be invited?  Lurk on these boards for a while and see how good you have it - there are ladies on here whose parents are insisting on inviting HUNDREDS of guests that they don't want at their weddings.  This seems like a small price to pay.
  • Ditto PPs, stop using quotes.  I'm sure you would be hurt if someone referred to your FI as your "FI."

    B-listing is rude.  Don't do it.

    Just invite them.  Those who pay have a say.  It's only two people on your guest list.  Just invite them.  Or if you really don't want them there, decline the money.

    If you're worried about drinking, give the bar tenders a heads up.
    Don't worry guys, I have the Wedding Police AND the Whambulance on speed dial!
  • KatWAG said:

    You have 2 choices: decline the money from your dad/ his fi. Pay for the wedding yourself and dont invite them. OR, accept the money and invite the parents.

    Your Dad/ his fi are contributing to your wedding so they get a say in what happens and who gets inivted.

    Also, having a B list is super rude.

    I would also stop judging your Dad's relationship.

    OP:  Read what @KatWAG wrote ^.  Then - read it again, and let it sink in.  Make your decision from there...
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  • If you don't want to accommodate them, pay for your own wedding. It's simple.
    This exactly. You're overreacting. 
  • You can accept their money and invite the drunks.
    OR 
    You can decline their money and not invite the drunks.

    Either way, don't B-list - it's super rude. I kind of see what you're saying that's it's weird they'd plan a 6 year engagement just to take advantage of someone's federal benefits (a little fucked up if you ask the auditor in me), but she's his fiance sans quotes.
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  • VTJackson said:
    My dad and his "fiance" got "engaged" last year, but are waiting to marry for SIX years so she can get her ex's SS. However, she and my dad just bought a house together and their finances are now combined. My parents agreed to both contribute 5k to the wedding, which is technically 5k of my dad AND his fiance's money, and my mom and her husband's money. 

    Last night, my dad's fiance FREAKED out when she realized that her parents won't be invited. I have met her parent's TWICE over the past 2 years and they're both drunks (literally, start drinking when they wake up - drunks). I barely know them. My dad's fiance has now thrown in our face that "half of the 5k is her money" and "if we're having the rehearsal dinner at their house, she demands her parent's are invited." We obviously have a small budget, if we go over a certain number of guests, we have to pay more for the venue and the caterer, and the space is also on the small side so if we added more to our guest list they'd have to separated. I'm also not willing to give up 2 seats for family members or close friends who we KNOW and have impacted our lives, for people we've barely met. 

    Am I totally out of line? Should we decline their financial help to stay true to having this be OUR day? This is not the first time she's done something like this; she also is incredibly traditional and told us she believes *this* is the way we need to do things. She also freaked out when we spoke about inviting close cousins, saying "if you can invite your cousins, why aren't my parent's invited?!" We've agreed to put them on our B list, to be invited if there's room. But to be honest, there won't be room; we've given up inviting close family and friends to make room for people that absolutely need to be invited. 

     I'm so flabbergasted by this whole situation, I just don't know what to say. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
    1. Your father is engaged so please stop mocking their relationship and/or judging it because they plan on a 6 year engagement...that is NONE of your business.

    2.  They are contributing 5K towards your wedding...they should be allowed to invite her parents if they want to.

    3.  B lists are incredibly rude and completely against etiquette.
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  • You can accept their money and invite the drunks.
    OR 
    You can decline their money and not invite the drunks.

    Either way, don't B-list - it's super rude. I kind of see what you're saying that's it's weird they'd plan a 6 year engagement just to take advantage of someone's federal benefits (a little fucked up if you ask the auditor in me), but she's his fiance sans quotes.
    This ^
    It stinks to have to invite people you don't know/ don't like, but that's what happens when other people are financing besides you and your FI. 
    You prolly won't notice them that day - but if you do in a bad, disruptive, drunk-way have security escort them out.
    GL!
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

  • 1. Don't B-list.
    2. Don't judge your father's relationship.
    3. Don't say "fiance" in scare quotes. If you're not mature enough not to judge their relationship, you're not mature enough to get married. 
    4. He who pays gets a say. That means that if your dad and FSM are giving you $5,000 (which is a HUGE sum; my entire wedding costs less than that!), then you need to let them invite people, INCLUDING your FSM's parents, who are TWO people and whom you will BARELY notice.

    Anniversary

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    I'm gonna go with 'not my circus, not my monkeys.'
  • Think of it this way, if they're there, they will take up your dad's fiance's attention and you probably won't notice them anyway.

    It sounds like you don't respect this woman (which is fine, maybe she doesn't deserve respect), but I personally don't take money from people I don't respect.
  • My mother is not even remarried, but invited her live in boyfriend's parents to the wedding. They can't make it, but even though I do not know them, I didn't have a problem with it since she is paying for the majority of our wedding. Who am I to say she can't invite someone? She's buying their meals! Sorry you don't have a good relationship with your dad's fiance, but I agree with everyone that if you are accepting their money, inviting her parents is the right thing to do if thats what they want.
  • If you're going to accept the money (which is half hers) then yes they should be invited.  Two people will not make that big of a difference.  Be grateful that's all she is asking for.  My parents paid for a large hunk of my wedding.  There were people my mom wanted to invite that I could have skipped but I didn't say anything cause she graciously paid for so much of my wedding.  It seemed silly to argue over a handful of people.

  • If the OP could clarify (just because it's bothering me): How much exactly are your dad and his fiancee contributing? Some folks are saying $5k but from the post, I thought it was $2.5k (and the other half is from your mom and her husband).

    If you are inviting your mother's husband's parents, then I think it's a bit rude to not invite your father's fiancee's parents. It's fair.

    If you are not inviting your mother's husband's parents, or if you really want to die on the hill anyway, then decline the money from your father and his fiance. Simple enough.

    Finally:

    Do not B-list and do not be smugly judgmental of your father's relationship. He's engaged to be married, even if you disapprove.
    Anniversary
    now with ~* INCREASED SASSINESS *~
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  • @phira I think her mom and husband are contributing $5k and her Dad and his fiance together are contributing another $5k. I could be wrong though because I can see where it could be taken either way, hopefully OP can clarify.

    OP, either way, it's a sizable amount of money and even if it was the lesser amount, those who pay have a say. Please take PPs advice and either invite her parents if you plan to accept their financial help or decline their offer of money and work on the guest list with your mom and her husband. 
  • Look OP, I get that it seems ridiculous to you to invite people you barely know (and do not like) to your wedding. However, it is reasonable for your father's FI to want to have some say in the guest list because they as a couple are helping to fund it. This is the way money works - it sometimes comes with strings attached. It is up to you to either accept the money and the strings or to graciously turn down the money and not have to worry about the strings.

    Does it suck to have to invite these two people to your wedding when you would rather invite two other people? Yes, it does. I don't know when your wedding is, but it may be possible for you to find a bigger venue that will accommodate more people. Otherwise, you may just want to rearrange the tables in the space to make the best use out of the floor plan, so that you can hold more guests in the room.

    As for the fact that these two people are allegedly drunks - that's taken care of in two easy steps. Step 1: have a licensed bar tender (who will know when to cut them off). Step 2: If they become belligerent or inappropriate have someone escort them from the premises and put them in a cab (no drinking and driving).
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  • Either invite them (B listing is rude) or decline the money from your dad and his fiance (which she is, the fact that they are waiting a few years to get married doesn't make it less of an engagement).
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  • It's been said before, but it's good advice:

    1.  Stop judging your father's relationship.  It is none of your business how long they plan on being engaged OR why they chose a long engagement.  Her financial situation is also none of your business.
    2.  If you accept their money, invite her parents (your future step-grandparents).  Money always comes with strings.  Two additional people, which will be related to you by marriage, are not going to eat up your entire $5k from them.  
    3.  Stop judging her folks.  Since you "barely know them" I doubt you've spent enough time with them to determine their drinking habits.  If you're worried about them being drunks then hire a reputable bartender that knows when to cut people off and tell security not to be afraid to escort them out if they become belligerent.
    4.  B-Listing is super rude.  Don't rank your friends & family.  Either invite them or don't.
    5.  Don't use the phrases MY DAY or OUR DAY, they make brides sound like entitled brats.  It stops being all about the bride/couple when they invite guests.
    Formerly known as flutterbride2b
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  • OP I don't know if you have any intention of coming back to read the responses to your thread, but if I were in your shoes I'd probably just invite your father's FI's parents.  If you have a licensed bartender, he should be able to cut guests off that have had too much.  Also, I invited some of my ILs' work friends from 5+ years ago because I gave my IL's a say in the guest list.  I didn't notice they were there, I was too busy being a bride/newlywed.  Unless you're only inviting 20 people to your wedding, you will probably also not notice which guests came and which didn't.
  • Jen4948Jen4948 member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    edited September 2013
    Jen4948 said:
    I'd decline the help if you really don't want these people invited.

    I'm sorry you have to go through this.
    She's not going through anything. Her parents are giving her thousands of dollars and want to invite their parents. I can't believe this is even a thread.
    As I said to the OP, decline the help if you really don't want these people invited.  If she wants to accept the help, she needs to invite them.  If she doesn't want to invite them because of their drinking, then yes, she is "going through it."

    Get over yourself already and drop the fucking hostile 'tude you've been leaving all over the forum lately.
  • In addition to the "if they pay, they get a say" topic, think long-term. Inviting them shows respect for your father, which is a good thing even if he and/or his fiancée may not deserve it.  It will help preserve the family dynamic for the future.  Refusing to invite them could (and I'd even say that this is likely) damage your relationship with the fiancée AND your dad for the long haul.
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