Baffled Bride!

erinw13

So tonight I was at my parents' house, and while I was there my dad got a call from my brother who lives out of town. When my dad got off the phone with him he informed me that my brother wanted to know if his inlaws were invited (*sidenote- my bro lives with his inlaws so they thought maybe their invite was for them too). He said they were upset because they thought they weren't invited. Which they weren't because I never dreamed that 1) they would WANT to come and 2) that I needed to invite my brother's inlaws! I don't mind if they come, just a little shocked that they would assume they should be. So I had to call my bro and have a really awkward convo with him and fake and say "of course they are invited." Now I am worried that they are all sitting around saying "well if we were invited, why didn't we get an invite." Also I don't know how much of this is coming from them or my SIL (who tends to exaggerate and create drama). I am just so confused right now. Am I wrong? Should I have invited them?

AddieCake

Unless you consider them friends, I wouldn't have invited them, and I can't imagine why they or your brother or his wife should expect them to be. Do you even know them?

libby2483

No, you were not wrong. There is no reason to invite a sibling's inlaws unless you are close to them. However, I do think it is kind of awkward that you pretended they actually had been invited all along. I would have just explained that they were not invited. You know your family dynamic better than I do, though, so maybe this was best in your situation.

MuppetOverlord

Do you have a relationship with his inlaws? Do you hang out with them frequentl?

No, you don't have to invite them. I don't undertand why they are upset. You're not related to them, your brother is.

Weird. I'm with you on this one.

[Deleted User]

I invited my brother's in-laws, but at the request of my mother, who is contributing. We do all get along and enjoy each other's company, so I figured it was fine. But for most people, no, it's not the norm for one to invite one's sibling's in-laws.

erinw13

I do know them but not well and only because of her and the fact that we see them occasionally like a b-day parties for my niece and nephew. I only pretended like they were invited because that's what my dad told me to do to keep them from getting mad and creating more drama. Glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks this is crazy.

alizabee84

Agreed. I'm not sure why they are upset that they weren't invited. Just strange.

ciligirl

We did invite FI brother's inlaws but at our choosing.  FI's niece and nephew are in the WP and we thought they would like to come and see them.  We also see them occasionally and always enjoy their company.  They have even been to my home on holidays.  They are thrilled to be coming.  And so is FSIL, because she is going to have them take the kids home before the after party.

But again, this was our decision.  No one asked or even suggested it to us.  Sorry that happened to you. 

jennyd412

My sister asked me, "My in laws aren't invited, right?" They aren't her favorite people..