Wedding Etiquette Forum

How do I politely say no?

One of my BM's recently broke up with her boyfriend of many years. She has already started seeing a new guy, but they aren't dating. For some reason, she said they aren't going to start dating until June. Makes no sense to me. My FI and I decided we aren't doing the whole plus one thing if they aren't in a serious relationship.. And I don't want to make any exceptions. However, my BM decided to ask this new guy if he wanted to come to the wedding and already booked a hotel room for the both of them.. Before she asked me anything about bringing a date. (The BM is temporarily living with my sister and that is how I know all of the information before the BM asked me anything.) Today she finally asked me if she could bring a date and I told her that we are only inviting people if they are in a serious/long term relationship. She text me back saying they have been talking for a couple weeks and will be dating for a month before the wedding, so it will be serious by then. And she kept texting me saying how she already booked a hotel room and she won't have anyone else to hang out with at the wedding. It sounds like she is trying to guilt me into letting him come. I told her I would talk to my FI and get back to her about it soon. I know I want to say no, but I'm not sure how to politely tell her that I don't want him to come.
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Re: How do I politely say no?

  • Since she's one of your bridesmais, I would probably let her invite a guest.  That's JMO.
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  • Honestly I would let her bring him. They will be in a relationship and she's your bridesmaid. Clearly she means a lot to you and is doing a lot for you. It'd be nice if you would let her bring her boyfriend as her date.
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  • I would let her bring him. You may not think it's serious, it could be and well, she's probably gone through expense, etc to be in your wedding so the least you can do is invite her boyfriend.

  • It's not worth getting into it with a bridesmaid if she's really close to you, which it sounds like she is if she's also living with your sister. 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:ebf3d1de-c30f-45d6-b2c9-7fea7dd215b8">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Since she's one of your bridesmais, I would probably let her invite a guest.  That's JMO.
    Posted by PsyDet 2155[/QUOTE]

    <div>This</div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:dc08c7cc-18a1-483d-b1a7-5ab6bf497fd0">How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]One of my BM's recently broke up with her boyfriend of many years. She has already started seeing a new guy, but they aren't dating. For some reason, she said they aren't going to start dating until June. Makes no sense to me. My FI and I decided we aren't doing the whole plus one thing if they aren't in a serious relationship.. And I don't want to make any exceptions. However, my BM decided to ask this new guy if he wanted to come to the wedding and already booked a hotel room for the both of them.. Before she asked me anything about bringing a date. (The BM is temporarily living with my sister and that is how I know all of the information before the BM asked me anything.) Today she finally asked me if she could bring a date and I told her that we are only inviting people if they are in a serious/long term relationship. She text me back saying they have been talking for a couple weeks and will be dating for a month before the wedding, so it will be serious by then. And she kept texting me saying how she already booked a hotel room and she won't have anyone else to hang out with at the wedding. It sounds like she is trying to guilt me into letting him come. I told her I would talk to my FI and get back to her about it soon. I know I want to say no, but I'm not sure how to politely tell her that I don't want him to come.
    Posted by Jamie074[/QUOTE]
    Let her bring him. It'll make her happy. Doesn't mean you have to give everyone a plus one and adding one more head shouldn't break your budget.
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    Whatever you hatters be hattin. -Tay Prince
  • I'd let her bring him. It really isn't anyone else's business to judge how serious or not serious someone's relationship is.
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  • I agree that "we're not dating until June" is kind of loony, and not a way I've ever approached a relationship, but she is still your bridesmaid and it would be nice to extend her a date no matter how loony the situation. If it makes you feel any better, you can put semantics aside and realize that they are dating now, so by the time July rolls around they'll be 4 months in or so.
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  • How old is she that she has set a date for when they will start dating?  They are hanging out, they are making plans for the future together, they are dating.  Ditto others, make an exception since she is a BM, and I'm guessing a very near and dear friend.  
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:ff7f82e8-3229-46cb-a079-f1c170a41c6a">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]How old is she that she has set a date for when they will start dating?  They are hanging out, they are making plans for the future together, they are dating.  Ditto others, make an exception since she is a BM, and I'm guessing a very near and dear friend.  
    Posted by dnbeach12[/QUOTE]

    Well see, she's waiting for him to give her a note to ask her if they are dating so she can check yes or no.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:4f0dccf7-363b-46c2-a3e1-d0d55bf06a12">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do I politely say no? : Well see, she's waiting for him to give her a note to ask her if they are dating so she can check yes or no.
    Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

    <div>Man your only options are yes and no nowadays?  Back in my day we had the "maybe" option.  And we had no checkboxes, we had to circle.  </div>
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  • I imagine she just wants more time before declaring herself in a serious relationship again, I get that. 

    That said, she's in your bridal party, it's pretty much accepted that they get a plus one even when others don't.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:c40b46cf-7c3b-4608-bac7-300879c1f429">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I imagine she just wants more time before declaring herself in a serious relationship again, I get that.  That said, she's in your bridal party, it's pretty much accepted that they get a plus one even when others don't.
    Posted by Ghoti[/QUOTE]

    <div>I totally get taking things slow, but to say "we will start dating in June" just sounds ridiculous.  </div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:5b412420-beec-4b04-8433-904a2a7976f5">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do I politely say no? : I totally get taking things slow, but to say "we will start dating in June" just sounds ridiculous.  
    Posted by dnbeach12[/QUOTE]

    Yeah, I'm reacting to the same thing. It's like being pre-engaged.
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  • I am going to go against most of the advice here - I assume your BM will be sitting at the head table and not with her new "non-boyfriend" so I would just explain to her that he probably would be bored/lonely because you won't be sitting with him and would be with the bridal party until well into the reception.  And this whole "we'll be dating for a whole month before the wedding so we'll be serious by then" is such a load of crap - this is most likely a rebound relationship that if it isn't already over by the time your wedding arrives, it will probably be soon after.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:a0b9afd2-53b1-40b0-8d3a-4d693e57f53f">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I am going to go against most of the advice here - I assume your BM will be sitting at the head table and not with her new "non-boyfriend" so I would just explain to her that he probably would be bored/lonely because you won't be sitting with him and would be with the bridal party until well into the reception.  And this whole "we'll be dating for a whole month before the wedding so we'll be serious by then" is such a load of crap - t<strong>his is most likely a rebound relationship</strong> that if it isn't already over by the time your wedding arrives, it will probably be soon after.
    Posted by graimondo[/QUOTE]
    Maybe this is the reason for the "we'll be considered dating in June" rational? <div>I guess maybe because I've been a serial monogamist I completely can relate to the "if we make it until June, then that's when I will consider us dating" thing. Hearing stuff like "oh he's just a rebound" really sucks. If you're not technically in a relationship, then people have no room to talk.</div>
  • She's a BM in your wedding so i assume she's a good friend.

    Cut some slack here, you don't know everything about her life
  • Ok- can I be really honest here...You said your friend has just broken up with her partner of several years, and she's with this 'new' guy that she's waiting to announce for a while that she's dating. Supposedly they're 'just talking' but they've made a commitment to attend your wedding together several months away. You don't see why she should be allowed to bring her 'new' guy.

    Here's the thing...This new guy isn't new. She's likely been seeing him for a while before the public ending of her previous relationship. It is serious, and she wants to publicly introduce her relationship after a suitable waiting period...i.e. july. They're a social unit, she's letting you know it 'will be serious.'

    Don't make a big fuss. It's not worth damaging your friendship. Bite your tongue and let her bring her boyfriend. 
  • I didn't read all of the responses, but it sounds like since she has to *explain* that they aren't "dating," whatever that means, but apparently it looks like they are (sharing a hotel room?), then for practical purposes it seems like you could treat them as being "official" without worrying about it, and let her bring him.
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    [QUOTE]Ok- can I be really honest here...You said your friend has just broken up with her partner of several years, and she's with this 'new' guy that she's waiting to announce for a while that she's dating. Supposedly they're 'just talking' but they've made a commitment to attend your wedding together several months away. You don't see why she should be allowed to bring her 'new' guy. Here's the thing...<strong>This new guy isn't new. She's likely been seeing him for a while before the public ending of her previous relationship. </strong>It is serious, and she wants to publicly introduce her relationship after a suitable waiting period...i.e. july. They're a social unit, she's letting you know it 'will be serious.' Don't make a big fuss. It's not worth damaging your friendship. Bite your tongue and let her bring her boyfriend. 
    Posted by Sarahkayfa[/QUOTE]

    Did you really just accuse OP's friend of cheating on her ex based on absolutely nothing at all? Wow.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_politely-say?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db9402d-f850-41a8-bfd4-554d16d8e513Post:9b62aaf9-d326-41ea-afcb-49947b719d36">Re: How do I politely say no?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: How do I politely say no? : Did you really just accuse OP's friend of cheating on her ex based on absolutely nothing at all? Wow.
    Posted by emilyinchile[/QUOTE]

    That's exactly what I was thinking Em. Amazing the conclusions people can jump to.

    OP you already planned for the old boyfriend to attend, so there's room in your budget. I think it's a diick move to not let her bring this guy because YOU judge their relationship not "serious enough." Who the hell are you to decide that?
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  • 1) The polite thing is to invite all of your WP with a +1 even if they aren't in a relationship.  They are doing a lot for you, so it's nice to let them bring a date.

    2) regardless of the length of their relationship, it is not your place to judge how serious they are.  If he is her BF (which, even if it's not official yet, they are dating now) then you have to invite her with him, regardless if she's WP or not.
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  • WP = automatic +1

    She is buying a dress, shoes and attending pre-parties for you.  Cut her some slack and let her invite him.  You aren't adding to the budget if you had budgeted for her ex-boyfriend.
  • I definitely think I'm going to let it slide and let her bring him. It is just a super akward situation. Her ex is in Afghanastan and she broke up with him and all of the sudden she is with this new guy. However, she says they can't be seen in public until they are officially dating in June. Her ex comes home for a two week leave in June. So I'm not sure if that is what she is waiting on or what.
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  • Am I the only one who thinks he's married?
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