Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

“AITA For Canceling Our Wedding After Our Rehearsal Dinner Was Ruined By Her Mom And Family?”
“AITA For Canceling Our Wedding After Our Rehearsal Dinner Was Ruined By Her Mom And Family?”

“AITA For Canceling Our Wedding After Our Rehearsal Dinner Was Ruined By Her Mom And Family?”

38

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes, unpleasant events can be ominous indicators of things to come. And if you use your best judgment, you may end up dodging a bullet

A man was about to marry into a chaotic family who showed him little respect. Things came to a head when his in-laws ruined the rehearsal dinner through their drunken behavior. 

He hesitantly decided to break the engagement off and end the relationship altogether. However, his now-ex-fiancée began manipulating him. You will find the entire text of this lengthy story below. 

RELATED:

    A man was about to marry into a chaotic family

    Man with partner and dog, sitting on floor, expressing emotions about in-laws and wedding cancellation.

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    Trouble began when his in-laws began acting entitled with the wedding arrangements

    Text post discussing a man canceling wedding due to in-laws' behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Text describing a couple's decision to have a smaller wedding due to financial constraints.

    Text about wedding planning and financial responsibilities before a canceled wedding due to in-laws’ behavior.

    Text from a man discussing in-laws' influence on his wedding planning and budget issues.

    Man hugging a woman with eyes closed, feeling empty and emotional after canceling a wedding.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: Roberta Sant’Anna / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    His future brother-in-law also became a headache to handle

    Text conversation about a man dealing with emotional challenges after his breakup and infidelity.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Text about lack of trust and responsibility issues in paternal role after wedding cancellation.

    Text screenshot about a man criticizing in-laws' behavior at a rehearsal dinner, linked to wedding cancellation.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Text describing wedding cancellation over in-laws' behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    Man and woman discussing wedding issues, holding a notebook, with a tense expression in a home setting.

    Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Things started to go downhill during the rehearsal dinner

    Text about a man canceling his wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior and feeling misunderstood.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Text discussing man's cancelled wedding due to in-laws' behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    Text describes a rehearsal dinner where the man's in-laws keep arriving unexpectedly, causing tension.

    Man at rehearsal dinner table, embracing woman, surrounded by guests, with festive decor.

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    His fiancée’s relatives got belligerently drunk and ruined the entire night

    Text recounting a man canceling wedding due to in-laws’ drunken behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    Family's drunken behavior disrupts rehearsal dinner.

    Text about a man dealing with in-laws' drunken behavior, mentioning taking kids home and packing up belongings.

    Text discussing a canceled wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior at a rehearsal dinner.

    Man feeling empty, canceling wedding due to in-laws’ drunken behavior, sitting alone at a table with coffee.

    Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    He decided to break up, only to be manipulated and made to feel at fault

    Text about a man feeling empty and alone after canceling his wedding due to in-laws’ drunken behavior.

    Text discussing wedding cancellation due to in-laws’ behavior.

    Text about a man ending his relationship due to in-laws' drunken behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    Text about a man feeling guilty over family conflict due to in-laws' behavior at wedding rehearsal.

    Image credits: Ok-Entrance37

    Image credits: Vera Arsic / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    People ignore relationship red flags for deep-seated reasons

    The author let things slide after his then-fiancée sided with her brother despite his unhinged behavior. That was a glaring red flag he ignored. Experts say people have deep-seated reasons for overlooking these writings on the wall. 

    According to Michigan-based counselor Angela Avery, LPC, NCC, the fear of unraveling the “true, painful story” is one of the biggest. As she explained in an article for GoodTherapy, people may choose to live out their miserable status quo rather than make drastic changes once they learn the harsh truth. 

    It then leads to questioning intuitions, and oftentimes, people would choose to deny that anything is wrong rather than experience the pain of conflict. 

    “Challenging our intuition is a dangerous game because it blocks us from knowing primal truths,” Avery wrote. 

    Some may also hold onto a chaotic relationship because they believe there is something worth fixing and fighting for. The author admitted that he still loved his then-partner, and she was willing to make things work. 

    Psychology professor Dr. Lawrence Josephs explained this mindset: “Dating partners are diamonds in the rough, and if you polish them enough, they will brightly shine to your liking.” 

    Image credits: Timur Weber / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    There is a mindful way of looking at relationship red flags

    Relationships aren’t perfect, and the people you choose to pair up with are flawed. As Dr. Josephs points out, red flags indicate character flaws you will learn to accept and live with. 

    “The real question is whether you can still love this person despite their character flaws, (or) if their character flaws prove beyond fixing,” he stated. 

    Dr. Josephs adds that it is about looking at red flags mindfully. Simply put, it’s viewing what’s in front of you with compassion and zero judgment. Determining whether the flaws are bearable or unfixable will make you decide whether to move forward or move on. 

    In the author’s case, he made a sound judgment call by breaking off the relationship. The woman showing little support to him and siding with her family was the last straw, and he made the right call by choosing practicality and his sanity. 

    The author responded to some comments to clarify some parts of his story

    Comments discussing canceled wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior.

    Reddit comments discussing financial support and employment with in-laws.

    Most readers believed he dodged a bullet

    Text conversation discussing a canceled wedding due to in-laws' behavior.

    Reddit comment discussing working class and job status regarding canceled wedding over in-laws' behavior.

    Reddit comment with advice about avoiding toxic in-laws at a rehearsal dinner.

    Comment discussing wedding cancellation due to in-laws' behavior and lack of partner support.

    Comment on wedding cancellation due to in-laws' drunken behavior, expressing relief and support.

    Reddit comment discussing wedding cancellation due to in-laws' behavior.

    Text comment on a forum supporting a man for canceling his wedding due to in-laws' behavior.

    Reddit comment discussing working class definitions and criticism of in-laws' behavior at wedding events.

    Comment discussing a canceled wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior at rehearsal dinner.

    Comment criticizing in-laws' behavior and their financial contributions during wedding planning.

    Comment supports man's decision to cancel wedding due to in-laws' behavior at rehearsal.

    Comment discussing red flags and relationship issues leading to wedding cancellation.

    Text commenting on a canceled wedding due to in-laws’ behavior at the rehearsal dinner.

    Comment discussing a man canceling his wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior at the rehearsal dinner.

    Comment criticizing in-laws' drunken behavior influencing wedding cancellation.

    Reddit comment criticizing in-laws' behavior at wedding rehearsal dinner.

    However, there were a few who found some faults in him 

    Text comment about a man canceling his wedding due to in-laws' drunken behavior.

    Reddit comment about a man canceling his wedding due to in-laws' conduct at the rehearsal dinner.

    Comment criticizing a man for canceling his wedding due to in-laws' behavior, suggesting immaturity.

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Read less »
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    What do you think ?
    Secret Squirrel
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get it, OP wants marriage to be us against the world, and not only has fiancée shown by supporting her brother that fidelity isn't that important to her, she didn't stand up for him when he was called simple/too dumb to understand. OP doesn't think she has his back and the rehearsal dinner confirmed it for him. Better to call things off than marry when you don't trust your fiancée, no matter when you figure it out. But don't blame her family, if things were fine in the relationship it would be burdensome but manageable.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. She is always going to take her familys side no matter what the situation is. It sounds like they really showed their true colors at the rehearsal while getting drunk. Like this guy I feel bad for the kids seeing that c**p show,. I also feel bad for him because it sounds like they were doomed for failure. I wonder if she has any idea that he paid off the lease so that she and her kids didn't get kicked out. I wish him good luck in the future.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If she cant have your back against her family then you definitly dodged a bullet

    Load More Comments
    Secret Squirrel
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I get it, OP wants marriage to be us against the world, and not only has fiancée shown by supporting her brother that fidelity isn't that important to her, she didn't stand up for him when he was called simple/too dumb to understand. OP doesn't think she has his back and the rehearsal dinner confirmed it for him. Better to call things off than marry when you don't trust your fiancée, no matter when you figure it out. But don't blame her family, if things were fine in the relationship it would be burdensome but manageable.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NTA. She is always going to take her familys side no matter what the situation is. It sounds like they really showed their true colors at the rehearsal while getting drunk. Like this guy I feel bad for the kids seeing that c**p show,. I also feel bad for him because it sounds like they were doomed for failure. I wonder if she has any idea that he paid off the lease so that she and her kids didn't get kicked out. I wish him good luck in the future.

    Tonyah Mcanelly
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If she cant have your back against her family then you definitly dodged a bullet

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT