My partner and I have been together for 5 years and athrough we are not currently engaged we eventually plan on marrying.
We have one major issue that is bothering us. His parents divorced 15 years ago, His father left his mother due to infidelity on his part, leaving her with two small children. This caused her to have mental health issues which continue to this day.
My other half dotes on his father despite his apparent lack of affection. and his father remarried 5 years ago. His parents have not spoken from that point onwards as his fathers new wife is extremely possesive and jealous.
We geniunely do not want to upset my partners mother by putting her through the turmoil of attending the wedding with this pair present. but at the end of the day they still keep in touch occasionally so we feel he should be invited.
How can we deal with this potentially volatile situation when the occasion arrives.
Etiquette Now
WEDDING ETIQUETTE EXPERT
Mar 17, 2005, 1:16 PM
Post #2 of 3
(1409 views)
Re: [dizzybint78] Family issues. Divorced parents. nightmare!
[In reply to]
Dear Family issues,
This is very common these days. It hurts to say it, but it is true. Usually, we just keep these people apart. The father and his new wife sit in the third row, while the mother is treated like royality in the first row.
If there is a receiving line, she would be (if this is your first marriage) the first person with the father (fathers are optional in the receiving line) next to the Maid of Honor. Fathers often fade into the background during the receiving line anyway; they often just mingle.
Also, you don't need a receiving line if you are hosting your own wedding and only have a couple of attendant.
You could set up a separate table for his father and wife with some of his family members so he will be comfortable and away from the mother.
Your photographer can take separate pictures or will make sure that they are as far apart as possible. The new wife doesn't have to be in any of them.
When it gets closer to your wedding date, perhaps we can come up with more ideas to keep the day sane.
Re: [dizzybint78] Family issues. Divorced parents. nightmare!
[In reply to]
Hi The wedding is now less than a year away, can anyone give me any more tips and pointers.
We have decised to invite them.
They were invited to the engagement party but made their apologies and did not come. They have sinced expressed their regret and said they would like to come to the wedding. My partner is still upset that his own dad did not come to his engagement party.
Family issues. Divorced parents. nightmare!
