Brides love to be the center of attention on their wedding days, but sometimes, their joy is overshadowed by the unexpected actions of their mothers-in-law. These disruptions could be from attire choices that breach traditional wedding etiquette. Here are tales where mothers-in-law took center stage for all the wrong reasons.
For many brides, donning the perfect dress on their wedding day is a cherished dream, symbolizing the start of a new chapter in their lives. The bride in our story harbored such aspirations, unaware of the impending clash with her mother-in-law's designs.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: freepik.com/freepik
The saga unfolded on Reddit, where a father-in-law penned a candid account of the events that transpired between his wife, the bride, and the groom. He candidly expressed that his wife, despite being the love of his life, harbored a streak of unpleasantness that occasionally manifested in bullying behavior. Notably, she had an inexplicable disdain for her son's fiancée.
"Her son got married recently, and she hates the bride, no actual reason, just hates her," he revealed. His wife had hinted at wearing white to the wedding, but no one took her seriously including the bride.
A woman in a white dress | Source: freepik.com/freepik
The wedding day brought a shocking revelation. The mother-in-law arrived in a full-length white gown, blatantly breaking wedding etiquette to provoke the bride. Despite the husband's attempts to dissuade her, his warnings fell on deaf ears.
The bride was visibly distressed upon witnessing her mother-in-law's deliberate attempt to overshadow her. She was deeply hurt on a day that was meant to be her most joyous day. The groom, equally offended by his mother's actions, put together a plan to get back at her and capitalized on his mother's affection for children.
A woman talking on her phone | Source: freepik.com/freepik
In a well-orchestrated move, while one child engaged the woman in conversation, another smeared chocolate frosting on her seat. The ensuing stain on her white dress remained unnoticed for hours until her stepson pointed it out on his way out.
Upon discovering the prank, the woman blamed her husband, accusing him of betrayal for not alerting her to the stain. Caught between a wall of guilt and confusion, the man turned to Reddit, asking if he was to blame in the unfolding drama. The community's response was divided, with some criticizing his silence about the white dress, while others felt the woman's actions warranted the embarrassment she faced.
A woman in a white dress | Source: freepik.com/freepik
Amidst varied opinions, one user shared the sentiment: "Y T A for not alerting the bride and groom about her intentions, but NTA for letting her face the consequences of her actions. She sounds dreadful."
The Black Dress
In July 2022, a newlywed man took to Reddit seeking insights on a peculiar incident that occurred during his wedding. The incident involved his wife and mother.
An older woman standing beside a woman with a bouquet | Source: flickr.com/mkromer
The background set by the man highlighted the strained relationship between his wife and his mother, which affected their marriage. Despite his mother's negative stance toward their union and decisions, the couple extended an invitation to her because they valued her presence on their big day.
A woman applying lipstick | Source: flickr.com/madprime
The man acknowledged his habit of supporting his wife in their disputes with his mother. Yet, he admitted being bothered by his wife's tendency to scrutinize his mother's attire for hidden messages. He made an example of the rehearsal dinner, where his wife took issue with his mother's choice of a cutout dress and a glittery headband where she suggested the outfit was too attention-grabbing for the occasion.
Contrary to this, his wife showed no objection to a bridesmaid's more glamorous outfit, a detail the man found noteworthy. He chose not to escalate the matter, hoping not to deal with a similar situation on their wedding day.
A bride and groom standing with two couples | Source: flickr.com/wjarrettc
However, tensions arose when his wife disapproved of his mother's choice to wear a black lace cocktail dress to their wedding as she associated the color with funerals. This was another connection the man found bewildering. He described the dress as tasteful and not typical funeral attire but highlighted he was unfamiliar with any taboo surrounding black at weddings.
Faced with his wife's ultimatum to either have his mother change or leave, the man stood by his belief that the dress color was not intended to offend. This decision marked a rare occasion where he sided with his mother over his wife, which led to a fight because the wife had expected his unwavering support on their wedding day.
A bride and groom with an older couple | Source: flickr.com/mattymatt
To reconcile the situation, the man contemplated altering the color of his mother's dress in the wedding photos as a compromise. The gesture ultimately became unnecessary as his mother was absent from the family portraits. The husband turned to Reddit to seek validation for his actions as he questioned whether his loyalty to his mother over his wife was justified.
Mother-In-Law Makes The Bride Cry
A Reddit user shared a compelling tale of her best friend's wedding, where the bride's mother-in-law attempted to overshadow the event with her actions, culminating in an unforgettable final act of defiance.
Bride sitting on the floor crying | Source: Shutterstock
The bride had often confided in her friend about her uneasy relationship with her mother-in-law, who was not the biggest fan of the couple's six-year relationship. Despite being a reserved and kind-hearted individual, the bride faced numerous unsettling encounters with her future mother-in-law, each more troubling than the last.
One notable incident occurred during a Christmas dinner, where the bride, being vegetarian and Jewish, brought her own casserole to complement the sides she anticipated eating. However, to her dismay, every dish prepared by her mother-in-law contained meat, despite prior reminders of her dietary preferences. This led to an awkward situation where the bride was criticized for not partaking in the meal prepared by her mother-in-law.
A Christmas dinner laid out on a decorated table | Source: Shutterstock
The wedding planning introduced further challenges, particularly regarding the traditional Jewish Hoopa under which the bride wished to be married. Her mother-in-law objected to the Hoopa, saying that she wanted equal representation for her Catholic religion — despite the groom's family not being Catholic, which added more tension.
On the wedding eve, the bride expressed her apprehensions to her friend, fearing unforeseen complications. Her worries were not unfounded, as on the wedding day, the mother-in-law arrived late, wearing a bridal gown with a beaded sweetheart neckline and lace train. This led to the bride having an emotional breakdown.
A woman eating a salad at Christmas dinner | Source: Shutterstock
In a bold move to support her friend, the bride's confidante developed a plan involving a bottle of red wine. She pretended to be distracted by her phone and accidentally spilled the wine on the mother-in-law's dress, causing an uproar. The mother-in-law's outburst and subsequent breakdown led to her absence from the wedding photos, following a swift departure to change her attire.
A traditional Jewish Hoopa | Source: Shutterstock
The incident sparked various reactions from the wedding guests and later the online community. While some lauded the friend's protective gesture, others criticized the mother-in-law's behavior. The bride and her husband ultimately chose to cut ties with his mother, which gave them peace and happiness in their life together post-wedding.
The Failed Attempt to Ruin a Wedding
A man struggled with his mother's request to wear white to his wedding, causing conflict. Initially, the bride-to-be, Piya, agreed to the mother-in-law's request to wear white, not foreseeing any issues due to the distinct nature of their traditional Indian wedding attire.
A happy bride | Source: Shutterstock
She reasoned, "As long as the groom doesn't get confused and marry the wrong person, how does it matter?" However, her fiancé was irate, fearing his mother aimed to overshadow the event.
Seeking clarity, the bride-to-be turned to Reddit, where she received varied advice. One user suggested, "OP should talk to her fiance to get on the same page and maybe, going forward, tell MIL she has to 'run things by him.'" Another commented, "IMO, the only attention someone other than the bride wearing white to a wedding would get is ridicule. Or maybe concern for their mental health."
A couple arguing | Source: Shutterstock
The discussion led to a deeper conversation between the couple about the mother's history of attention-seeking behavior. The groom acknowledged his troubled relationship with his mother. He also shared his past experiences, highlighting how her narcissistic tendencies overshadowed his achievements and personal milestones.
With the support of his future in-laws, the groom found a sense of belonging and validation he hadn't experienced in his own family. Piya's mother actively participated in the wedding planning and played a significant role in this newfound feeling. Their shared tastes and ideas for the wedding brought them closer, creating a stronger bond.
A woman looking in the mirror. | Source: Shutterstock
The Reddit community's insights prompted the groom to confront his feelings and seek therapy, strengthening his relationship with Piya. Despite his mother's attempts to disrupt their wedding day, the couple's bond and the support from Piya's family ensured the ceremony remained focused on their love and commitment.
A wedding ring | Source: Pexels
The groom's mother's inappropriate attire and behavior were effectively managed, ensuring she didn't detract from the celebration. The groom concluded his story by expressing gratitude toward the Reddit community for their guidance, which helped him navigate through the challenges and focus on building a future with Piya.