Alright, my lovelies, gather round, because have I got a juicy slice of wedding drama for you today. And let it be known, the tale I’m about to spill is as real as your craving for midnight snacks. This story comes straight from the heart, or should I say the heartache, of a real person who took to Reddit to seek judgment in the court of public opinion. So, buckle up, buttercups, because Roger’s about to give you his Hot Take on a situation that might just boil your blood or freeze your heart – depending on which side of the aisle you stand on.
Once upon a September, a bride-to-be, let’s call her Cinderella for narrative’s sake, was inches away from her dream wedding to her Prince Charming, Cal. After five years of lovey-dovey bliss, our couple was about to seal the deal in a modest yet perfectly executed 100-person matrimonial extravaganza. Every detail meticulously planned, every deposit painfully paid, it appeared that Cinderella had her fairy tale under control. That is until Daddy Warbucks decided to throw a wrench in the works.
Out of the blue, Daddy dearest, who’s seemingly skipped the chapters on modern dating timelines, revealed he has a new girlfriend and, wait for it, wants her front and center at Cinderella’s wedding. Oh, but not just anywhere, my darlings. He wants his new belle to occupy what can only be described as the highest seat of honor: ‘My mother’s seat.’ A chair, mind you, that was to be left empty to honor the memory of Cinderella’s late mother. Yes, you read that right. Talk about a plot twist no one saw coming.
Cinderella, in her gracious yet firm manner, declined. Daddy Warbucks, unused to opposition, persisted, leaving our Cinderella questioning if she had suddenly turned into the villain of her own story. A classic case of family drama meets wedding planning – a duo as timeless as peanut butter and jelly, but infinitely less sweet.
Now, before we all mount our high horses and charge into the battle of opinions, let’s take a beat. This scenario, ripe as it is for a Thanksgiving Day showdown, poses a real moral pickle. On one hand, we have Cinderella, trying to honor her late mother in a deeply personal and public manner. On the other, we have a father, perhaps clumsily, attempting to move forward while still celebrating his daughter’s big day. But, dear readers, the question that really begs to be answered is: When is it appropriate to introduce a new partner into family traditions, especially those as loaded as a wedding?
Here’s where I, Roger, with my ever so humble and not at all sassy opinion, come in. Let’s be real – weddings are stressful, emotional landmines at the best of times. And while we can applaud Daddy Warbucks for finding love in the later chapters of his life, the timing and delivery of his plus-one petition were about as tactful as a bull in a china shop. To make such a request, and then to double down in the face of a gentle but firm no, smacks of a certain… let’s say, insensitivity.
In the grand scheme of love, loss, and nuptial bliss, our dear Cinderella isn’t the villain for trying to keep a seat empty in her mother’s honor. She’s simply a daughter navigating the turbulent waters of grief and celebration. So, here’s Roger’s Hot Take: In matters of the heart and wedding charts, sensitivity, and respect are the true plus-ones we should all be inviting. As for Daddy Warbucks? Perhaps a lesson in timing and tact wouldn’t go amiss. After all, true love – and family harmony – is worth the wait.
Remember, my darlings, weddings come and go, but family is forever – warts, plus-ones, and all. Until next time, stay fabulous and always keep it spicy with a dash of sensitivity. Roger out.
Original story
I (29F) am set to marry my boyfriend (32M) Cal in September. We’ve been together a little over five years and engaged for about nine months now. One of the first things we decided on for our wedding was that it would be relatively small. We planned for (including ourselves and the bride/groom party) a total of 100 people. It was a bit difficult to shave down our guest list to fit that, but we managed, and we will also be streaming the ceremony so that those who cannot attend will still be able to witness our union.
A couple weeks ago, I thought Cal and I had everything figured out, deposits paid, dresses and tuxes picked out, decorations ordered etc etc. It may sound a bit early to have all my ducks in a row but I have always preferred being as prepared as possible as quickly as possible over last minute headaches. Anyway, I thought I had everything finalized or figured out, and then my dad (47M) called, asking if his girlfriend (45F) could come, because his invitation “didn’t allow for a plus one”. I didn’t even know my dad had a girlfriend. My mom passed late last year, and I had no idea my dad had even started dating again. I told him no, that there was no room, as the guest list had been finalized and explicitly stated there would be no allowance for additional guests or plus-ones.
Here’s where I might have been the asshole. Dad asked if his girlfriend could “use my mother’s seat”. And I got INCREDIBLY upset. “My mother’s seat” is an extra chair that will be decorated and left empty for my mother in her memory since she can’t be there on my special day. Pretty much everyone who is going to my wedding knows about this chair. I again, very firmly, told him no, and that his girlfriend is not invited, but she is welcome to watch the livestream. Dad told me I was being rude and ungrateful and that he’d call me back later, then hung up. He’s not always been the most agreeable person, but this was shocking to me.
He has continued to ask, I have continued to say no, and he isn’t slowing down. Am I being an asshole here?