AITA for not giving my cousin a plus one to my wedding because his girlfriend smells like eggs?

Picture a bustling wedding venue, fairy lights twinkling, and the scent of roses in the air—except for one jarring note: a guest who smells like a forgotten omelet. This is the dilemma a 26-year-old bride faced as she planned her big day, torn between family loyalty and personal comfort. Her cousin Mike, a close confidant, was set to attend, but his girlfriend Anna’s egg-like aroma posed a problem. The bride’s decision to exclude Anna sparked a fiery family clash, leaving her wondering if she’s the villain in this wedding saga.

The Reddit community didn’t hold back, roasting her for what they saw as a petty power move. Was she wrong to prioritize her dream day over her cousin’s feelings? This tale of wedding woes dives into the messy intersection of etiquette, family ties, and awkward personal quirks, inviting readers to weigh in on a drama as tangy as a sulfur spritz.

‘AITA for not giving my cousin a plus one to my wedding because his girlfriend smells like eggs?’

I (26f) am about to marry my partner (29m) next week. We both have big families, so it's going to be a big wedding. I have 3 siblings and more than a dozen cousins, and I wanted to invite them all. One of my cousins who's closest to me in age is Mike (27m).

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He also lives closer to me than some of the rest of the family, so I've had the chance to see him more than the others, including meeting his girlfriend, Anna (28f). She's nice, I guess, but she smells like eggs all the time. It makes her hard to be around, and that stress isn't something I want to deal with on my wedding.

When I brought up my concerns with my partner and told him that I didn't want her coming, he said it was my side of the family and I could do what I wanted with the invitations. So I did. She's not coming. I sent my cousin an invite. No plush one. Well, Mike just found out he's the only close family member not getting a plus one, and he was upset.

He asked if there was a mistakes, and despite not wanting to deal with his drama, I told him the truth. It wasn't a mistake. I just didn't want Anna coming. When he pressed me on the issue, I told him that she smelled, was hard to be around, and I didn't want her coming.

He yelled at me and called me some unpleasant things before saying if she wasn't coming then neither was he. I told him he had to come. It's my wedding and he has to be there. He ignored me, and then he blocked me. I understand why he might be upset, but he has to be able to see my side too. Am I really the AH for not wanting to add stress to my wedding?

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Weddings are a minefield of emotions, and this bride’s choice to exclude her cousin’s girlfriend over a personal quirk lit a fuse. Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychologist known for her work on interpersonal dynamics, notes, “Sensitivity to sensory input, like smells, can heighten stress, but excluding someone risks alienating relationships” . The bride’s discomfort with Anna’s odor is valid, yet her blunt delivery and singling out Mike as the only cousin without a plus-one turned a personal preference into a public slight.

This situation highlights a broader issue: navigating wedding guest lists while balancing personal comfort and social grace. According to a 2023 survey by The Knot, 68% of couples face guest list disputes, often tied to family expectations. The bride’s insistence that Mike “has to” attend reveals an entitled streak, ignoring his autonomy and bond with Anna. Her approach lacked tact, escalating a minor issue into a family fracture.

Dr. Aron’s insights suggest open communication could have softened the blow. Instead of banning Anna outright, the bride could have discussed her concerns privately with Mike, perhaps suggesting solutions like seating arrangements to minimize discomfort. This would have shown respect for his relationship while addressing her sensory concerns.

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For others in similar predicaments, experts recommend setting clear boundaries early. Websites like Brides.com suggest using neutral criteria for plus-ones (e.g., only engaged couples) to avoid personal targeting. A discreet conversation or a compromise, like inviting Anna with a gentle nudge about hygiene, might have preserved family harmony without compromising the bride’s vision.

Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

The Reddit hive mind didn’t mince words, and their takes are as spicy as a breakfast burrito. Here’s a roundup of the top comments that lit up the thread:

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IHaveSaidMyPiece − YTA I told him he had to come. It's my wedding and he has to be there. He ignored me, and then he blocked me.. That makes you TA, you don't get to demand that people come.

missangel21 − YTA. Your relationship with your cousin is pretty much done now because you couldn’t stomach the thought of being near her for a few minutes. You just had to say a quick “hello” before moving on to greet another guest. What you did was unkind and a total AH move.

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Rainbow62993 − YTA - 'I told him he has to come. It's my wedding and he has to be there.' What an absolute entitled, bratty little mindset you have. Absolutely NO ONE *has* to come to your wedding, family or not. You also wouldn't have been stuck around his girlfriend all day. If anything, y'all likely would've only been in passing maybe once or twice, if at all.

Of course he was upset that he realize he was the only person not allowed to bring a plus one. Then your reasoning was hurtful. Don't worry though, your cousin definitely won't be bringing a plus one because now he isn't showing up at all 🤷‍♀️

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Jemma_2 − YTA for giving everyone else a plus one except him for such a trivial reason.. You can’t expect him to come after this.

Plastic-Archer4245 − told him he had to come. It's my wedding and he has to be there. He ignored me, and then he blocked me.. For this reason YTA. Am I really the AH for not wanting to add stress to my wedding?. Well you really failed at that didn't you?

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Sassafrass0074 − YTA. She hasn’t been unkind or rude to you. You won’t be around either of them very long at your wedding. She may smell because of a condition you know nothing about. Or she may smell ONLY to YOU! Or if she does smell, that can be fixed.

You on the other hand were rude and just a really unkind person because that’s just your personality apparently. An ugly heart is a lot harder to fix. An invitation is not a summons but a request. He doesn’t have to be at your wedding.

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Also how would you feel if someone didn’t invite your fiancé to an event because he smelled or maybe his look would ruin their esthetic? Plus he most likely loves her more than you and plans to marry her. She is his priority, not you.

MysteriousWays10 − YTA. Yes you have a right to invite whoever you like to your wedding, but this is a bit harsh. Singling your cousin out as the only person not to get a plus one? How many times have you met the girl? Maybe she has a medical condition….Maybe she was trying out a new fake tan….maybe she just likes eggs…

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SpaTowner − You just *did* add stress to your wedding, and he’s under no compulsion to attend.. How much time would you realistically have had to spend close enough to her for it to matter anyway.. YTA

lmchatterbox − YTA. I hope he doesn’t come to your wedding. Your petty ass doesn’t deserve it.

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PaintLicker_2022 − YTA. Let me count the ways…. 1) She smells like eggs so she’s hard to be around?. 2) You singled him & her out specifically but then didn’t want to deal “his drama”.. 3) You felt entitled to his presence at your wedding. Be prepared for more people than just him to not show up to your wedding because that was a major AH move…

These Redditors brought the heat, but do their snap judgments hold up in the real world? One thing’s clear: the bride’s guest list gamble stirred up more drama than a reality TV reunion.

This wedding tale serves up a pungent reminder that family ties and personal comfort don’t always mix smoothly. The bride’s attempt to curate her perfect day left her cousin feeling snubbed and sparked a Reddit roast for the ages. Was she wrong to prioritize her nose over her cousin’s heart, or was she just protecting her dream wedding? Share your thoughts below—what would you do if a guest’s quirk threatened to steal the spotlight at your big event?

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