AITA for being upset with my parents for paying for my brothers wedding?

Why do parental promises about weddings shift so dramatically between siblings? One woman confronts her mother’s refusal to fund any celebration due to age, only to learn the same parents eagerly cover half a lavish event for her twin brother.

Fairness in family contributions often stirs deep hurt, especially when expectations clash with reality. This double standard leaves the original poster questioning consistency and her place in parental priorities.

‘AITA for being upset with my parents for paying for my brothers wedding?’

The initial conversation sets unexpected boundaries.

I (F 36) have been dating my boyfriend (40) for about a year and a half. A few months ago my mother asked me on a phone call if “we...

She immediately responded, “that’s great!” Followed with “don’t expect your father and I to pay for anything for the wedding!” Bc she said “we’re too old.” (This will be important...

Preferences and past experiences surface.

To this I responded that he and I don’t really want a wedding and we’re not sure what we’ll do after engagement and when it comes time to plan. Her...

For context: I eloped with my first husband and she was embarrassed and devastated (her words). We ended the phone call by me saying she can’t have expectations if she’s...

Financial realities add pressure.

My boyfriend and I don’t make a ton of money and probably cannot afford even a small ceremony and wedding dinner for even ten people if we’re being honest. We’re...

A revelation exposes inconsistency.

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Anyways, fast forward a few months and my TWIN (so same age) brother gets engaged. We’re all very excited for him. Last night my mother and I were discussing his...

She lets it slip on our phone call that they’re planning a large wedding and my parents are footing half the bill, splitting it with the brides parents. I reminded...

For clarity: my issue is that she’s (my mother) is insisting on a nice wedding of some kind. Insisting with no financial backing. The salt in the wound was to...

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and won’t admit this is not about “age” as she’d previously said with no explanation just further demands that if I do get married there will be a wedding paid...

The friction builds from a mother’s explicit denial of wedding support citing age, paired with demands for a proper event, then contradicted by generous funding for the twin brother’s nuptials. The daughter feels invalidated and favored against. Hypocrisy undermines trust as rules apply unevenly without explanation.

The mother clings to traditional visions, perhaps resenting the prior elopement as a lost milestone. The daughter seeks equity and autonomy, wounded by perceived favoritism. Defensiveness halts open discussion, entrenching positions.

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Family therapist Dr. Harriet Lerner asserts in The Dance of Anger that “Clear boundaries and calm confrontation prevent resentment from festering in parent-adult child dynamics” (Lerner, 1985). Addressing inconsistencies directly fosters fairness.

Schedule a neutral video call with both parents to express hurt factually. Prepare affordable plans like courthouse vows plus potluck. Decline unattainable expectations gracefully. Seek sibling input on patterns for perspective.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Social media sympathized heavily with the original poster over parental inconsistency, labeling the mother evasive while probing past wedding details. Responses encouraged independence and petty comebacks.

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Overwhelming support declared no asshole on the daughter’s side.

ChallengeFlat7795 − Wow! NTA! Your mother is deflecting, knowing she overtly favors your brother and people might find out. Has she always favored your brother? And what's your fathers' stance...

LavishLunaLure − Not gonna lie, that's a rollercoaster. NTA. Your mom's got some double standards going on. You're not a jealous brat for expecting some consistency.

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Weddings are expensive and you were clear about your situation. Wondering if she's got a different set of rules for your brother. Ever gonna sit her down and clear the...

vain11_11 − NTA I would elope a second time.

Firm-Molasses-4913 − NTA for being upset at all these mixed messages. Apparently she really likes a big traditional wedding because she’s contributing to one and trying to convince you to...

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Perhaps she feels the twin’s wedding was a sure thing but you have shown you will please yourself. I know people who want to marry but don’t want the expense...

At this point and at your age I suggest if you do get engaged to have a small wedding and a small dinner to celebrate. A civil ceremony works well...

Your mother is not going to contribute so please yourself, truly, and enjoy whatever celebration you decide.

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[Reddit User] − NTA. Just when she is old and has no money tell her to go live with your brother because you spent your savings on your wedding.

GeneralButterfly8557 − Nta! That would hurt my feelings as well. So now if you do get married just have an intimate wedding with you two and whoever your close with...

BS_Detector2023 − NTA. Wouldn't be surprise if your parents or your mother specifically holding a grudge toward you for eloping the first time and that's why they aren't willing to...

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[Reddit User] − Nta. Your mom got called on her BS and got defensive. You deserve to know why your mom is willing to throw down big money on a...

Several questioned if the elopement or second marriage influenced decisions.

Bulky_Mix3560 − Info: in your first wedding - did your parent offer to pay? Was anything planned before you eloped? Is there anything left out here that would might be...

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AmusedPencil274 − INFO: Did your parents contribute financially to your first wedding? Is this your brothers first wedding?

Catlady0329 − I have a one wedding rule for my children. I will help pay for the first and that is it. Your second, third whatever you are on your...

FarPhilosophy5779 − if you hadn’t gotten eloped the first time would they have paid for your wedding?

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issy_haatin − INFO: I mean. .. Is this your brothers first marriage? That kind of puts things in perspective. Why would they spend money on wedding nr 2, when 3...

smallblueangel − Info: is the reason she isn’t paying that its your second wedding? Therefore not as special in their eyes?

One offered context clarification.

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yayydunno − to answer your question of would they have paid for the elopement if I had chose a wedding over elopement: my mom claims this is ALL about age

The ordeal highlights how unspoken grudges and shifting excuses erode sibling equity. It empowers couples to craft celebrations suiting their means, free from external mandates. Honesty about limitations strengthens bonds.

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Do parents owe equal wedding support to all children? How would you celebrate marriage on a tight budget?

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