AITAH for telling my fiancé I want a say in our wedding?

A disagreement over wedding planning quickly turned into a much deeper relationship crisis. When a newly engaged woman asked for a small say in her own wedding, the response she received raised serious concerns about control, respect, and emotional safety. What should have been a shared celebration instead became a standoff filled with ultimatums.

What makes the story more complicated is the poster’s history with an abusive marriage and her hope that this relationship would be different. As plans for the future unfolded, familiar patterns began to surface, forcing her to confront uncomfortable questions about whether love and control were being confused once again.

‘AITAH for telling my fiancé I want a say in our wedding?’

Wedding excitement quickly turned into conflict over control and decision-making.

I 27(f) and my 30(m) are set to be married next year in the spring, and he has been telling me we are going to be doing it “his way...

He said that since I was married before that I don’t get a say In our wedding because “you’ve already had one” however he seems to forget that my last...

and caused me a lot of issues that I will not disclose here but you get the idea. I had divorced my ex husband due to this issues, and met...

The conflict deepened as the fiancé demanded control over every detail.

But my now fiancee keeps telling me that I already got married so he is going to have a say in EVERYTHING. From my dress to the color of the...

While yes I know this is special for him and I am more then willing to let him have most of what he wants I at least want just a...

Like yes I’ve been married before, and yes I know he wants this to be his special day as well, but I feel like not having a say In at...

The argument escalated into an ultimatum and major life decision.

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I told him this and said he can have say over everything if he’d like as long as I get to pick my own dress since I will be the...

He told me that since I’ve already been married ITA because I’m not thinking about him or his ideas. But I do and I love most of his ideas I...

He stormed out of the house telling me if he doesn’t get to plan and pick everything we will not get married. What do I do?

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How do I go about out this in a way that makes a both happy? And AITA for saying I want a little bit of say even if I’ve been...

EDIT : I’ve read a lot of the comments and I agree with pretty much everyone. I already took my ring off and left it at the apartment we share.

I’m going to go to my mother’s house and speak with her about my next steps and I will be talking to him once he’s off of work. Context yes...

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Yes I’m aware I missed huge red flags when I thought he was very sweet and kind. When we first met he was the complete opposite of what my ex...

No we don’t have any children but I do have one from my ex, but my ex fiancé been kind and loving to my son and has never done anything...

No I’m not dumb or stupid yes I’m aware I missed some huge things I should have noticed in the beginning with his “off days”. I’m aware I should have...

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I’m more than aware now. I will talk to him when he’s off work and if I’m able to update I will. Thank you everyone for the feed back and...

This situation reflects a critical moment where wedding planning exposed deeper relational dynamics. While disagreements over details are common, the insistence on total control and the use of ultimatums suggest issues far beyond napkins and dresses. The poster’s request was minimal and reasonable, highlighting a desire for autonomy rather than dominance.

Opposing views might argue that both partners bring emotional baggage into second marriages and that fears or insecurities can manifest as control. However, refusing compromise and dismissing a partner’s feelings undermines the foundation of mutual respect. The fiancé’s repeated emphasis on her previous marriage reframes the wedding as a competition rather than a partnership.

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From a broader social perspective, this story underscores how control can escalate subtly, especially when one partner has a history of abuse. Recognizing these patterns before marriage can prevent long-term emotional harm. A wedding is often a preview of shared decision-making, and when collaboration is absent, it raises serious concerns about the future.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Many users voiced strong concern, warning that this behavior signals deeper problems.

Sickpsychotic − NTA but really think about if this is how you want to spend your life. "My way or the high way" will definitely not only be for the...

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swishcandot − This guy is *not* the love of your life. You traded abuse for abuse. He's holding it over you that you were married before.

This will not be the first time that happens. NTA. You need to fix your guy picker on therapy before you get in another relationship. I'm sure there were red...

ThisWeekInTheRegency − So. ..you've moved from one abusive relationship to another? That's what this looks like from the outside.

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The idea that you shouldn't have a say in your own wedding because you've been married before is merely an excuse for him to control everything. Take a look at...

If he's throwing a hissy fit and demanding a break up because you want to choose your own wedding dress, either he *wants* to break up and is making you...

At the very least, I'd slow down on the wedding date until this control issue is ironed out (no, actually, I'd just walk away).

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CalmAbrocoma8113 − NTA but I strongly suggest you take this behavior as the preview it is. First, it’ll be the wedding and dictating what dress you’ll wear which could easily...

Do you want your forever wedding photos to be taken in a dress you hate and didn’t even choose? Then, he’ll want to dictate where you live, where/how/when you work,

how many kids you’ll have and how they’ll be BORN, what their names will be, etc. ,. What kind of fiancée would make that kind of ultimatum of “my way...

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Sounds like he has control issues and that’s a gateway to abuse. He’ll be throwing the fact of your first marriage in your face repeatedly until it becomes clear that...

Do you want to be his wife or his subordinate? I strongly suggest rethinking marrying him altogether. A wedding is supposed to celebrate BOTH of you, not just him. As...

Weekly-Armadillo-647 − I see a lot of people harping on you that he's abusive, which you see now. I just want to show my support.

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What alot of people don't realize is abusers lay in wait. As the relationship gets more entangled and difficult to escape they get worse. My ex-husband wasn't a jerk until...

He flipped out at at me screaming and cursing me out, I assumed it was stress from the wedding and married him anyway. I made a lot of excuses until...

He was stressed from the wedding, stressed from school, stressed from buying a house, from having a baby. ..it didn't end. Don't feel bad for not noticing it sooner, feel...

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Some commenters offered firm but reflective perspectives.

Itchy_Juice_2528 − NTA. You don't get married to him. No, he can not have a say in your dress. And you absolutely should have a say about the cake, colors,...

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If he's unwilling to work as a team on this issue - what other issues will have to be his way or the highway.

Also, it's traditionally considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride's dress before the wedding. He's got some big feelings about your previous marriage and divorce.

You need to attend some pre-marital counselling sessions to figure out if you two are on the same page about what married life looks like.

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I'm thinking this guy is giving "I'm the man of the house and we do things my way" vibes

I_really_love_pugs − NTA. It sounds really patronising to say, so I am sorry for that as I do not wish to be unkind;

I work with people who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse and women who do so in one relationship are more likely to enter into a further abusive relationship...

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His behaviour is not acceptable and if this is the side of him he is showing you now, it is only going to get worse as time goes on.

I urge you to reconsider this relationship and seek support from domestic abuse organisations and counselling. I wish you all the best.

A couple of blunt comments cut through the tension.

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nibblesyble − You obviously haven't learned a thing from your last marriage. You've immediately jumped into another abusive situation.

He sounds like a massive AH and you will be one if you marry him. Typically I'd suggest therapy but I can't see how this will help. Best to get...

sour_bite_ − NTA. Take the highway.

Smooth-Original-6478 − It sounds like you found another abuser. Get out while you can

This story illustrates how a single disagreement can reveal much larger issues about power, respect, and partnership. What began as a conversation about a wedding dress became a turning point that forced difficult but necessary self-reflection.

Do you think wedding planning reflects how couples will handle future conflicts? Where should compromise end and personal autonomy begin in relationships, especially after past trauma?

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