AITA For Not Paying For My Daughter’s Wedding When I Said I Would Before?

How far should a promise stretch when family ties break over personal choices? A father who once vowed to fund his daughters’ weddings now refuses after they rejected his quick marriage to a much younger woman.

People often expect lifelong commitments to hold firm regardless of changes. In this case, hurt feelings piled up fast. The daughters felt sidelined by a texted announcement. The father saw their absence as betrayal.

‘AITA For Not Paying For My Daughter’s Wedding When I Said I Would Before?’

The father starts with his long-standing promise.

I (56M) used to say to my daughters (30F and 32F) that I would pay for their wedding when the time came. A few things happened that made me change...

First off I finally started dating my now wife Clare (34F) and we decided to get married after 8 months together in 2022. This might seem soon but we've known...

Both my daughters disapproved of my marriage and refused to come to my wedding because they had not met her (this was their choice because they disapproved of the age...

and because I texted them that I was getting married 6 weeks before the date (they said they should've been the first to know). I thought not showing up was...

Additional grievances build the tension.

Second of all my daughter's fiancee never asked for my blessing or anything like that and I was told that my wife is not invited at the wedding so that...

Both my daughters have been annoyed at me for marrying Clare, for not spending enough time with them at Christmas (they are in their thirties they are not children!)

and for not seeing them on weekends but still they expect me to pay for their wedding? I am not planning on giving them anything. Clare is on my side...

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The dispute centers on broken trust and shifting priorities. The father made a verbal commitment years ago but withdrew it after perceived slights. His daughters reacted to a rushed marriage and late notice. Resentment grew from feeling replaced rather than included.

The father seeks respect through traditions like seeking blessing. His daughters prioritize emotional involvement over formalities. Each side views the other’s actions as dismissal. The age gap and quick timeline amplified insecurities about loyalty.

Psychologist Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy, states that “Secure bonds require responsive attunement to emotional signals, not just words” (Hold Me Tight, 2008). Here, a simple text ignored those signals. Rebuilding starts with acknowledging pain without defensiveness.

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Schedule face-to-face talks focused on feelings, not blame. Honor the original promise if finances allow, framing it as love, not obligation. Apologize for the announcement method. Invite gradual introductions to the new spouse. Consistent small gestures restore connection over time.

Here’s The Feedback From The Reddit Community:

Social media exploded with strong judgments on this wedding funding fight. Users dissected the age gap, communication failures, and promise-keeping. The thread became a battleground for family duty versus personal autonomy.

Nearly everyone condemned the father’s actions. They called out hypocrisy and pettiness.

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Baileythenerd − I'm half hesitant to say YTA because I'm a firm believer that "It's your money, you choose how to spend it". But with that said, you're such a...

I know "you do you", but you are marrying a woman the same age as both your daughters, you expect that to just be "cool" with them? You've given them...

Welcome to the 21st century my dude. You distanced yourself from them. Why would the fiance feel the need to get the blessing of a dad actively distancing himself from...

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"for not spending enough time with them at Christmas (they are in their thirties they are not children" Bro, they are your daughters. Regardless of anything, they want you to...

They love you, they want to be around you (god knows why, after reading this), and you're upset by this? ?? 4. And I cannot stress this enough BE A...

Unless you have a genuine gripe that isn't "I'm mad my kids don't like me marrying my arm candy that I paid handsomely for", you should consider that your WORD...

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lunarpixiess − YTA. You married someone just two years older than your oldest daughter, which is creepy. And them not being notified until 6 weeks before the wedding is fair...

And, what, you want your daughter’s fiancé to ask for her hand in marriage? Is she your property? I’d be pretty upset with you if you were my father too.

BeachPlze − So just to be clear, 1.) you have the money to pay for their weddings, 2.) that money has been earmarked for their weddings, 3.) you are opting...

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a marriage they learned about via text from their father who hasn’t cared to make any time to spend with his daughters who are the same age as his wife....

sableonblonde − YTA, and i’m rolling laughing that you can’t see that. Your daughters weren’t comfortable with your new child bride, so you cut them off completely? Shameful.

jkshfjlsksha − YTA. You married someone barely older than your kids, we’re only together for a few months, and texted them to tell them you were getting married. And you’re...

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And you’re mad that your blessing wasn’t asked by the fiancé when you literally texted your daughter to tell her you were getting married? What a h__ocrite. Yeah, you’re the...

PreferenceHungry8181 − YTA. You are basically punishing your children for their feelings. All of your reasons are very selfish. Newsflash, they don't have to like your wife. They don't have...

And you showed them exactly how important they are to you by waiting until 6 weeks before your wedding to even tell them about it, and then to tell them...

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Also, you daughters are in their 30's. Their fiancés don't have to ask for your blessing. They are grown ass women. It sounds like you met Clare and decided to...

Hot-Plum-874 − YTA, and of course Clare is on your side. Less money for your kids = more money for her

Some pressed for missing details. They suspected hidden history.

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3Dog_Nitz − INFO: Did you ask Clare's father for her hand in marriage?

[Reddit User] − You texted them you were getting married? You couldn’t do it in person?

[Reddit User] − Question; how long ago did you get divorced? How did you meet this woman when “ you’ve know each other for a long time” & “my daughters...

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This sounds like you married your affair partner and your daughters don’t approve/are hurt? Smells very much like YTA

rejectrash − YTA, you broke your promise. Also, you're obviously omitting something. You said you've known Clare for a long time before dating, exactly how long?

alien_overlord_1001 − YTA. "We've known each other a long time" - is she one of your daughters friends? Did you dump their mother for her? You didn't tell them in...

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You texted it? 6 weeks before? You expect their fiances to ask you permission to marry them? Is it 1955? All of this tells me exactly what you think women...

The least you could do is fulfil the promise you made. ....unless it will make your new daughter wife angry that it might affect her allowance? Edit - my own...

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Told us by sending an invitation to the wedding, which was 3 months after he "met" her. Joked that my brothers wife was older than his. We haven't spoken to...

AffectionateTruth147 − Info: do you care about your daughters at all? You’re treating them abhorrently.

Jman85 − INFO: Did Clare work FOR you or WITH you before you were married?

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One outlier added sarcasm without full judgment.

[Reddit User] − Yta I see a need for an organ in your future and grandchildren that will never call you grandpa. Grow up, you walking cliché

Promises carry weight beyond circumstances, especially from parent to child. The father prioritized his new life but punished disapproval with financial withdrawal. Healing requires owning communication failures first.This case highlights how adult children still crave inclusion. Keeping words matters more than proving points through money.

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Would you honor a decades-old vow despite family rift? At what point does personal happiness override past commitments?

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