AITA for not postponing our wedding to accommodate my SIL?

Weddings are meant to be joyful celebrations of love, but sometimes unexpected family drama can threaten to steal the spotlight. In this case, a 28-year-old bride-to-be explains how her wedding plans came under fire from her sister-in-law (SIL) after a surprise announcement.

After years of saving for a lavish wedding in a palace in India, she and her fiancé set a date well in advance to accommodate guests’ travel and holiday plans. However, when her SIL—who has always enjoyed a golden child status in the family—revealed that she was pregnant and hinted that the wedding should be postponed so she could attend, the bride was left fuming.

For the bride, the wedding is a long-awaited dream come true, meticulously planned over five years. The idea of postponing it by six months to accommodate her SIL’s change in circumstances felt not only impractical but also unfair.

She firmly rejected the notion that her SIL’s pregnancy should take precedence over her own happiness and the couple’s big day. The fallout has drawn strong opinions from family members, leaving everyone to wonder: Is it unreasonable to stand by your wedding plans, or should family always be prioritized?

‘AITA for not postponing our wedding to accommodate my SIL?’

Dr. Linda Matthews, a relationship and event planning expert, explains, “Weddings are intensely personal events that reflect the vision and priorities of the couple. When unexpected family circumstances arise, it is vital to balance empathy with the need to preserve your planned celebration.” According to Dr. Matthews, the bride’s decision to keep her original wedding date is a rational one—especially when arrangements have been set far in advance and substantial investments made.

She continues, “While it’s important to consider family dynamics, compromising on your wedding plans because of a relative’s change in circumstance can lead to long-term regret. The SIL’s pregnancy, though certainly significant, does not override the careful planning and emotional investment that the couple has put into their wedding.”

Dr. Matthews advises that if there is any room for compromise, it might involve offering remote participation options for those unable to attend rather than postponing the entire event. This approach preserves the couple’s vision while still acknowledging the SIL’s situation.

Furthermore, Dr. Karen Fields, an expert in family dynamics, adds, “Setting boundaries in family events is crucial. The decision to maintain the wedding date communicates that the couple’s commitment to each other and their plans is non-negotiable. It’s not about disregarding family, but about protecting what is sacred to you.” Both experts agree that while family input is valuable, ultimately, the couple’s wishes for their special day should take precedence.

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

Overall, the Reddit community strongly supports the bride’s decision to stick to her wedding date. Many commenters point out that if the SIL’s pregnancy was a significant event, she should have been more considerate long before now. They argue that the bride and groom planned this day for years, and last-minute demands to postpone the wedding are not only unreasonable but also disrespect the couple’s efforts.

Some voices suggest that such an adjustment would create a cascade of logistical issues and ongoing drama, while others note that the SIL’s interference appears more like a power play than a genuine concern. The prevailing sentiment is that family should not be allowed to hijack a well-planned celebration simply because one person’s circumstances have changed. In short, the community agrees that the bride’s choice is both fair and justified.

At the end of the day, your wedding is your day—a celebration of your love and commitment that you have meticulously planned over years. While family is important, sometimes it’s necessary to draw boundaries to ensure that your vision isn’t compromised by last-minute demands.

Do you think it’s reasonable to stand firm on your wedding plans, or should family circumstances always force a compromise? How would you handle a situation where a relative’s personal news threatens to derail your carefully planned celebration? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s discuss how to balance family dynamics with personal milestones.