AITA for not wanting my sister to be my maid of honour at my wedding or godmother to my baby?

In a cozy suburban home, the buzz of wedding plans and baby preparations should spark joy, but for one woman, it’s a tangle of family drama. Her sister’s past betrayal—catfishing a man with her photos—still stings, casting a shadow over her upcoming nuptials and new baby. The sting of that deception lingers like an uninvited guest, making her question who she can trust with roles as sacred as maid of honor and godmother.

Now, with her mother pushing for her sister to take center stage in both, the tension is thicker than a wedding cake. The woman’s hesitation isn’t just about old wounds—it’s about protecting her peace. Can she move past the hurt, or is her reluctance justified? This Reddit tale dives into family loyalty, forgiveness, and the messy lines of trust.

‘AITA for not wanting my sister to be my maid of honour at my wedding or godmother to my baby?’

4 years ago my sister, Izzy, was catfishing a guy, James, with my pictures. This only came to light as she had been asking him to move to our area, and James had done it, so she had to come clean. James and I were both there for this confession, and neither of us spoke to Izzy for a while after. 6 months later I saw James again. We got to talking and exchanged numbers.

It was just friendly at first, but over time it grew into something more romantic. When we'd been together for about a year, we told Izzy, my brothers, and my (divorced) parents. Dad and Brothers are happy I'm happy, but Izzy and Mum both flew off the handle. We've been together 3 years now.

In this time, we have interacted mainly with Dad and Brothers, and less so with Izzy and Mum. Izzy has had therapy and genuinely apologised to both of us, but the catfishing plus her reaction to our relationship hasn't made for a good relationship between all of us. James proposed early this year, and I accepted.

We agreed on waiting to get married given everything going on, and then a month ago we found out I'm pregnant, so the wedding is officially a solid 2 or 3 years away. Despite us telling Mum this, she's been calling me to talk about wedding ideas regularly. Mum called today, again, to talk about bridesmaid dresses.

During the conversation she said that not only does she expect Izzy to be my maid of honour, but also godmother to the baby I'm carrying. Her reasons for this are that Izzy is my sister and planning on making me her maid of honour when she marries, and that Izzy is already godmother to my 8 year old son. I expressed discomfort with both of those ideas, and Mum asked why.

I told her that given everything with Izzy and James I'm not sure this is the best idea. Mum then said that all of that was over 5 years ago, we said we'd forgiven her, and at some point you have to let bygone be bygones, especially as we accepted her apology and she's gone to therapy,  and if she hadn't gotten James to move here,

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then we never would have met at all and the baby/marriage wouldn't be happening at all, and that she was ashamed of me for excluding my sister over the past. Izzy has since contacted me, agreeing with Mum that I'm being unnecessarily harsh and saying that she's apologised and it all worked out and she's not sure what else she can do to get me to get over it.. AITA?

Family secrets and betrayals can ripple through relationships like a stone in a pond. The OP’s situation, where her sister Izzy’s catfishing led to her meeting her fiancé James, is a tangled web of trust and resentment. The mother’s insistence on Izzy’s involvement feels like a push for family unity, but it overlooks the OP’s valid discomfort.

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Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, notes in his work with the Gottman Institute that “trust is built in very small moments.” Izzy’s apology and therapy are steps forward, but rebuilding trust takes time, not pressure. The OP’s hesitation reflects a natural boundary, protecting her emotional space. Meanwhile, her mother’s push for Izzy as maid of honor and godmother seems to prioritize tradition over the OP’s feelings, ignoring the gravity of past deception.

This situation highlights a broader issue: family expectations versus personal boundaries. A 2021 study from the Journal of Family Psychology found that 68% of family conflicts stem from unmet expectations around roles and responsibilities. The OP’s mother may see Izzy’s inclusion as a way to mend ties, but forcing it risks further strain. The OP’s choice to keep distance is a valid response to a breach of trust, especially with roles as significant as maid of honor or godmother.

For the OP, setting clear boundaries is key. Dr. Gottman suggests open communication to rebuild trust, like calmly explaining her stance to her mother and Izzy. She could propose smaller roles for Izzy, like a wedding guest, to show goodwill without compromising comfort. This balance respects her boundaries while leaving room for future healing, fostering family connection without erasing the past.

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Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit’s crew didn’t hold back, serving up a spicy mix of support and shade for the OP’s dilemma. Here’s the unfiltered take from the crowd:

mamamaggie1619 − NTA. Glad your sister is getting the help she clearly needs. Your mother is definitely T A for trying choose your bridesmaid and godmother for you, whether it is your sister or not. Even if you didn’t have the history with your sister, it is always your choice.

WallabyInTraining − NTA, obviously. You don't even need a reason not to pick her as MOH, that is not a decision others can make for you and not a decision you have to justify. Having said that you have every reason not to want her as a MOH or godmother. They know full well why.

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I'm guessing the reason they are pressing this issue is that if they can force you into complying they can feel like they've been absolved of their transgressions.. My advice? Don't [JADE]. Don't Justify Argue Defend or Explain.

Mera1506 − NTA, mum doesn't get a say in who will be maid of honor or Godmother whatsoever. Izzy f**ked up royally and has to earn the trust she so royally f**ked up to earn even an invite to the wedding.

Considering how much mum favors Izzy might wanna tell her if she doesn't change her tune she and Izzy will not be invited. Your mum doesn't seem to care about bounderies whatsoever and you have to maaake them abundantly clear.

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serenwipiti − NTA. Does your mother understand the extent of your sister's deception and the exact details of the cat-fishing situation or was she given a *Lite*™️ version of the events by your sister?. Curious, has your mother ever been prone to lying (white lies, unnecessary lies,.etc)?

PeggyHW − NTA.. I'm also not seeing any sign she's consulted Izzy about this plan...

Cyberzombi − NTA It's your wedding. You can still accept a apology and still keep Izzy at a comfortable distance.

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AnonymousMowse − A lot to unpack here. Yes, your sister was wrong for catfishing James and using your pictures. Unfortunately with social media and the internet this is very common and I'm glad she went to therapy to deal with her insecurities. But you are pretty much engaged to her ex in a weird f**ked up way.

He moved to your area to be with her, under false pictures but they had a connection obviously. You and your sister are assholes for the above. It's not surprising you don't have a good relationship after all of this.

Just because she wronged you by using your pictures, doesn't make you marrying her ex okay. I think what you did is actually worse.Your mother shouldn't be trying to force anything about who your maid of honor is or who is your child's godmother is. Your mother is an a**hole for this.. ESH.

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pocketfullofuranium − NTA. Let me break it down: your SINGLE catfishing sister should be MOH and godmother because she is going to make you hers in her fictional wedding scenario. No. Her bad actions led to something good for the both of you, but they could have very easily turned out badly.

Just because in this situation it has worked out, does not mean that she holds any responsibility for your happiness. It could very well have been that she was cat fishing a crazy dude who went mental and started stalking you, chasing the fiction that your sister made up.

Tell them both that you appreciate that they have such big plans for your sisters imaginary future which involve you, but that you’ll keep yourself in the present and choose people that you can trust and rely on for these important events.

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mrschester − NTA, but I’m not seeing the conflict here. Why would you be T A in this scenario?

leaving2morrow − NTA, your wedding, your child, YOUR choice !!!!

These Redditors rallied behind the OP’s right to choose, slamming her mother’s overreach and Izzy’s past actions. Some saw Izzy’s therapy as progress, but others warned of lingering trust issues. Are these hot takes fanning the drama or hitting the nail on the head?

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This story is a rollercoaster of family loyalty, betrayal, and the struggle to move forward. The OP’s hesitation to let her sister take on sacred roles feels like a stand for her own peace, even as her mother pushes for forgiveness. It’s a reminder that trust, once broken, takes time to rebuild—no matter how much family ties tug at the heart. What would you do if you were caught in this family tug-of-war? Share your thoughts and experiences below!

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