AITA for picking a wedding date?
Just two days after getting engaged, the couple got a text from the future brother-in-law asking about their wedding date—because “we can’t have two weddings in the same year.” They mentioned early summer 2022, while the future sister-in-law eyed fall. No one seemed too concerned at first.
As venues and vendors filled up fast from COVID reschedules, the couple shifted plans to August after finding May through July booked solid. At Christmas, they shared the update; no objections. But when they confirmed the August date with family before booking, the future sister-in-law exploded—accusing them of stealing “her” year, claiming family couldn’t handle two weddings, and insisting they push to 2023. She stormed out after a scene, leaving the couple wondering if they were wrong for not yielding the entire year.
‘AITA for picking a wedding date?’
The unusual request came almost immediately after the engagement:
Planning moved quickly due to limited availability, with updates shared along the way:
Wedding planning often stirs up unspoken expectations around timing, attention, and family resources. Claiming an entire year feels extreme to many, but some couples do consider seasons or proximity to avoid overlap in guest effort or spotlight.
COVID backlogs made 2022 especially competitive, forcing quicker decisions and less flexibility. Communication gaps—like vague “fall” plans versus booked dates—can fuel resentment when assumptions clash with reality.
Bridal entitlement sometimes peaks under stress, turning preferences into demands. Healthy families navigate this through compromise and clear talks early on.
Long-term, prioritizing one couple’s vision over another’s rarely resolves without hard feelings. Open discussions about budgets, travel, and emotional needs help everyone feel heard.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Most commenters sided firmly with NTA, dismissing the idea of owning a whole year and praising the couple’s proactive planning:
Many laughed off the “wedding year” concept and shared stories of multiple family weddings close together:
A few acknowledged potential overlap concerns but still faulted the dramatic reaction:
Others called it bridezilla behavior or shared similar experiences:
![[Reddit User] - NTA. While it's hard for people to attend two weddings that are close, like within the same month, it's generally not difficult for people to attend multiple...](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/wp-editor-1766807060932-10.webp)
A couple noted missing details or offered mild counterpoints:
Weddings bring joy but also hidden expectations about timing and attention. One couple locked in a date amid tight availability; another felt their preferred season was encroached upon without a firm plan.
In the end, no one truly “owns” a year—or even a season. But emotions run high when visions clash. If you’d claimed a timeframe first only to see plans shift closer, how might that feel? Or if circumstances forced your hand into limited options, what compromises seem fair? What role does clear, early communication play in keeping family peace during big milestones? Curious what you’d prioritize in a similar spot.
