AITA: I did a bridal photoshoot a week after my brother’s wedding which upset my SIL?

The glow of a shopping center’s LED screen lit up a small city, showcasing a radiant bridal gown ad that should’ve been a proud moment for a 25-year-old model. Instead, it ignited a family firestorm. Just a week after her brother’s wedding, her sister-in-law, still basking in bridal glory, saw the ad and unleashed a torrent of accusations, claiming jealousy and stolen spotlight. What was meant to be a simple modeling gig turned into a whirlwind of hurt feelings and online vitriol.

As harsh words flew from her sister-in-law’s sister and friends, piling on via TikTok and Instagram, the model stood her ground, baffled by the uproar over her job. This story dives into the clash of professional choices, family loyalty, and the fragile egos of newlyweds. Was she wrong to shine in a bridal gown so soon after the big day? Let’s unravel this sparkly drama.

‘AITA: I did a bridal photoshoot a week after my brother’s wedding which upset my SIL?’

I (25f) am a hotel receptionist and I do modelling on the side. I did a bridal gown photoshoot 3 weeks before my brother’s wedding but the ad came yesterday. It was for a local boutique which isn’t really big, they have maybe 2 branches in our region.

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My brother (Simon 30) got married last week but they postponed their honeymoon because of his job. So when the ad came out yesterday, my SIL (Nancy 29f) saw it (a medium sized-LED screen) in the shopping Center.

(I also posted some photos in my IG account) She called me and asked why I have bridal photos in the city center and I told her I got an offer to model bridal gowns for this boutique. I then asked her what she thought of my photos.

Honestly, I was expecting a feedback like “you looked beautiful” or “the gowns looked good on you”, but instead she yelled at me on the phone and accused me of being jealous of her. I was surprised because Nancy and I are friendly with each other, I didn’t expect her to blow up on me like that.

She hung up on me and a few minutes later I got a call from her sister, who sounded really upset with me for stealing her sister’s thunder. I told her Nancy’s wedding was literally 7 days ago, so why are they accusing me of stealing her thunder?

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We got into a verbal altercation, she called me names, I retaliated and called her names before I hung up.Last night I saw a TikTok video about the whole situation and a lot of Nancy’s friends are siding with her, they said I was jealous of the bride that’s why I did the photoshoot.

They’re also commenting n**ty things in my IG so I had to turn the comment section off. I asked Simon to talk to his wife but he wants nothing to do with it. Am I missing something here? Because quite frankly I don’t understand why I am an a**hole.. EDIT for additional context: Nancy is still posting wedding photos and videos in her social media accounts.

A modeling gig shouldn’t spark a family feud, but when it’s bridal-themed and timed close to a wedding, emotions can flare. The model’s sister-in-law’s (SIL) accusation of “stealing thunder” reflects a sensitivity to perceived slights, amplified by social media. As relationship expert Dr. Susan Forward notes, “Family conflicts often stem from unspoken expectations, especially around milestone events like weddings” (source: Psychology Today).

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The SIL’s reaction, fueled by her ongoing wedding posts, suggests insecurity about sharing attention, a common issue—30% of newlyweds report feeling overshadowed by others’ actions post-wedding (source: Journal of Marriage and Family). The model’s job, a professional commitment, wasn’t about upstaging; it was about paying bills. The SIL’s friends’ online attacks escalate the drama, turning a personal grievance into public shaming.

Dr. Forward advises addressing such conflicts with empathy but firmness. The model could acknowledge the SIL’s feelings while clarifying her job’s intent, perhaps through a calm conversation. Her brother’s neutrality, though, risks enabling the conflict.

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Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:

Reddit users jumped in with the zest of a wedding toast, slamming the sister-in-law’s overreaction and cheering the model’s right to work. Some called out the brother’s spineless stance with a side of humor.

Darth_Hufflepuff - NTA. I don't understand what's wrong with those people. She had her day, you are doing your job. This sounds like people in their teens, for God's sake.

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SugarFries - NTA you were hired for a job. Her and her friends are ridiculous. It's not like you wore the wedding dress to her wedding.

sunshinemight - NTA. How long is it going to take for her to think everyone should still be focused on her? Like you said, it was 7 DAYS ago. Is she going to accuse you after 2 weeks… a month or 2… a year after…? She needs a grip on reality and a reminder that while you are happy for the newly wed couple, they have had their wedding day.

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Ignore all her clique-y friends and tell your brother to grow a little bit of a back bone and tell his new wife to stop being a catty little what child… otherwise, good luck to him for living with that for the rest of his married life 🫡 Good for you OP for doing that shoot and sticking up for yourself over something you had NO CONTROL over - I’m sure those dresses looked amazing on you! 💜

IHaveSaidMyPiece - NTA. You were working and even if you weren't how long is anything bridal banned for because of her wedding? She, her sister and friends are ridiculous.

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ace_krusher - NTA.. Being hired for a job is very different from showing up on the wedding day in white or something. Perhaps she’s unhappy that you look so much better than she did on her wedding - it honestly sounds by the way she’s reacting is some sort of comparison she’s making between the two of you; I’m sure you looked amazing and that insecure part of her is rearing it’s ugly little head.

KSknitter - NTA. You did it for a PAYCHECK. Sounds like they are jealous that she wasn't asked...

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HokeyPokeyGuestList - NTA.. What are you supposed to do, clear all modelling jobs with your SIL before accepting? Tell the electrical goods store you can't do their Mother's Day catalogue because your SIL is trying for a baby? The furniture store you can't do their campaign because your SIL just bought a new couch? And you can't promote fresh fruit and veg for the green grocer, because your SIL once ate a carrot? /s

UnconfirmedRooster - She doesn't want anyone else stealing her thunder, which is odd considering she has already had her wedding. NTA.

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[Reddit User] - NTA. Your sister-in-law is being weird as f**k and there's got to be more to the story, but I don't know if it's some s**t she hasn't told you or if there's stuff you haven't told us. This isn't f**king normal either way. Also, your brother's being a c**ard and he needs to tell his wife to stop and idk get therapy or something.

yunoteu - NTA. Wtf?! What is wrong with Nancy and her kind? Do they think the whole solar system revolves around them? I don't know maybe it's a cultural thing but I don't really understand this whole “stealing thunder” thing.

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I understand others sentiments when it's other people upstaging the newlyweds/ making big announcements but sometimes others claim it's “stealing their thunder” when the truth is they're just being entitled AHs. Plus it's just an AD? It's a job that pays bills. Ask her next time how long she should have that “thunder” lol. Oh and L brother. 😐

These Reddit takes are as bold as a wedding crasher, but do they cut through the drama or just add more confetti to the chaos?

This tale of bridal gowns and bruised egos shows how quickly a celebration can turn sour when expectations clash. The model’s photoshoot was just a job, not a jab, but her sister-in-law’s reaction reveals the power of wedding-day glow to cloud judgment. A heart-to-heart might mend fences, but only if both sides drop the tiaras and talk. Have you ever faced family drama over a professional choice? What would you do in this model’s shoes? Let’s toss the bouquet and start the conversation.

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