My brother is getting married later this year. We knew about the engagement for sometime, and I always imagined that our daughter (who will be 3.5) would attend the wedding with us. The couple has emphasize how casual the wedding would be, so I was really taking it back when we received the invite and it politely said no kids.
I texted my brother‘s fiancé just to confirm that this restriction applied to family as well as to friends. She said yes and reiterated the no kids rule.
I’m feeling really hurt by this. I know that kids, free weddings are very common, but I guess I always assumed that there would be exceptions for immediate family. Additionally, I heard that the fiancé‘s nephew, who is almost the exact same age as my child, will be a part of the ceremony. (My kiddo is not as close to the couple because we live far away, but everyone still enjoys each other’s company at family holiday, etc.)
All of these feelings, make me want to decline the wedding invitation. But I worry that’s the wrong choice for the long-term in my family. But I also feel like accepting the invite would mean I was being an authentic to myself.
Looking for advice, experience, or commiseration! I’ve tried reading through logical explanations for why it should be no big deal to leave my kid at home, but the logic just isn’t getting to me. I feel like a part of my family has been rejected, and I’m supposed to go and celebrate somebody else’s chosen family.