AITA For kicking my 3 sisters out of my wedding after they came with their kids?

A Reddit user shared his experience of enforcing a child-free policy at his wedding, which led to a major family conflict. Despite clear communication, the user’s three sisters, influenced by their mother, arrived with their kids, forcing him to involve security and remove them.

The fallout included harsh criticism, accusations, and demands for a second wedding with children included. Curious about the family’s reaction and how the situation unfolded? Read the full story below!

‘ AITA For kicking my 3 sisters out of my wedding after they came with their kids?’

My wife and I got married 2 weeks ago. We wanted a child-free wedding so we’ve let everyone know my family/inlaws/friends and relatives and everyone was okay with it. Except for my family. I have 3 sisters all with kids from 2-10.

My mom said it was illogical to not allow kids since (1 this never happened in the family and (2 my sisters live towns away so the kids can’t be left alone. After a lot of arguing and others getting involved.

I stood my ground and they agreed to not bring kids. At the wedding no one brought kids. My parents and aunts were already there. But then I saw my 2 sisters arriving with their kids. I immediately went to ask what’s the deal.

They began arguing with me when I said I won’t be letting them in with the kids. I saw My older sister came with her kids in the car I was pissed I asked why they decided to go against the rule and bring kids.

My mom started yelling at me when I told my sisters they weren’t allowed in with the kids.
Everyone was yelling at me I had to get the security involved to make them leave. My parents and aunt left shortly after.

They were so pissed at me. I got n**ty texts later and my cousin posted about my “s**tty wedding” on fb. Days later.
I’ve gathered the family and explained that what they did was wrong.

I asked If I allowed my sisters with their kids what message does that send to my inlaws and friends who wanted to bring kids but they couldn’t? My sisters argued with me and it turned out my mom told them to bring their kids and she’d deal with me later. I told them they could’ve arranged for a babysitter but my mom said they wanted to celebrate as a whole family.

Said that I ruined my own wedding by making a scene.
And everyone will always remember my wedding as a disaster, a shitshow because of mine and my wife’s child-free bull.

They said the only way to fix it is to have another wedding/party and include everyone especially kids- I called them unreasonable. I asked mom where TF she got the nerve to even demand that?.

They blamed my wife and claimed it was deliberate. I left.
They started talking to my wife trying to convince her that they don’t approve of what happened and that they’re giving us the chance to fix the situation otherwise the relationship is damaged.

This caused me a headache and I don’t think what I did was wrong.
I just wanted them to have some respect for my wife and her family.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

butt5000 −  NTA – Your wedding, you set the rules and the guest list. Kids weren’t on it. They broke the rules intentionally and they suffered the consequences. Stand your ground.

WaffleDynamics −  NTA and your family is massively s**tty. I’m betting this isn’t the first time they’ve tried to bully you to get their way. Tell them to pound sand.

QueenIsolde −  NTA. 1) It is your day and therefore, your rules. 2) Your sisters had plenty of time to arrange alternative childcare arrangements, I’m assuming this isn’t something you sprung on them.

3) You have now set a precedent for letting your family know that they cannot run roughshod over you.
4) You’re right. It would’ve been unfair to those that had to leave their kids behind.

queen_perra −  NTA. You asked them before hand to not bring kids and they did anyway.
Also, kids count as regular guests for weddings and it’s not cool to bring ppl that’s not invited especially when you have to pay per person for food, chairs, etc.

[Reddit User] −  NTA how the f**k did they come to the conclusion that it was your wifes fault? It was your mother who overstepped boundaries and acted as tho she could give that permission.

JairiB −  NTA\~ I have 5 children. My cousin wanted a childfree wedding. I did not get mad or upset or demand they be allowed to come. However, when I showed up and saw dozens of other children running around, I did feel very upset. It still bothers me to this day.

confusingparadox −  NTA. Your mum and sisters are amazingly horrible. How is it that your mum basically contradicted your requests and your sisters don’t care too? Getting security to escort them out is humiliating for everyone, and they have now made your special day a horrible one. I’m sorry for you.

MongooseOnTheLoose42 −  You set boundaries, they crossed them. Now, there are consequences and they are trying to define the parameters/rewrite the narrative.. Stick to your guns. They’ll either get in-line or you’ll leave them behind.. NTA.

vance_mason −  OP, that final line “They blamed my wife” says everything about who your family are as people.
They believe that they have you beaten down and controlled, so any defiance of their wishes must stem from your wife, not your own preferences.

NTA. Good for you for standing for your own principles. Continue to stand your ground, or this will only get worse.

takimyildiz −  ESH – Honestly, I’ve been to a dozen weddings and yet the only reason I even know that childfree weddings exist is because of reddit.

I know everyone here is all about “youre wedding youre rules” but I really think that sometimes it’s just unreasonable (I know a very bad stance here on reddit ). Especially if they live in a different city and woul’d need to leave them over night ( depends on how old the kids are ).

I think that it is ok to say that you woul’d prefere everyone to come without theire kids but to ban them from the wedding just because they brought them is ridiculous. Of course what your mother ( and sisters ) did was absouluty uncalled for, especially since she new your hard stance on the toppic.

Do you think the Redditor was justified in enforcing the child-free rule at his wedding, or should he have made an exception for his sisters? How would you handle a similar situation with family disregarding your wishes?
Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!