AITAH for siding with my aunt on the “no-animal rule” for her wedding?
A 21-year-old woman is caught in a family conflict regarding her aunt’s wedding. Her aunt, who doesn’t like animals, has set a “no-animal” rule for her wedding, which is causing tension with her mother, who owns a dog and wants to bring it.
The mother argues that the dog is well-behaved and should be allowed, but the user supports her aunt’s rule, believing it is her wedding and she gets to decide the rules. The user’s mother is now upset and refusing to attend the wedding. The user is unsure if she’s wrong for siding with her aunt.
‘ AITAH for siding with my aunt on the “no-animal rule” for her wedding?’
I, 21F, have my aunt (39F) who’s getting married and I’m actually one of the bridesmaids. For the whole celebration at the church and at the after party, she wants a free-animal time since she is not a fond of animals and that she signed a contract with the owner of the place requesting that guests couldn’t bring any animal on site.
The problem is that my mom (53F) owns a dog and she absolutely adores him to a point where she would bring him everywhere at any occasion. She wants to bring the dog at the wedding but my aunt told her no. For that specific reason, my mom doesn’t want to go to my aunt’s wedding…
When I told her that she was going too far with her attitude because it’s only for a single day, she told me she contacted the owner personally to ask if she could bring the dog. I told her it was my aunt’s wedding and she was deciding the rules as long as it was not too extreme.
Here, it isn’t a weird thing to not accept animals. Just so you know, the dog itself is adorable and doesn’t cause any trouble. It’s just that if my aunt says yes, she’s afraid that other people might want to bring their animal too when it is specifically forbidden.
It’s not about the dog itself but more about respecting the rule. My mom already talked to my aunt about it and apparently had an argument before but I don’t know what happened next… I wonder if I’m the AH for standing up to my mom…. So AITA?
These are the responses from Reddit users:
imothro − NTA. Dogs don’t belong at weddings. The person whose wedding it is gets to say whether animals are allowed or not. She signed a CONTRACT saying no animals. Your mom is being an entitled p**cho.
CrazyLeadership5397 − Who brings a dog to a wedding??!!Your mom is the j**k here.
TheRealPapaDan − It sounds like the wedding will be better without your mom there. She can leave the dog home for one day.
SparkyandDolche − Did the owner tell her she could bring the dog? If not, then this is an easy one. She can’t bring the dog.
WorthAd3223 − If your mother either doesn’t go because of this, or sneaks the dog in to the wedding despite her sister having already told her no, your mother is just causing drama for no reason. Sure, she likes her dog. Nearly everyone likes their own dog.
She can sure as hell spend an afternoon or better part of a day away from her dog. If she can’t, she has much larger issues. What a stupid thing to start a family feud over. You mother is entirely, 100% in the wrong. You are in no way TA.
maroongrad − NTA if it’s a pet or ESA and not a medical service dog. Service animals are the exception. Otherwise, the mom is starting drama for the sake of drama.
RJack151 − NTA. Aunt’s wedding, aunt’s decision. Warn you aunt so she can have security turn back anyone showing up with animals.
MonsterMunch86 − Who takes a dog (that isn’t a service dog) to a wedding.
Future-Nebula74656 − The dog is not a medical device. Nta
AureliaCottaSPQR − NTA I don’t want a dog at a place where dinner will be served.
Do you think the user is right for supporting her aunt’s no-animal rule, or is she being too harsh on her mother? How would you handle a similar situation in your family? Share your thoughts and advice below!