I read this story on Reddit about a woman who shared her frustration with her MIL, who ruined her elopement a couple of years ago and now seems to be copying her wedding idea. The original elopement was supposed to be an intimate, private ceremony in the mountains due to COVID. Since her parents couldn’t attend, the couple decided to keep it small and meaningful—just the two of them.
Unfortunately, her MIL had other plans. Without consulting the couple, she sent her BIL and SIL to “surprise” them on their wedding day. The uninvited guests turned the private ceremony into a chaotic, awkward affair. They followed the couple on their romantic hike, talked through their wedding photo session, and even ended up in many of the photos. To make matters worse, the BIL later bragged about “being there” and hijacked conversations about the couple’s wedding to share his own photos and stories.
Although the woman’s husband later confronted his mother about the incident, and the MIL seemed to understand the hurt she caused, the damage had already been done. The couple tried to move on.
Fast forward to the present, and the MIL is newly engaged. She’s now planning her own mountain elopement, almost identical to the couple’s original idea. The woman feels like her MIL is not only tone-deaf but also trying to overshadow their wedding experience altogether. While she knows better than to say something petty, she can’t help but feel bitter and frustrated.
She asked for advice on how to let go of her resentment and move on without letting her MIL’s actions ruin her peace of mind. Some commenters empathized deeply, validating her feelings of betrayal and frustration, while others encouraged her to focus on setting boundaries for the future.
“Your MIL seems to lack self-awareness and respect for boundaries. It’s important to let your feelings out, but also remember this is her issue, not yours. Don’t let her steal more of your joy.”
The woman agreed, but the bitterness still lingered. It’s a classic case of navigating family dynamics and trying to protect one’s peace in the face of selfish or thoughtless behavior.