My brother is getting married in
August. They are having the ceremony in a public park. His
fiancé asked that I not bring our 13 month old son to the
wedding. We will be driving 2 hours each way to attend plus
paying for a hotel to stay overnight.
My soon to be sister-in-law is afraid of him crying. I told
that he is a part of our family and we will be bringing him.
If he is fussy during the ceremony, I would of course leave.
What is appropriate for this situation?
Situations like yours are always
difficult. Technically, the bride and groom get to decide who
they want to attend and not attend their wedding. However,
when a family member has come from out of town to attend the
wedding and has no suitable babysitter in the area, it is a
courtesy to allow them to bring their children, assuming that
the children are well-behaved. I would think that your
brother would want to have you, your husband, and your son in
at least a couple of the wedding pictures as well.
I suggest that you talk to your
brother and let him explain to his bride that he really wants
all of your family there, assuming that he does. If you sit
near the back during the ceremony and your son gets fussy, it
is easy to move away to a place where you can still see, but
he won't be heard. At his age, there is a good possibility
that he will sleep through the ceremony. I can't see that the
reception should be a problem unless it will be quite late.
If you and your parents are there, as well as aunts and
cousins, your son should have plenty to occupy him.
Glenna Tooman, ForeverWed.com
Wedding Consultant
