Dad Can’t Stand His Son’s Fiancée, So He Decides to Break the Promise He Made to Pay For Wedding

A father had made a solemn vow to assist his children financially with their weddings. He faithfully upheld this promise for his two older offspring. Yet, as the third child's wedding approached, he grappled with a dilemma. The pressing question was: What compelled him to consider breaking his promise this time?

On May 2, 2023, an anonymous father shared a poignant chapter of his family life on the highly popular "AITA" subreddit. At its core was the impending wedding of his son, a commitment he had steadfastly upheld—to financially support his children in their wedding endeavors—a vow he had faithfully fulfilled for his two elder offspring.

But, as the story unfolded, a twist emerged. His son's choice of a life partner raised significant concerns for the father. This bride-to-be possessed qualities that didn't sit well with him, compelling the man to go as far as harboring the definite thought of breaking the promise he had made to his son.

Why Was the Father Willing to Break His Promise?

"[My] son is getting married to an insufferable woman. She is too egoistic and I don't like her at all," noted the man while defending his decision. Besides being unable to stand his son's fiancée, the original poster had another solid reason for wanting to go back on his word.

It was a choice that had ignited a fierce disagreement within their household, with both his wife and son united in their belief that he had made a grave error.

His youngest child, a bright and promising individual, loomed large in the backdrop. Within their city was a prestigious but financially demanding school, offering the promise of a superior education and potential admission to an esteemed college—thus opening the gateway to a brighter future.

As the family grappled with this dilemma, a subtle yet compelling question lingered beneath the surface. While his wife passionately advocated for channeling their funds towards their son's wedding, the father, resolute in his convictions, chose instead to preserve his personal savings for the betterment of his daughter's education.

It was a choice that had ignited a fierce disagreement within their household, with both his wife and son united in their belief that he had made a grave error. "My wife and son both think I'm an [expletive] but I think my daughter's future is more important than a party," explained the adamant father.

What Do Redditors Say?

As the man's narrative unfolded, it garnered substantial attention within the "AITA" subreddit, racking up numerous comments from fellow Reddit users. The prevailing sentiment among the commenters deemed the father as "AH," defending their choice with impassioned arguments.

Many argued that the man had broken a promise, with one commenter stating that unless the father explicitly stated, "I promise to fund your wedding unless I don't like your [fiancée]," he had indeed broken his promise.

Others delved into the man's motives, referencing his admission that even if he did like his son's fiancée, he wasn't sure if he'd give them money. They speculated that he may have intended to prioritize his daughter's education regardless, but his reasons for disliking his son's fiancée remained a mystery.

Some commenters highlighted the issue of financial priorities, suggesting that education expenses had always been a potential use of the funds, and the timing of the decision raised suspicions that the man might use the money for his daughter's education first and then find reasons to avoid contributing to his son's wedding.

A perspective on family dynamics emerged, with one commenter mentioning the possibility of discussing financial solutions if the family had healthier relationships. They also speculated that the father's criticism of the fiancée's ego might indicate an authoritarian parenting style.

Lastly, some commenters expressed a direct and candid judgment, stating that making promises that cannot be kept was problematic. They warned that continuing with the plan could lead to the son harboring lasting resentment for perceived favoritism towards other siblings.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think OP's justified in wanting to break his promise to his son, given that he kept it for his oldest children? What would you do if you were in his place? Click here to read another story about a doting father who refused to pay a dime for his son's wedding.