It seems like where there's a wedding, there's almost bound to be some sort of drama... Maybe it's Bridezilla at work, or a case of the jealous bridesmaid. Perhaps a wicked MIL wants to ruin the day, or the best man has one too many before giving the toast.
In the case of the following story, it was a complete stranger who arrived at the reception with main character energy. The entitled woman had the audacity to plonk herself down in the bride's mother's seat and proceeded to act like she was her grandma. After the bride shared the story online, many people believed her father might be to blame. Bored Panda reached out to Etiquette Expert Rosalinda Randall to hear her thoughts on the drama.
She rocked up at the wedding reception with main character energy and stole the bride's mother's seat
Image credits: svittlana / envato (not the actual photo)
The shocked bride believes her father might be to blame for the stranger's stunt
Image credits: The Yuri Arcurs Collection / freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: KaylaDraws
She later said it seems like her father somehow believes this stranger is her new grandmother
"Why are you surprised? Your father doesn’t seem to have a great track record of good decision-making," an expert weighs in
Image credits: valeriygoncharukphoto / envato (not the actual photo)
The woman’s father doesn’t seem to have a great track record of good decision-making. So says Etiquette Expert Rosalinda Randall when Bored Panda relays the story to her.
Randall adds that it’s not too surprising, then, that he went ahead and invited his mother-in-law to the wedding. However, she believes that the dad or his new wife should have stepped in immediately when the woman sat where she was not supposed to.
Randall tells us there’s not much point in the daughter confronting her father after the fact. But if she does decide to do so, she should enter the conversation with emotional armor.
“Since her relationship with dad is already lukewarm, bringing this up may cause it to become icy,” explains Randall. “Instead, she could consider approaching her stepmom. Bring it up with a tone of curiosity, not confrontation. Then, let her do the talking. She may provide insight into why she brought along her parents and share Granny’s quirks.”
Randall applauded the mother for how she handled the drama. “A mother’s job is never done, “ she told us. “Like many moms would have done, this mother stepped in and handled a situation to avoid disrupting her daughter and son-in-law’s memorable day. She allowed the event to proceed without unnecessary finger-pointing or conflict.”
We asked the expert what general advice she has for couples when it comes to seating plans/guestlists for weddings where there is high conflict as a result of parents' divorce, cheating, etc.
“When there are broken family relationships, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of using ‘place cards’. Be strategic about logistics. This includes table placement, rehearsal dinner to hotel room proximity,” she replied, adding that it helps to speak to each person involved about their preferences and whether you can count on their good behavior. “Hopefully, this will be a reminder to leave their conflicts at home,” Randall says.
“It is devastating when our heart is broken or betrayed by a parent. Sometimes, time, unfinished conversations, or choosing forgiveness is the only way to mend it,” the Etiquette Expert told Bored Panda. “I believe that it is up to a parent to fight for the relationship. Even if you must humble yourself and beg for forgiveness, month after month, year after year.”
Lastly, says Randall, if the parent-child relationship is still mending or distant, don’t portray a closeness that isn’t there. “Behave in a way that is comfortable for your adult child; show them you understand your place in their life.”
"Next level entitlement": many people were shocked, but some agreed the dad was to blame
A surprising number of people had similar stories to share
