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Ask Ann Cannon: Should absent biological mom or involved stepmom get central role in daughter’s wedding?

Related Topics: Sadie, Mom, stepmother, Getting Married

Dear Ann Cannon • My stepdaughter Sadie (not her real name) is getting married, and her biological mother, who has been absent for most of Sadie’s life, insists on being the mother of the bride. “Mom” thinks that she gets to help Sadie pick out a dress, choose flowers, food, walk her daughter down the aisle, sit in the front pew, do the toast, sit at the main table, etc. You get my drift.

My heart is breaking and Sadie is in a really terrible place. I would like my husband to tell “Mom” she can come to the festivities as a guest, but she is not part of the planning or actually in the wedding party.