PW Guide Article: How to Manage Unsupportive Friends and Family Members

I am going through a lot of this right now. I haven't even gotten the energy to tell my parents yet that we are engaged because they have such a negative view of my fiance. Not only are their religious differences, but there are cultural differences that make them think he isn't good enough for me and that he's just a freeloader etc. None of their views have any weight either, but they are refusing to budge. So I'm planning my wedding with his family (who is very supportive and happy for us) and all of my closest friends, who are bridesmaids as well. Honestly, it's making my life easier just cutting my family away until they come around.

Wonderful article, and very helpful

Thanks for this article!

Thank you SO much for this article!

Thanks so much for this article!!  Really great advice :)

awesome :o)

I think this is a terrible article. Unless your family and friends are people not to be looked up to, it absolutely must be taken into account if the people closest to you don't approve. If my parents had serious reservations about my fiance I'd absolutely listen to them. This article does not protect the bride- just the bride-to-be's "big party"... the wedding. And religion is a huge issue- something that will not rear it's massive head until 10 or 20 years into the marriage. Not that couples from different religions shouldn't marry, but I think serious pre-marital counseling needs to take place in those situations. The big wedding doesn't matter years in the future when unresolved issues reveal themselves. I would say, brides, listen to your family and friends. This is about your life and not a big fancy 'party'. xoxoxo!!!

Really good article!

If I were to listen to my mother about her disapproval of my marriage to my fiancé, I would be alone. Some people have issues regardless of who the individual is. I am marrying a wonderful person that everyone loves but my mother (who claims she like him), because of her own issues, now has a problem with us getting married, 4 years after being together.

Even though family and friends approval is important, their disapproval is often times based on selfish issues. If they never had a problem with your spouse before, why make an issue now. This is a helpful article because it gives you a little bit of perspective on why others will act the way they do and allows a bride/groom an idea of how to handle the situation without making it a bigger deal.

That’s right; this is about your life, your decision, and your own choices. Yes, it is beneficial to have discussed important issues prior to marriage, but it all comes down to the two of you and what you do for you.