Can I sue my in-laws for wedding costs?

Question

My in-laws have backed out of coming to my wedding in July for the third time in a year. If they don't get what the want they flip out and refuse to come. We're so sick of it, we have deided not to continue this fight with them. The problem is that my parents have already paid for our wedding to accomodate his parents guests. I have paid all of the costs of the flower girl's expenses. Now the in-laws will not allow any of their people to attend the wedding including their daughter, my flower girl. They will not budge on this. They canceled the rehearsal dinner and have refused to pay us back for any of the other costs. Can I sue them? By the way, my fiance hates them and is cool with this.

Answer 1

I doubt you have legal grounds to sue them. You certainly have grounds to never have anything to do with them again, though, so that's something.

Answer 2

You need to be more specific. But to answer your question, sure they can sue for damages, especially if an oral contract to get married to their daughter was made. However, if they paid for the wedding and you got married and now want you to pay them back, it's a non-issue. They'll have a hard time enforcing that, unless you agreed to pay them. If you got married and then divorced... then again it'll be hard to sue. If you DID NOT get married... and the reason you didn't was because your future wife didn't want to, or she started revealing her true colors now that she figured you were getting hitched, then you can simply decline in my view. She changed the nature of the contract because you agreed to marry under false pretenses if she started changing her position on things. If they insist on trying to stick you with the bills, then I'd tally up every cent you spent on their daughter and hand it to them. Tell them they will have to take all the movies, dinners, etc. Simply put, if the relationship ended. It ended for a reason. Point out that it is cheaper than a divorce a year later. Whatever you do, if you are still dating her and the marriage was called off because you weren't ready... then tell them they can reschedule and not lose their deposits with the caterers etc. Most companies will work with you because the wedding business is all word of mouth.

Answer 3

I am not sure what is the reason why they are not willing to attend the wedding for the third time so it would not be fair to answer that question unless all know that the reason they don't attend is not genuine. If its genuine then you should resolve that before you even plant if not then you can sue them and will probably win the case based on damages done to you with no reason

Answer 4

You can sue anybody for anything, but chances are extremely slim that you'll win. They have the right to change their mind and unless you have a contract, they have no obligation to reimburse you for anything.

In all this what I find the saddest is the fact that your fiance (based on your statement) hates his/her own parents.

Answer 5

Take the high road and forget about them. It's THEIR loss. You can sue anyone for anything but WINNING is another matter. There is no "Winning" in this situation. Do you want to look like the fools on Judge Judy ?

Answer 6

just go on with the wedding as planned just get new people to fill the places they will leave empty this is supposed to be a happy day dont worry about them

Answer 7

Then grow up and get married. A little respect is good, but it must come both ways.
(Advise 2, let decisions regarding in-laws be guided by your spouse to be, or you will regret it later)

Answer 8

1 it will blow over again but if they ruin that and you pay for it 1 find someone that size to bbbbe your flower girl if not take them to small claim court