Eldest Son's Decision To Sell Valuable Family Heirloom Has His Family Backing Out From Attending "Lavish" Wedding

"This means that virtually none of my family will attend the wedding"

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• January 15, 2024

Anything valuable that has been passed down from a deceased family member is considered a family heirloom. Certain heirlooms hold significant value and have the potential to fetch thousands of dollars when sold, making them true treasures.

Some are purely emotional, but that doesn't make them any less cherished because of their low monetary value. Family treasures have been handed down for ages from parent to child and can date back several generations.

Alternatively, they might be more recent, something that will be passed on in the future after being received from a parent or grandparent. Above all, family heirlooms evoke memories of the unique individuals who gifted them to us, no matter how big or small.

OP's dad passed away, and in his will, he left him a very valuable family heirloom. The OP's not much for big family traditions, so although it's a nice thing to have, he's not massively attached to it.

However, OP's brother is a huge history nerd and is really, really attached to it. He was very upset by their father's decision in the will, so his anger must have tripped when he found out the OP planned on selling the heirloom.

You see, the OP and his fiance want to have quite a lavish wedding at a winery in another state, and they needed money for it. They both have stable jobs and a good amount of savings, but it's not quite enough for the plans they have in their heads.

The headline

OP has plenty of other good memories of his late father and he doesn't need a fancy heirloom

This means that virtually none of the OP's family will attend the wedding, which he's really upset about

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the AH:

I sold a five-figure family heirloom to pay for a destination wedding. My brother (who expected to inherit this heirloom) is furious with me and claims I have no respect for the family. I think I may be the AH for ruining a centuries old tradition, but on the other hand the heirloom is my property to do with as I please.

The Reddit post went viral with thousands of comments and here are a few of the most upvoted ones

From a receiver of a family heirloom

This Redditor hopes the OP's lavish wedding is worth it to him

They made those decisions mostly on their own

OP can't afford that without hocking something important to his family

OP knew his family cared a lot for it and he wants to sell it

It's been passed down through the OP's family for generations

This Redditor does not blame the OP's family for not wanting to go

It is the OP's to do as he pleases

Although it seems to mean nothing to the OP, his brother finds significance in this family heirloom. So even though the OP has every right to sell it, his brother and the rest of his family have the right to decline to attend his wedding, should that desire be made.

Redditors declared the OP the AH for acting as though his brother has no right to be upset about it.

Maryjane