You are the asshole, your mom's a bitch,, your stepdad should bail on both of you.
I Excluded My Stepdad From My Family Photo, My Dad’s Comfort Comes First


Family bonds can be both beautiful and fragile, especially when emotions run high during life’s most important milestones. Weddings, birthdays, and other big moments often bring unspoken tensions to the surface in unexpected ways. Recently, one of our readers sent us a letter about how a single decision during her wedding day changed the course of her family forever.
Marcia’s letter:
Hi Bright Side,
My stepdad raised me since I was 8.
My dad remarried and moved away. I see him rarely, so I really value my time with him.
Now, I am 27. My wedding was on Friday. We were taking the big family photo when Dad told me,
“You only have one dad! It’s either me or him in the picture!”
So, I gently asked Stepdad to step aside so that we could take family photos.
He smiled and left the room.
Later in the evening, when the ceremony ended, I went to the house and froze when I saw my mother in tears. Imagine my shock when I found that all my stepdad’s things were gone. My mom said that he left, and all he left her was a note.
It read, “I gave my best years to this family, but today it became clear to me that I was never considered a real family member. Since I don’t belong here, you’ll never see me again. Goodbye.”
I’ve been trying to call him ever since to convince him to return, but he’s not picking up.
All I wanted was to please my dad on my wedding day.
Am I to blame here?
Marcia


You stupid girl. Yes you are wrong....
Maybe you could have done better, but he already had plans to go... you are his excuse.
If you have to even ask if you were wrong, you are selfish and will never get it. My husband had 2 kids when we married and moved 1500 miles away. But he still maintained contact with his kids, even though they had a wonderful step-dad. When his daughter married, my husband just assumed his daughter would be walked down the aisle by her step-dad, who was there ever day for her. Instead, she asked them both to walk her, one of each side, as each had equal importance to her. She refused to chose, and she shouldn't be made to. Obviously, your step-dad didn't mean as much to you as he thought he did.
If your step-father helped raise you from the time that you were 8 yrs old, then YES, you are in the wrong. He became part of your family when he married your mother. You stated that your Dad was rarely around. This man was there for you on a regular basis, and you treated him like dirt. You made him feel like everything that he did was for nothing. I don't blame him for feeling used and tossed aside.
What an incredibly poor and absurdly biased response! How can you say he was treated like dirt, this was a one off family photo event. You have no idea of the circumstances prior to the husband & wife ending the relationship and you automatically assume that seeing the dad 'rarely' is the dads fault!
And the real Dad was totally correct: You can only ever have one dad, a step dad is not a dad.......he is a 'step dad'!
Yes you was wrong cause you didn't have a problem with him being there when your real dad wasn't,he didn't feel uncomfortable when he wasn't there and your stepdad to over his responsibility it was ok ..He did right packed his things and left what you calling for cause you proved to him when it comes to somethings he can't be apart
U were completely wrong & heartless. Stepdad raised u. Just bc "Dad" remarried doesn't mean he couldn't have been an active parent... LIKE STEPDAD DID. SMH, I feel so sorry for ur stepdad and feel sorry for u (but in a diff way, smh). How dare "dad"? He should be grateful a man stepped up & did what he wasn't for HIS DAUGHTER. 😢
100% You could have taken a stand for the one who deserved it and you blew it spectacularly. And for what?
Honestly, leave your mother’s future ex husband alone. Do try to contact the guy. I know exactly what he feels. I have spent many years on helping raise ungrateful kids. When times are bad, I’m the one who they call for help. And when times are good, they call their dad.
All the men who read this. I strongly advise you to avoid women with kids. Especially grown kids.
She didn't make a mistake, she made a CHOICE to do what she did
Your dad sounds jealous and immature. I assume your mom was there. Why didn't she say something? Your dad put you in a position of hurting someone you apparently care about, and that's going to bother you for a long time, especially when you look at your wedding album. Find your stepdad, and beg his forgiveness, and you better be prepared to convince him that what he wrote in his note was not true. But if he refuses to come back, I've got a feeling there might be something more going on. His feelings may be hurt, his pride may be bruised, but why would he leave your mother?
He left the wife cause she didn't stand up for him..
You are your father’s daughter that’s for sure, a complete asshole. There are so many different ways you could have handled this. The easiest would have been two photos. That being said there is more here than meets the eye. Your step dad also walked out on your mom because of your actions. I too am a step dad and I would not let the actions of any of our kids dictate my relationship with their mom.
I think deserved to be by your side in those photos there's more to this maybe but ask for forgiveness and build that hurt with him and yourself I think you need to talk to him and say sorry
You’re a BIG GAPING AH! Your stepfather RAISED YOU. Your dad chose to go move away so you saw him whenever and valued that time. Your “father” didn’t make the effort to see you while YOUR STEPFATHER RAISED you…yet your “father” demands he gets respect and only one can be in the picture and YOU chose the one that DIDNT raise you ta make him happy. And your mom didn’t do anything either. You both showed him he was good enough to provide but not enough to stand up for and give him the respect he deserves as a man. Shame on both of you. You’re married now and probably won’t ever hear from your father again mor have your stepdad. At least you’ll have a picture to remember him by and memories of what a real dad was.
Big Time!!
You are a horrible person. You are absolutely the ah you know what else you are? Un-grateful and selfish. Karma will let you feel what you made your step dad feel.
Yes you’re to blame you horrible person! You and your deadbeat biodad don’t deserve someone as great as your stepdad. I feel bad for only him and your mom. It’s your fault and you deserve all the bad things that come from this. The man who raised you is your real father, but you threw him away for someone who didn’t care about you for longer than it took him to make you. If I was marrying this person, I’d would rethink it immediately!
Yes you sure are to blame you broke his heart he raised you he should have absolutely been in the picture
Yes. Yes you are. You had the wrong person stay. You should have had the man who raised you.
Absolutely 💯
Hope you never have a child that does the same thing to you
Karma will guarantee it.
Yes you are to blame and your father is too. Your father's a total jerk and you looking up to him is probably not one of the better things in life. Your stepfather raised you and loved you, provided for you and you chose a man who contributed to your birth but then find it necessary to stay in close contact with you..
Do you really need to post this on the Internet so everyone can tell you that "yes you are too blame"? SHAME ON YOU. A man who by ur words had been more of a father than the biological father (aka sperm donor). U said you don't see him often, that is because he moved on with his life and a new family. I mean how dare the bio father even say/ask that of you. He can't take a picture with step Dad in it but had no problem letting this man Raise you, support you, and all that goes into raising a daughter.I get he's your dad but it sounds like he never got the meno or didn't care. Stepfather that cared for you and raised you for 20 years and this is the thanks he gets. I bet he never treated you any less or different cause you wasn't his biological kid. I'm truly sorry for his pain and confusion. I'll pray for you and your family. If your husband didn't know that you was or could be that cold hearted, he does now. Praying you grow up and are able to make it right. My heart breaks for your mother also but if my kid said that to their stepdad I would have walked away with him. Have your father and stepmom in the picture instead. SHAME ON YOU. You not only broke this man's heart you shattered it. Still can't believe your not sure if you are to blame. Never forget you broke up a 20 year marriage and lost your True father all over a man that never Really Cared about you to begin with. Praying you can somehow make this right with him.
Absolutely you are to blame. This man raised you and you totally threw him out for a man who could care less about you. This man gave you his heart and you threw it away in the garbage. As for your mother, she should have stood up and defended him against her ex and didn't. Your stepfather has every right to feel this way and do what he did. My heart goes out to him. You should be very ashamed of yourself.
Never raised by my biological father . I would see him often but not raised by him. When I got married my grandfather walk me down the isle . He and my grandmother raised me from the age of 2. They was my life and I was theirs. I personally believe God put us together because we needed each other. ( My mother was in an abusive relationship and didn't want me in the home) If the man her husband would abuse his kids what would he have done to me who wasn't his child. Your father should have not told you to choose between him and your stepfather. Instead your biological father should have thank him for raising you, loving you and protecting you. That man shown you who was your father. Just because your biological father is still alive. Doesn't mean he deserved to give you away. Where was he when you was growing up? Who really took care of you and gave you unconditional love? And yes you are to blame. This will always be with you.
Update; I would have had them both in the picture. I also would have told my Dad, he stepped in when you stepped out. So its up to you if you want to be in the picture but he is not going anywhere. You were worried about hurting the feelings the wrong man.
I think he is being a lil childish leaving his wife because of his stepdaughter. However you shouldn't have shun him in that way. Kids will kick a person to the curb thats been there the whole time over a part time person. You were trying to make your Father happy, but you have severly hurt your Dad because he is the one that raised you. Please remember that men do not have to choose to marry women with kids. Its a choice to take on another man's household and be that parental figure. Even if its a woman coming in and taking care of a man's kids and filling a households maternal need. We have to stop taking that for granted or there will be more single moms out there. Men will stop choosing US. Speaking as a woman with kids who is remarried.
Yes you are to blame and shame on you and those who let it happen have a miserable life little lady
I just don't get why people do this? Her dad was rarely in her life because he chose to rarely be in her life but oh when it came to such an important milestone that's when he wanted to be dad? Her stepdad was as much or if not the best male role model in her life thru all her good and bad and then she excludes him? That's so messed up. My children have 2 dads, their real and step and they told me when they get married they want both dads to walk them down the isle and both dads are absolutely okay with that.
Serve you damn right. You disrespected the stepfather who brought you up from the age of 8 for the deadbeat bio father. I hope he finds happiness with people who appreciate him.
Read the title folks: “My dad’s comfort comes first.” This woman is clueless and cold hearted. She came on a forum to get reassurance that she didn’t do anything wrong. You reap what you sow. I’m sure you were never grateful towards your stepfather and treated him like crap. Therefore, this act of disregard for his feelings was the last straw. You’re disgusting and cold!! I hope you’re proud of yourself for breaking his heart. Disgusting behavior
“Gently asked him to step aside” Cold and heartless. You lack Emotional IQ
You’re a piece of work. Your step father raised you and you ask him to step aside and eliminated him from the family photo?!? You are ungrateful and should do everything possible to beg for forgiveness! Grow up!!
Wow! You ditched the man that has 💯 been involved in your life. And you ask are you to blame! Any man can be a spe** donor, it takes a real man to be a Daddy! Your "step"dad stepped up to help raise you in every sense! The donor dad was more concerned about himself. You broke your step dad's heart
Yes you are to blame. Your father didn't care enough to even stay near you, he just up and moved away. All those things you needed a father for were taken care of by your stepdad. He did't have to step up ,you aren't even his child. But he was there for you all those years and how did you repay him. Your biological father was right. You only had one dad unfortunately for you it wasn't,'t him. He couldn't be bothered at the time. And he's even so selfish and jealous he would try to destroy your relationship with the only man who was ever a real father to you.You should find him and apologize from the depths of your soul.
Bridezilla was WRONG. She should have told real dad that both were in the pic or HE could leave. Personally real dad should not have been in the pic, or even at the wedding. He sounds like a spoiled baby. Absent for his daughter whole life, then wants to be daddy at the wedding.Nope
I think everyone is missing the point here this is a grown man that left his wife because something his stepdaughter did. why is he not being held accountable? yes she could have handled this differently but this is a grown man looking for an excuse to leave. her responsibility is to apologize but his responsibility was to stick it out with a marriage he committed to. doesn't seem like a real man or a real marriage for him to leave because of hurt feelings over a picture.
No your blaming the wrong person, sorry. This is on her, he was told to leave, he left. Maybe not.wjat she meant, but what she said.. actions, and words, have consequences
And the baby daddy who left, but demanded to be in the pics, is a REAL MAN?? No Bridezilla was wrong
He was probably hurt his wife did not stand up for him & accepted the status quo.
Yes, his wife allowed her daughter to treat him this way. Both women need to grovel and if he still says no, live with their mistake.
Totally....
That's what I think,the mom didnt have his back nor do she speak UP FOR HIM..HES NOT COMING BACK.Hes done.
His heart was broken.
I agree! Nailed it! I get him being hurt, but he's an adult. He could have talked to her about it. This girl was also.out in the spot...at her wedding. Dad's a dick for putting her in that spot. But step dad, really left his wife because his adult step daughter upset him? Sounds like he was ready to leave already. My step dad is my heart and soul, and im sure I've broke his heart a few times in our lives . But...he'd never ever just leave..especially not my mom!
I would leave too. His wife should have said something to back her husband. If my crappy daughter dod this and put her crappy dad first, I would leave with my husband.
The balls of these step kids to take from stepparents then treat them like crap. Thats why I will never treat a stepchild as mine. Zero involvement/investment in them. Let their patents take care of them thst way they never need to include me.
Same thing I said, that was childish. However it appears he was looking for his wife to back him up and she didnt so he left them all.
His wife was right there and must have known what was happening. If she didn't stand up for him she was just as bad as her daughter. They both showed him he wasn't important in their lives.
You are CRAZY, why would he choose to stay when it was made clear to him that he didn't matter AT ALL. The mother is just as culpable as the stepdaughter. How would you feel if everything you did for who you thought were your family was disregarded. If his wife was as committed (your word) as he actually was she would not have let him be humiliated and hurt. Maybe if you knew any REAL MEN (again, your words) you would have a better and bigger heart. So sad for you
The mother did not stand up for her hubby. The step daughter chose a man who was never in her light and publicly humiliated the man who stepped up and made her who she is.
I'm with you. It makes me wonder what the mom's response to all of this was. Maybe she's told the step-dad just to suck it up and invalidated his feelings. Maybe that was why she got included in the cutoff.
With what we were told we don't know.
The story is so sensational though, it reeks of being fake.
The mother didn't stick up for the husband either. Two selfish women in that house. It's evident he didn't count.
Hell no! Her mother, his wife, apparently didn’t do anything about it either because she 100% should’ve stopped that dead in its tracks! Her husband raised her daughter by another man yet he got treated like he had been around all along! She’s 27 now and he raised her since she was 8!
Do you think we know all details, like what his wife did as he was being dismissed?
His wife did nothing but stood by and let it happen why didn't she stand up for her husband say something she is just as bad as the daughter
Yes you are. You've devistate your mum.
Yes that man gave the best years of his life raising you and when if was time for you to have his back you told him to get out of the way.
I think you need to hear from a stepdad. So that being said I want to tell you that you and your stepdad are both in the wrong. I am a stepdad and had my daughter done to me what you did I would have stepped aside for the picture and I would have stepped away from you. But I would have never left my wife. Everytime you came over or we had a family get together I would not be there as long as you were present. After all you made it extremely painfully clear that I am not family.
So wrong that man is your father. My dad left my mom with 9 kids and my stepdad raised all of us never having his own.thats a real father
So wait a moment here, Your stepdad.. left his wife..because You upset him?
Him being upset is understandable, but he literally left his wife
She didnt back him up. You act like you wouldn't do something similar. If you ate at your MIL"s house and they talk s... about you and your husband says nothing. We say what a crappy spouse. Yet this wife does not side with her husband and he is wrong for seeing that. BS. There are no two ways. The wife needed to leave or stand with her husband. Afterall she expects the same in his house with his side of the family.
She did not have his back. They took him for granted.
She allowed her daughter to do it without a peep. Even if his stepdaughter was mean, that doesn't give his wife a pass.
His wife should have stood up for her husband
I will answer you from a 59 yr old woman raised by one man not her " real dad". He is the only man I have ever called my father. I never had his name. I named my son after him, my grandson carries his name.
He said something to me age 16 I never forgot..
He said he wasn't my dad but will always be there and love me as his own..when my mother died I was 22..he stood to that promise til the day he died..
That man is/was my father and no birth certificate no person can tell me different. He's the one who was there, who loved me..
You need to think about who was there who actually loved you and was your dad..
It wasn't the guy who was absent
Yes you hurt your father and he left..now what are you going to do about it?
Good for you, dear.
That was extremely messed up, I understand you want to value your time with your real father but newsflash, your dad left you and your mother while your step dad has been there for you and has raised you since you were A child to exclude him just for a man who left you is beyond cruel and If you were my step daughter I would never want to see you again because of the amount of pain you would have caused me
Think you could use some punctuation next time?
Snarky much?
🤣😂😆
You were unbelievably cruel.
The truth hurts. Use it to learn to be a better person.
Thank you for sharing your story, Marcia. It’s heartbreaking to see how a single moment at your wedding turned into such a deep rupture. You were caught between two men you love in very different ways, and the fallout is heavier than you ever imagined.
Here are four tips that could help you navigate this situation.
Recreate the Moment He Felt Erased


Her hubby might want to take a real look at what he just married.
- Situation: Your stepdad left after being excluded from the family photo, which symbolized belonging.
- Advice: Arrange a new photo session just for him and your mom — not a casual snapshot, but something formal and framed. Present it with a note: “This is the family I grew up with, and it’s incomplete without you.”
- Why it Matters: It directly rewrites the painful memory of that day with a new, permanent symbol of his place in your life.
Use His Own Words as the Bridge Back


You are so very ignorant,and stupid. That man was there for you. And of course you had to embarrass him. Well played yata.
- Situation: His note said he “never belonged” and “was never considered real family.”
- Advice: Quote those exact words in a message back to him, but flip them: “You gave your best years, and that’s why you are my real family. I failed to show it that day, but you’ve always been Dad to me.”
- Why it Matters: Meeting him at the exact pain point of his letter shows you listened and took his feelings seriously, not just brushed them aside.
Bring in a Third Party Who Knows His Value
- Situation: Right now he’s cutting contact with you and your mom.
- Advice: Ask someone he respects — maybe a close friend, relative, or even a longtime mentor — to reach out and tell him what his presence has meant to your family.
- Why it Matters: Sometimes hearing it from outside voices makes it harder for him to dismiss, and it reminds him that more than one person sees him as irreplaceable.
Give Him a Role That Only He Could Fill
- Situation: What hurt your stepdad most was feeling replaceable — like he wasn’t truly “Dad” to you.
- Advice: Create a role or tradition in your new married life that is reserved only for him. For example, ask him to be the first person to visit your new home, or make him godfather to a future child, or invite him to start a yearly tradition with you and your spouse.
- Why it Matters: This isn’t about fixing one bad photo — it’s about proving in a living, ongoing way that he holds a place no one else can take.
To add some brightness and positive vibes to your day, here are 10 Stories That Prove Kindness Is What Makes the World Go Round.
Comments
I'm sorry you were put in such a terrible position on your wedding day. I'm sure you just wanted your dad to be happy And I'm sure you're glad he was there since he hasn't been around much.and your step.Dad's probably always been there.So you didn't realize how this would affect him. Now is the time to find him so you can try to repair this. Did you do anything at your wedding to acknowledge his role in your life?Maybe he just felt really sad. I hope you can fix this for both your sake and your mom.
First I have to say thank God for all step parents that love and care for step kids , but the unfair thing is it's not easy once parents split and the custodial parent gets remarried the other parent can hardly compete with the step that lives in the same house it is just so unfair to everyone when parents have to split ... I think you had no harsh intentions by choosing your father over your step that is tough and I'm guessing a bit surprising and caught you off guard try and contact your step and explain what he means to you also and say your sorry . Have a great life
Also the non custodial parent can't help but feel jealous that a step gets to see there child every day and you don't it's just so unfair
As a step parent, I expect them my step children marry they would do picture with all of us together, pictures with their just mom and step-dad, pictures with just their dad and me, and pictures with just their mom and dad. Its not like you only take one picture at a wedding. What she did was definitely hurtful, but also step dad's reaction was a little extreme.

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