'AITA for refusing to let pals use my backyard for their wedding as they don't want me bringing my GF?'

A man is grappling with a difficult dilemma after his friends requested that he not bring his girlfriend to their wedding, which will be held at his home. 

The Reddit user owns a property complete with a lake and gazebo, where his friend Dave and Dave's fiancee, Kim, are planning to tie the knot.

The Original Poster (OP) had previously promised Dave that he would host the wedding at his house when he bought the property. However, the couple’s request to exclude OP’s girlfriend for the sake of his ex, Leslie, has left him feeling frustrated.

Man explains why his friends requested that he not bring his girlfriend

A Redditor, posting in the 'AmItheA**hole' (AITA) section under the username Long_Assistant8873, questioned whether they were wrong for refusing to let their friends use their backyard for a wedding because they didn’t want their ex to be invited. 

The OP began by explaining, "Here is the situation. Last summer, I bought my grandparents' house. This house was the hangout spot for my friends and I throughtout our childhood. This includes my friend 'Dave.'" 

The Redditor went on to describe the property, which includes a "sizable amount of land" with a "lake and a gazebo." 

He continued, "I was supposed to buy the house with my now ex-girlfriend ("Leslie"). But, going through the process of getting approved to buy, I found out that she has massive amounts of credit card and personal debt that she hide from me throughout our four years together. I decided to breakup as a result. That was about six months ago. I met Leslie because Dave's long-term girlfriend ("Kim") is Leslie's cousin."

The Redditor explained that Dave and Kim, who are engaged and planning their wedding in April, had asked if they could hold the ceremony at the gazebo, which the OP had agreed to. 

"In December, I started dating again. Leslie has not taken this well at all. She thinks we are going to get back together and has tried multiple times to make that happen," the OP shared and added, "I have told her in no uncertain terms that isn't happening." 

The OP then mentioned that Dave and Kim had asked him not to bring a plus-one to the wedding "for Leslie’s sake," which he found unreasonable. "This wedding is happening at my house, using my land, and I am not allowed to bring a date because of a crazy ex? If that is the case, then they need to find a new venue for the wedding. They are pissed about this given the short time frame of when the wedding is supposed ot happen. So, we are at an impasse. AITA?" he asked.

The Redditor clarified further, addressing potential concerns. "I am fully aware of the liability issues, which is why I purchased, and they reimbursed me for a "special event" insurance policy which will provide 100% coverage for any damges, claims, injuries, etc. to any of the property or persons up to $2M. It is one of the first things we did after I agreed to have the event in my home.." 

The OP then gave more details about the house: "The wedding will have a maximum, if every comes, of 75 guests, 5 catering staff, and 5 security staff. The house has hosted events twice this size and logistically it has been fine. On the property are two cottages, one with one bathroom and the other with two bathrooms. The only portion of my house that will not be locked during the wedding is the finished basement. The basement has two bathrooms."

Internet advises OP to cancel his friends' request for the wedding venue

After learning about OP's struggle with his friends' disagreement over not allowing his girlfriend to attend the wedding, several internet users have rallied behind him, offering their own suggestions and solutions.

A Redditor commented, "NTA. Its ur house, ur party, u can bring whoever u want. Their request is ridiculous."

A user said, "If you want to stay friends with Dave, don’t bring a date. But let Dave know that “hey buddy, I love you, but you owe me one on this”. And keep your distance from your ex. But either way, NTA."

A comment suggested, "Cancel being the venue, 99% certain you're not equipped for it. Toilets, insurance, alcohol permits, liability etc. Don't make it about your +1, make it about the paperwork.."

One user on Reddit said, "NTA Stand your ground and die on this hill!! The entitlement is real ... YOU BETTER BRING A DATE!! Or they can find another venue. Question... Are they even paying you?? And don't bring a gift even if they are."

A user on Reddit wrote, "NTA. Catering to an unreasonable (and possibly unhinged) ex, or her friends, only enables the unreasonable behavior. This is your home and your land."

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