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The original was posted on /r/AmItheAsshole by /u/BridalPartyTattoos on 2023-10-07 11:26:32.
I (35F) married the love of my life (41M) over the summer in Palm Springs. Because it was going to be obscenely hot, we made the dress code cool and casual. For the bridal party, we opted for light colors, natural fabrics, and sleeveless dresses for the bridesmaids.
My husband and I are tattoo artists. Our friends come from careers where it's okay to be tatted. So of course everybody in the bridal party is inked.
One of my bridesmaids, Corrin, is a diehard Harry Potter fan and has a full sleeve themed around it. From where she was standing at the altar, everyone could see it. And honestly, no body cared except for my step-sister Kelly.
For background, my parents split when I was little. My dad recently remarried and his wife has two kids from a previous relationship. I'm not close to his wife or her kids as they've only been in my life for maybe two years at most.
Kelly is 17 and is into social justice causes. I don't have a problem with it as I'm also involved. However, her brand of social justice is "if I think it's offensive, then you're not allowed to have it anywhere where I can see it." Which is counterproductive if you ask me.
Kelly made a big stink about Corrin's tattoos and told me that she has to get them covered up. I told her that it's not going to happen for multiple reasons. Namely, if one bridesmaid has to cover up her tats then so does everybody else. Hiring a MUA who specializes in tattoo coverups will cost extra and given the weather, makeup will melt. And I'm not about to risk someone's health by making her wear a long-sleeved anything in triple degree desert heat.
Kelly whined about being excluded to my dad about it and he and his new wife are at my throat about this. His wife is pissed that I am treating her daughter this way and that I should be mindful now that we're all family now. I've known this woman for maybe two years now. Her daughter is a blip in the timeline that is my life. Given my dad's track record with women, she'll be out of my life just as fast.
Corrin has been in my life longer than Kelly has been alive. There is a reason why I had Corrin with me at the altar and not Kelly. AITA?
NTA - The love of art should be separated from the artist sometimes, and Harry Potter is definitely one of those cases. While JKR deserves whatever Kelly can throw at her, the story does not. You protected your friend, who is important to you. And this story is important to them. Your bridal party should be able to express themselves in their body art, especially when that's something you and your husband celebrate! It's your day, you should be able to celebrate it how you want.