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AHHH! freaking out! ..UPDATE

Aug07OFCbride Posted:

AHHH! freaking out! ..UPDATE

So I just talked to my mom (her and my step dad are paying for most of the wedding and we're sooo thankful for all of the help) and i brought up the topic of our OOT guests so she brought up the number of guests we are inviting and how many will probably actually come. I told her that the likelihood of all of FH's guests coming is REALLY really slim. My FH is from Alaska and none of his guests are from around here at all, they are all from Alaska, west coast (CA, WA, ID) and a few down south and we really don't think alot will be able to come but we sent them STDs as a courtesy. I have had preliminary conversations with my mom about this and she had an idea of how many we were looking at, but now she seems to think I was really unclear. Shes getting really frustrated and upset with me now bc I told her that we have to invite everyone we sent a save the date to bc it says 'formal invitation to follow' and she says essentially that if her and my step dad sit down and look at the numbers and come to a conclusion about what they think they can handle to pay for, we may not be able to send an invite to everyone we sent an STD to. I tried to explain the etiquette. She's not hearing it and she's really upset. Im freaking out. I feel horrible now bc i dont want to put a burden on my mom and step dad but I also know that I cant NOT invite ppl I sent STDs to!

I guess me and FH REALLY screwed ourselves over and should have been much more careful in deciding who to send STDs to, but I had no clue this issue was coming!! I think we had some major communication break down. She says we should have never sent out that many STDs to FH's fam and friends and only ppl he would definitely want to be there (on my side, we have a pretty small grp of ppl, all very close and all fam and all live nearby...fh's side, we invited some of his parents friends, some ppl that he hasnt seen in a while, i think we were a bit looser about but i kind of went from FMILs suggestions).

I don't know what to do now!


My mom says we need to give everyone over 18 a guest but I feel like she thinks its perfectly okay not to actually follow through to give an invite to everyone we sent STDs to. Now we're fighting essentially and I feel horrible bc shes super sensitive and thinks Im not being respectful of her and appreciative of all the help they are giving us....

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm caught up in the middle of it so sorry if this sounds like a dramatic response.
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ETA UPDATE:

So FH talked to his parents and went through their list of fam and friends, and they literally said they think only ones coming from their side out of like 80 something ppl is: them, FH's two bros, one of their wives, his best man and wife, and one of his friends as definites. only few others as maybes so I guess the whole going overboard on numbers is pretty unlikely (gotta admit, little scared theyre underestimating), which is good on one hand but I kinda feel sad for FH about such a small turn out from his side. He says hes okay with it and I hope he is. I was expecting my mom to be all relieved but now I think she feels bad bc she wants to make sure FH doesnt think it was all about $$$, she just wanted a clearer idea of #s so her and my step dad werent surprised. Oh well, we'll see what it really comes down to once we send invites out! Thanks for the advice tho girls, def helped calm me down and got us moving to talk to FH's parents.

Sidenote: FFIL doesn't sound too excited (understatement) about us getting married on LI. I guess bc theyve never been, they have this picture in their head like it will be downtown Manhattan! They have no clue OFC is a hidden gem down a back road, so quiet. K, rambling. Im done.
kahlua716 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

If you really don't think many of your FHs OOT guests will come- then it really shouldn't be an issue- right?

Good luck! Everything will work out in the end Hang in there- planning a wedding puts stress on ALL involved- I'm sure your mom is feeling bad about your little misunderstanding too.
Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)


Posted by kahlua716

If you really don't think many of your FHs OOT guests will come- then it really shouldn't be an issue- right?




This is kinda what I thought but tthis worries her bc you never REALLY know, do you? I mean we can guestimate who we THINK will come but ppl can surprise you! Especially some of his fam. They are up for adventure and travels. So although it seems really out of the way for his guests to come, my moms response has kind of got me worried the same thing..what if a majority does really come?
diva7531 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

Sorry to hear you are going thru this...I hope it all works out. Can you and FH afford to contribute more to the RH? I am not inviting ppl over 18 with a guest unless they are in a serious relationship. That seems to be the majority with most girls here. I agree with you that if you sent STD's you should follow up with an invite (i too think I sent mine out too fast!) Just maybe ask your mom, 'Would you rather your 19 yr old cousin bring flavor of the month, or your FH uncle com?' MAybe when she looks at it thru that perspective, it'll make more sense. Again, I hope you are able to talk to your mom nd everything works out.
mkc56 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

It will all work out. I know it seems really frustrating right now, I've had a ton of moments like this with my Mom throughout this whole process , but everyone will come together in the end and make it work.

Don't worry
Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

Unfortunately we don't have the money to contribute the way we would like to, to remedy this. Im looking at my FH's guests and now I see ppl I guess we shouldnt have sent STDs to but obviously its too late for that.

FHs parents arent helping at all and I would feel so uncomfortable approaching them about it.

My mom is so distressed over this now. I feel horrible I put her in this position bc I wasnt smart enough about it.
olivia30 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

What about putting in phone calls to those people you sent STD to? You can get an idea who is actually planning to come to your wedding from OOT and those who are not coming do not feel slighted because you gave them a call ahead of time. Mention that you will send announcements after the wedding with pics of the wedding. This is how FI and I handled OOT guests.
kahlua716 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)


Posted by Aug07OFCbride


Posted by kahlua716

If you really don't think many of your FHs OOT guests will come- then it really shouldn't be an issue- right?




This is kinda what I thought but tthis worries her bc you never REALLY know, do you? I mean we can guestimate who we THINK will come but ppl can surprise you! Especially some of his fam. They are up for adventure and travels. So although it seems really out of the way for his guests to come, my moms response has kind of got me worried the same thing..what if a majority does really come?



Very true---I agree- maybe you can help to pay for anyone over what your mom has decided is the max? Even if you pay for half their plate price, she may feel better about it.
gpurple Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

I would try to call a few people, GOOD IDEA

ITS AMAZING- I didn't know other people had the SAME PROBLEM

I SENT MY STD's out WAY TO FAST, to WAY too many guests as well....

I can relate.

My other solution... is to GET ANOTHER JOB ( for myself) LOL
Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)


Posted by olivia30

What about putting in phone calls to those people you sent STD to? You can get an idea who is actually planning to come to your wedding from OOT and those who are not coming do not feel slighted because you gave them a call ahead of time. Mention that you will send announcements after the wedding with pics of the wedding. This is how FI and I handled OOT guests.



this may be a good idea! so youre saying call OOT guests to get a good idea of how many will actually come instead of waitiing until after we send invites to see?

i wasn't sure what you meant about 'those who are not coming do not feel slighted because you gave them a call ahead of time.'
you mean to tell some ppl you wont be able to invite them?? im confused. sorry. my heads all messed up after all the arguing w/ mom.

soon2bmrsdunn Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

Can you and your FH (or his parents) offer to pay for the number of people over what your mom and stepdad can afford?

soon2bmrsdunn Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

Can you and your FH (or his parents) offer to pay for the number of people over what your mom and stepdad can afford?

Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)


Posted by soon2bmrsdunn

Can you and your FH (or his parents) offer to pay for the number of people over what your mom and stepdad can afford?



this would be another option! though i dont know how we'd afford to pay if a ton came over what parents are willing to pay! yikes.
gpurple Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

DOn't do anything yet.........

You still have a little time.....
Talk to FH more, and give i a few days to THINK....

I WISH I DID that before I went nuts and sent so many STDs

There may be an answer..... but don't make a rush decision....

PLUS- I REALLY BELIEVE a lot of people wind up not coming ( well, more than you think)

seems that way????
Cpt2007 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

I totally see where you are coming from. I also think your mom is off base on the guest thing for anyone over 18.

Our rule of thumb has been for guests: if the person we know has been in a serious relationship for more than 6 months, they get the guest spot for that person. if the person we know is not in a serious relationship and will only know me or FH at the wedding (and won't know anyone else) they get a guest spot. If the person we know is not in a serious relationship and will know others at the wedding (family, friends, etc) they do NOT get a guest spot. that may help to rule out quite a few.

But I also think it is a good idea to quietly inquire amongst your STD people who may or may not be planning on attending. Particularly the AK folks. I don't think it's rude to inquire at all.

don't worry. it will be ok in the end!
L&R Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

If you sent out STD, then I think it's only proper to send formal invites. I was sent a STD once and then wasn't invited to the wedding - it was weird, but ok because I didn't intend on going to the wedding anyway.

However, that doesn't mean you have to invite guests of single folk. I'm considering not inviting guests for those people I know are REALLY single (as I like to call them). And the main reason I'm planning on doing that is so that I CAN invite people I want (ie. family!).

Good luck! I'm sure it will all work out (that's what I keep telling myself!).
SoontobeMrsO Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

I had a lot of OOT guests on my side of the family. I also was worried that if they all came then I would go over my Max.

Before sending out and Invites, my parents called all OOT (overseas) guests just to get a feel of who was going to come and who was not. It turns out a lot of my OOT guests were unable to come.
I still sent out the invites to those guests even though I knew they were not going to come. The rest of my OOT guests that I was unable to send an invite I am just going to send an announcement after the wedding.

Take some time out, talk to your mother. Arguing over wedding issues just make wedding planning a drag.

Things will work out for you!
snydl40 Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

You can't not send out invites to certain peopke if you sent them STD's-it's not right-to be honest.

Everyone over 18 doesn't need to have a guest-unless it is a steady boyfriend/girlfriend.
Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! (kinda long)

Thanks so much for all of the feedback. It really did help calm me down a bit and give me some options!!!

So I talked (or I should say emailed) with my mom back and forth a bit since this whole thing blew up and she is ADAMANT on giving everyone over 18 a guest regardless of whether they're seriously dating or not, which I just dont think is reasonable! Why does she feel like that you ask? I dont know! but I can only guess its bc she doesnt want to deal with any of our family complaining about it. I feel like, let them blame ME, i dont care!! Why would you be willing to pay for randoms instead of cuttiing down guest list if youre concerned about numbers. This being said, she seems perfectly ok with me just not sending formal invites to ppl we sent the STDs to. Ugh... I don't get it and Im kinda mortified if we end up having to do that. I just dont think its right. I talked to FH and he is in same camp as mom in not thinking its a huge deal to not send them invites now ('people will understand....' yadda yadda yadda), but he also doesnt think we need to give everyone a guest.

Im going to try to find out which OOT guests actually plan to come, talk to FHs parents and just mention whats going on and see their response, they might prefer to help us out than to not have some of their guests come. Other than that, FH and I offered to pay for anyone over 100 guests. I havent heard back about this yet. We'll see what happens....I still feel lost and frustrated about it!

Aug07OFCbride Posted:

Re: AHHH! freaking out! ..UPDATE

bump for update

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