Clash of the TITANS..............

How did/do you get the families together - We've been engaged for a few months now - and haven't gotten the families together - I'm notorious for handeling difficult situations by ignoring them - and the FH probably forgot. They are 2 TOTALLY different types of people:

HIS - Group hugger types who are really small town in their views. All three siblings pretty much never left their town -

MINE - More aloof and reserved - a well traveled group. All three siblings live in different states.

Both sides have trouble understanding eachothers POV - they've already had 'bad blood' through me and FH dealing with the wedding / holidays / buying houses... both sides usually have different perspectives.

Now its been so long - I don't know how or if we should get them together. Both sides didn't care for the idea of an engagement party, dinner was discussed but my fam is never in one place at the same time.

What to do....
Yikes - this is a long one

I would suggest maybe having both sets of parent meet first so it's not to overwhelming.

And have the cosmo either way

Good luck with whatever you decide

about two to three months before we got engaged- knowing it was coming-- we had everyone over for a
'parental cocktail' party. We liked this idea cause me and FH were the hosts, and our parents could talk, eat and drink not argue over who picked up the tab at a restaurant, etc.

Why don't you set a date and invite everyone over.

actually pick neutral territory it works best - my FI's fmily is from the back woods of Pennslavania close to west Viriginia - and i am from and Upper middle class family from long island - Both me and fi do not live in the same state as our parents - my brothers do live at home

My Fi's parents had to go to Newport for a conference- we had them meet and take a mansion tour together - can mingle -but not forced to talk - thn they had dinner -it worked out better for everyone that way then one family visiting the other

sorry so long- but maybe fid some activity that they could do or a short weekend place to meet - makes it more interesting then just dinner to get your sblings there

i agree on finding a neutral place where a small group can meet with just you two - maybe the parents w/o siblings, or pick one or two of the more 'welcoming' siblings from each side to participate.

Whatever you do, IMO it's important that they meet before the wedding festivities - shower, rehearsal dinner, etc.

Good luck, I bet it will flow just fine once it's underway. Make sure the cosmos are there!

You guys are seriously the BEST - thanks for all the suggestions