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Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

MomNeedsTissues Posted:

Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

Sorry, long: I've been in teas and need to vent
Both my children are being married this year. My son’s is in July. My daughter and her FH along with my son and his FW were over this past weekend and while we all were sitting talking about the weddings, progress, ideas, etc, my son brought me up to speed on their plans.
My son and I live in upstate NY and I know things are done so different up here than on LI. But this is making my daughter and I nuts. Here goes:
All of our family/friends that will be attending the wedding will be coming from LI. They originally planned on an outdoor reception following the ceremony. That’s fine, but with keeping the weather in mind, they chose to relocate the reception to the local fire station, which holds 300 people.
They’re planning on an informal reception before the ceremony and then another formal reception after the ceremony. Now here's the plan:
? Get in your car and travel 4-5 hours to motel
? Get in your car to the informal reception 12 – 5 (BBQ will be served)
? Get in your car, go back to motel to get ready for the ceremony
? Get in your car and go to the ceremony (7pm)
? Get in your car and go to the formal reception (wedding cake, coffee, desserts will be served, and everything else that would go along with a traditional reception)
? Get in your car, go back to motel after reception
? Get in your car and head back home.

My daughter tried to explain the nonsense of this plan in a very tactful way. They say “it’s a way for the families to meet and get aquatinted” then if this is the case, why did his dad and I do an engagement party for them, which our family and friends traveled for and only 10 of her family show up. They say that all the information will be listed on the invitations. When we asked whose idea this was she said “my mom”. And they’re all for it.
We tried to bring all the concerns to accommodate our out of town guests to their attention, but they kept telling us “mom knows what she’s doing, this is what she wants”. Well whose day is it anyway? We also tried to explain that we have hair appointments, and his comment was “change the time”. I’m showering before I get my hair done and I refuse to break a sweat after that. It’s going to be nothing but a run around.
I have planned and organized the RD for Friday night, rented a tent to hold 30 people, (I can’t fit that many in my house) made my menu, food list, decorations, RD favors; and I’m doing a grooms cake because she doesn’t know what it is. Everything that I need to do is ½ way done. I’m hosting an open house on Saturday and Saturday night for the guests arriving a day earlier, and I’m also hosting a brunch Monday for the guests before they head back down to LI. I’ve got all my part under control and it makes all the sense in the world.
They don’t want to hear anything we have to suggest. Her mom is running the show. I know that its very different with a son getting married, the involvement mainly but after all, this is his day too. Not only the bride and her mom. If I have been 5% involved with this that’s a lot. I’ve been 110% involved with my daughters as well as her FMIL. Its our children getting married, not just our child.
I’m so upset over this plan it brings me to tears. This is supposed to be a very joyous day for me but instead I have a feeling of I can’t wait till its over. It’s totally sad.
Any suggestions and comments would be appreciated!


patti08 Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

You are in a very tough situation. Make sure you calmly voice your concerns to your son and future daughter in law so that you know you have been heard.

It's tough because it is their day. If they want to have so much going on it is their choice. It is you and the other guests choices as to how much of the day you or they will attend.

If this were a wedding I were invited to (traveling from LI) I'd probably skip the afternoons events and then show up for the ceremony and formal reception.

As the Mom of the groom I know that's not what you want to do so I grit my teeth as I say grin and bare it - it's your son's wedding and they are doing it the way they want to.

I hope they can hear your reasoning, it makes sense to me.
August2004 Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

I don't have any advice other than grin and bear it if they don't want to hear you. It is their wedding and as ridiculous as that plan seems, if that is what they want then let it be.
My experience with my wedding planning and my FMIL has been this: the more insistent she is that I do something, the more I don't want to do it. Maybe they will 'wisen up' about this as they did about their outdoor reception.

I do feel very sorry for you though
Jen_n_Dale Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

Honestly, that is a long day for EVERYBODY! to you mom!
butterfly20 Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

i agree that is a long day for everyone. its tough to voice your opinion when they are so set on their way.
engd4evr Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

Wow that is a long day but think of it as lengthening a very happy day rather than all the drives in the car. It looks like your son and FDIL want everyone to spend as much time as possible together on the wedding day.

Perhaps you can just attend part of the BBQ and head back to the motel early to get ready? Personally, I think a lot of the out of towners would skip the BBQ anyway.

CherylBooch Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues


Posted by engd4evr
Perhaps you can just attend part of the BBQ and head back to the motel early to get ready? Personally, I think a lot of the out of towners would skip the BBQ anyway.



My thoughts as well.
eroxgirl Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

Like most people have said, there's not much you can do but grin and bear it. To continually voice your unhappiness (is that the right word?) with the situation obviously isn't going to change their minds so instead of appearing 'difficult' I'd just suck it up. (and I completely agree that you have very valid points but if I were being thickheaded like your FDIL, that's how I'd label you)

Personally, I don't think I'd attend all receptions - that sounds like at LEAST an 8-10 hour affair, which is way too much for my taste. I'm sure some will skip it. I'm sorry I don't have any better advice for you, but IMHO your FDIL should realize that you will be part of her family soon and should take your feelings into consideration, as well as her mothers.
MomNeedsTissues Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

Thank you ladies for your opinions. You're all on the same track as myself.

this has been a nightmare from day one and I do have to grin and bear it, though I don't agree with any of it.

They keep saying their taking our OOT guests into consideration. It doesn't read that way to me. I voiced my opinion but hey, I'm only the grooms mom. And I'm done

Lets just pray that they'll come to their senses and realize that this is totally out in left field.

NYCMeghan Posted:

Re: Mom Sure Does Need Tissues

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I don't see what is so wrong with their plan. People can attend what they want and stay as short or as long a time as they would like. The OOTs can meet and greet all through the day and are covered on all food fronts, which I think is really nice. Just because this isnt a 'traditional' schedule doesn't make it wrong. Personally I think its a great way to make a fun event out of the wedding as opposed to a boring, traditional cookie cutter reception.

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