Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Lau’Ren
Dedicated August 2020

Are we asking for too much family help! (long)

Lau’Ren, on January 3, 2020 at 9:08 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 16
Didn’t know where else would be best to post this but I’m unsure if my plan is bad etiquette . Hoping you all can offer some advice before I ask. We are having a ceremony in a public garden in a major city about 45 mins away. We unfortunately have to rent chairs from a private company. We decided to do pick up since that’s cheapest ($25) for 20 chairs. The other option for the travel fee alone would be $150 to our location so we kicked that idea to the curb. I’m thinking of asking my FMIL to borrow her truck Friday night to pick up the chairs for our Saturday wedding and then having her drive to our ceremony venue where my fiances 2 best friends (1 is officiating the wedding for us) will unpack and set them up. His mom can than drive like normal to the reception venue (has free valet) and home like normal. Monday she would need to drop them back off but the employees have agreed to unpack them upon her arrival.


Our friend that is officiating we would be asking to also help with unpacking the 20 chairs and setting them up. So we would be asking these 3 people (mom, best friend and officiant) to arrive an hour earlier.
I would also be asking my mom to drive me to the first look location and drop my fiancé off back at the ceremony space after. We would also be asking her to press play on our reception music, since we have no DJ.
Im also asking my bestfriend to do my hair (paying her) and my grandmother to set up our reception venue (minimal decor, private space in a restaurant). Everyone has a role, small yet important but I’m just not sure how else to do these things. I don’t come from a super big family so I don’t know if it’s normal to ask for help from family in weddings like this? I was told to get a DOC but she would only help with reception site set up and turning on the music. We still need a driver to and from the first look, a way to get the chairs to the ceremony and set up and I also still need my hair done.
HELP!

16 Comments

Latest activity by Caitlin, on January 7, 2020 at 2:26 AM
  • gratia01
    Devoted January 2021
    gratia01 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    This doesn't sound unreasonable to me at all! I'm having my family/friends help me with EVERYTHING because I know they're super happy to be a part of it plus it saves so much money not hiring people to do all that stuff! The only part of this that sounds iffy is asking you FMIL to drive the chairs around. Would it be possible to have one of the friends to trade vehicles with mom and pick up/drop off the chairs? I'm just thinking this is a huge day for his mom too and she's going to want to enjoy herself as much as possible. If she is willing though, not a big deal.

    • Reply
  • L
    Super October 2020
    Leslie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I ran into the same situation with the public park and chairs. (I went different direction). But I was going to ask a friend who wasn’t standing up to receive chairs and set up. We were going to get a sign that had are names that we would keep so people knew right place. I would ask the restaurant if you can drop off decorations and they can put on table -or a friend. Relatives might be occupied with pictures etc. It’s your day and it will be special no matter who helps.

    • Reply
  • Rose
    Devoted August 2020
    Rose ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    My sister asked that me, my mom, and some of her friends set up her wedding/ reception. She did not have a bridal party. The morning of her wedding we had to set up the venue, all chairs, tables, linens and decor. It wasn’t a big deal we were happy to help.
    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Thanks so much! It feels good to know that I’m not asking for too much. I just don’t want anyone to feel like they are working or can’t enjoy themselves. My grandmother offered to help with decorating and my best friend offered to help with my hair since she always styles my hair for me so I don’t feel weird about that thankfully
    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Since we have no bridal party, I may ask a family member like FHs best friend and brother to arrive early to help with the chairs. June in Philadelphia is HOT and I don’t want FH sweating LOL! The restaurant is setting up the bar, tea lights (50% of the decor) and place settings. My grandma is only doing set up for pictures of us throughout the room, signage and more candles!
    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    I totally agree with the saving money part! I’m sure I’m overthinking it but I’m a type A worry wart Smiley sad My FMIL has 3 other cars so I may have my fiancé just pick the truck up and drive it to the venue with whoever will be helping him unpack. Unsure about drop off tho
    • Reply
  • Cassandra7
    Super August 2006
    Cassandra7 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Do not ask your friends and family to work your wedding. Have the wedding you can afford.

    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    It’s not really a money issue so I’m confused by your comment. Nobody is actually working during the ceremony or reception. I’m asking for help setting up chairs and pressing play on our playlist- which is before any of these events
    • Reply
  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Doesn’t sound like too much to me but maybe to some people. If I were you, when you ask them to help just make it very clear that they don’t HAVE to. Like “would you mind doing xyz? If that’ll be too difficult for you that’s fine, just let me know.” I feel like many people who are close to you may want to help out, but just make sure it’s clear that you’re just asking them a favor that they CAN say “no” to, and not that you’re just assigning them tasks
    • Reply
  • Savannah
    Savvy June 2020
    Savannah ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all! Definitely ask their opinions though! My family and friends loved and wanted to help in certain ways, but not so much in other ways. I was planning on doing diy flowers which I would’ve needed my moms help for and she ended up offering to pay the difference for a professional florist that way she didn’t have to stress about it and could enjoy being mother of the bride and all the getting ready stuff (we have an 11am ceremony so little time to prep). Good luck♥️
    • Reply
  • Cassandra7
    Super August 2006
    Cassandra7 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Don't ask anyone you love to do free what you would have to pay for otherwise? Let your friends and family be able to enjoy and rejoice at your wedding without responsibilities, even beforehand?

    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    That’s a very good point! That’s exactly what I plan to do. If they can’t or don’t want to I won’t make it a big deal and will see which services can be outsourced.
    • Reply
  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Yeah just make sure to make it clear to them that it’s no problem if they say no.


    I’d also get a thank you gift for each person who helps you out!
    • Reply
  • Lau’Ren
    Dedicated August 2020
    Lau’Ren ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Couldn’t agree more! Thank you
    • Reply
  • Andrea
    Master January 2021
    Andrea ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    For me, my auntie is more than happy to be our wedding photographer and my godfather is going to be our DJ. They are thrilled about it, as are we, and we're saving big $$$. My mom is buying most of the food and cake. My MOH offered to buy the favours. Etiquette goes out of the window when family offers to help. If they offer, why not? If you have that sort of relationship family where everyone usually comes together and pitches in for an event, what's the issue if that event is your wedding day, you know what I mean? Don't worry. Everything you've mentioned is pretty reasonable.

    • Reply
  • Caitlin
    Expert January 2021
    Caitlin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Doesnt sound unreasonable to me! it truly takes a village to make a wedding go smoothly (financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally). it is okay to ask others for help. after all, the day is about you and others need to help make it special for you and your partner!
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics