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Just Said Yes May 2020

fmil Planned Rehearsal Dinner at a more expensive wedding Venue then actual wedding

ngraham21, on January 21, 2020 at 7:03 AM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 7

Hi everyone, some background. Our wedding is on May 24th 2020. My FH and I are paying for probably about 10,000 worth of our wedding ourselves, and my parents are paying for the rest. His parents have not asked to help out at all with the wedding financially, but have been adamant about doing the rehearsal dinner for us. Up until last week, as far as I knew we had already booked the rehearsal at a restaurant about 15 minutes from the venue and 5 from the hotel that my FH and I absolutely love. It was just what we had asked for, a casual and intimate space to relax with our closest family and friends before the wedding. I get a call last week from my FMIL that this place hasn't been answering her emails and calls in a timely manner (our wedding is over 4 months away why is she bugging them so much?) and that she does not want to do business with them. I am obviously disappointed, I loved this place, but fine if she wants to find another restaurant there is plenty in the area! Fast forward to yesterday, I get a text that they have booked an extremely expensive and nice wedding venue for the rehearsal dinner, without even asking me or my FH. This place is 30 minutes from our venue and 40 minutes from the hotel we booked. This is exactly what we didn't want. This is a ballroom and deck that is made to fit over 300 people, and we have 30 people going to the rehearsal. That is going to look ridiculous, and it not the intimate setting we wanted. I look at all the pictures, videos, and menu and realize this place is way fancier and nicer then my actual wedding venue. She is doing top tier food, and open bar the whole time. We don't have that at our actual wedding. I am super stressed out now that this rehearsal dinner is going to upstage my actual wedding and I feel like I have to compete with it. I have been putting in a ton of work for our wedding and I am just super confused why my FMIL wants to overshadow our wedding with this unnecessary second wedding, why cant we just have a low key rehearsal dinner. I don't think she has bad intentions, just wants to throw a great party, but I honestly feel like this is a waste of her money and is more for her than for me and my FH. Am I crazy or do most people have their rehearsal dinners in small rooms in restaurants? My FH is not happy but doesn't want to hurt his moms feelings, she is very excited. Am I in the right to say something? I don't want my wedding day to feel second best to this rehearsal dinner and that's how its feeling.

7 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on January 21, 2020 at 12:10 PM
  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    Here's my personal opinion and I hope I don't sound harsh. I say let them have this because ultimately it's not costing you or your fiance money. If this is their contribution to your wedding I don't think it's a bad one. I would more so see this anger if basically they overstepped your wedding day and made plans that you didn't want. The thing is that realistically being a bridal shower a bachelorette party or even a rehearsal dinner if someone is throwing it for you then really they kind of have a say in what goes on because they are spending their money. Maybe they feel a little bad that they have not contributed as much to your wedding. 3240 minutes is a little frustrating but it could be 2 hours away. One of my friends for her rehearsal dinner she make everyone pay their own way at the restaurant and then I've gone to nice restaurants where the father-in-law of the Bride pay a lot of money. I think each rehearsal is different. Some have elaborate rehearsal dinners and some have more chill. In my opinion you are going to have enough to worry about closer to your wedding I would not let this stress you and Jess appreciate what they did for you even if it's not exactly what you wanted.
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I personally think that it's rude to accept someone's offer to host a party for you and then dictate how they do it. If she hasn't put down a deposit yet, you could tell her that you were hoping for something more casual and intimate, similar to the original location. If she's already put money down, I wouldn't expect her to eat the cost.

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  • Marné
    Dedicated February 2020
    Marné ·
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    This is a rough situation. I would say ultimately just let her have it. It's not costing you anything and you'll still have a nice time with fiends and family. Even if the rehearsal dinner is "nicer" than the wedding, i don't think that will overshadow your big day at all.
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  • Kathryn
    VIP August 2020
    Kathryn ·
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    I think she's attempting to show you how excited and thrilled she is by throwing you guys the best party. It sounds like, if they're comfy spending that kind of money, she wanted to treat you guys to something nice after all the stress of the wedding. I don't think you'll have to compete at all - this is clearly a very nice party, and the open bar will go over well probably. I think you should enjoy the treating and allow your fmil to take care of you guys for the night.


    You could explain to her that you wanted a quiet, intimate restaurant, but I also think she may have thought this was closer to what you asked. There won't be other patrons I'm assuming - just you guys enjoying a fancy meal. Doesn't get more quiet or intimate, especially given how loud some restaurants get! My point is, she may have thought you'd be thrilled with how she interpreted your requirements. I would let it go and enjoy some fancy food, especially because your fmil clearly put a lot of effort into planning already.
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  • Lena
    Devoted May 2021
    Lena ·
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    You're not spending your money. I think it'll just add to your wedding, enjoy it and don't stress about it Smiley smile

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  • Gen
    Champion June 2019
    Gen ·
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    Honestly just think of it as a way to treat your nearest and dearest to an extra special fancy night the day before the wedding! I don’t think it’ll upstage since most of your wedding guests won’t be there anyway. Take a deep breath and just try to appreciate how generous she’s being and try to enjoy the fancy evening you’re being treated to Smiley smile
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Your fiance needs to talk to his mother about her plans to have a fancier rehearsal dinner than the wedding. It's ridiculous. It's nice she is hosting but you guys can host a more casual one if she isn't willing to do so.

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