How to politely decline family help

Time travel hasn't been invented yet. You could say thank you for the offer and you appreciate it,but you would like to have someone else do it so she can enjoy the engagement. Im sorry i really don't know how to let her down either.

One way to go is to hand it over to a seamstress before she makes the offer to *you*. Then you could just say, "So sorry-- I didn't know..." Or, pretty much exactly what Ashley said, except I would swap "but" for "and". I'm a marital counselor, one thing I have to tell most couples is: "but" says, "OK, that first part was a lie-- here's the truth" whereas "and" says "here are two true facts". Consider the difference between "Honey, I love you, but sometimes I need time to myself" and "Honey, I love you-- and sometimes I need time to myself."

Ashley, I like your wording. I'm worried she will be offended or see it as me not trusting her skills.

Zoe, the "but vs. and" is really useful, thank you.

I'm going to talk to FH about it more tonight and see if he has any ideas.

Edited because I forgot things. Yay multitasking.

You could tell her thank you for the offer but you wouldn't want to expect that out of her and would rather her enjoy the planning process stress free or just explain to her that you wouldn't want to burden her with this. Most times honesty is the best policy if it comes from a great place.

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If you really trust she will do a good job, I would consider letting her do it. Sometimes grandmas just want to help and be involved in a few little things so they feel included and needed. Or if youre still uncomfortable with her doing it you could find a different smaller job less stressful for her to help with instead.

I actually don't think it's a bad idea to let her help. It'll help her feel included and important. This is what grandmas thrive on!!!!

Can you send the dress to a seamstress and have gradma make you a veil?

Veils are fairly easy to make so it's shouldn't stress her out while still keeping her involved

If you're worried about cost, then why not have her do it? Most likely for free...