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HelloLove
Just Said Yes June 2019

Our First Look and fmil wants to ruin it (essentially)

HelloLove, on May 6, 2019 at 8:20 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 0 10
So, I've written a few posts about my FMIL and how controlling she is concerning my and FH's wedding. My FH and I really want to do a First Look. When we were going over our wedding day timeline with my FMIL, we told her about needing to make sure the groomsmen arrive at the church with enough time for us to do a First Look before the ceremony. After expressing her displeasure about a First Look not being "traditional" (FMIL, we're not doing a bouquet or garter toss either and I'm keeping my maiden name, so you knows there's a lot of things we're not being traditional about so this shouldn't come as a surprise 😂), she also expressed being upset when I said that the First Look will only consist of the bride, groom and our photographers. She basically told us that we're robbing the parents of that emotional moment when the groom sees his bride for the first time. After I explicitly told her how we were going to do it, she jokingly stated that she'll just have to talk to our photographers about that. Umm no, FMIL. First, you will not dictate to my vendors your desires for my wedding day, especially when my FH and I are paying for the photographers. Second, this wedding isn't about you!! Ugh. This was after she said she was going to request a cousin to videotape and take pictures of our ceremony and reception for her. And she acted all huffy and puffy then when I told her that we hired professional videographers and photographers for that!


Should my FH and I alert my photographers about my FMIL and her potential request? Our photographers are so awesome and we'll definitely follow our wishes! We already decided to do damage control concerning the cousin and my FH's cousin is completely reasonable and will be able to tell her no.


10 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on May 7, 2019 at 5:19 PM
  • S
    Devoted May 2019
    Sarah ·
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    If you think she's at all serious, I think you can reiterate with your photographers the plan for how you want it to go and that the only amendments are to be made by you or FH
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  • KiwiDerbyBride
    VIP May 2015
    KiwiDerbyBride ·
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    I’d absolutely tell your photographers. They’re experts in dealing with awkward guests and will be able to help ensure the day runs smoothly.
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  • Mandi
    Master October 2020
    Mandi ·
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    Yeah. Tell your photographers.
    That way when she uses the "the bride told me to let you know" they know shes being manipulative.
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  • Heather
    Expert April 2020
    Heather ·
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    Yikes. This makes me think that I should probably tell my photographers not to listen to my FMIL if she may have any requests (demands). But yeah, I would warn the photographers. My FMIL isn't necessarily happy we are doing a first look, but she isn't forcing anything. I hope she doesn't think she'll be at the first look with us either. My FMIL hasn't acted controlling yet, but she is very opinionated and has been encouraging me to make our reception more expensive (when my dad is paying for it, not her), but says I should have a state-side honeymoon because it's cheaper. Uhm, what? No thanks. You are almost there though! Just hang on and make sure to enjoy the wedding day!

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  • Sandicomm
    Dedicated May 2019
    Sandicomm ·
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    I just don’t understand why she can’t stand off to the side as the moment is happening...? Honestly, people are so weird. My FMIL had a whole shot list of formal family portraits she wanted to take and we explained we wouldn’t have the time or space to do that. So she told FH today that she wants to be in the group portraits for her in-laws’ table, her family’s table, and her friend’s table and now we’re both like “...Why? You’re not sitting at those tables?”
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  • Amber
    Devoted April 2022
    Amber ·
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    Yup! I’d absolutely tell your photographers and your Day Of Coordinator (if you have one) and maybe enlist a family member to distract her before you go to do the first look? Good luck!
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    Um, what? The parents need to see the guest look between you & your FH??? 🤔 Uh, no. Definitely warn your photographer. Seriously, I would consider not telling her where you’re doing your first look (or change your location if told her). She sounds like the kind of person who wouldn’t care because she’s determined to be involved even when you said no.
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  • Jeanelle
    Super September 2018
    Jeanelle ·
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    Yikes! we actually had our first look with our parents and best lady and best man watching so we could still share that moment with them.
    my mom does the dance to get a bit crazed especially when she’s around her sisters and gave our photographer warning and she did exercise some reinforcement of no requested photos. I really dislike how my mom takes tons of photos herself and doesn't live in the moment but it made her happy to have her own documentation. Unfortunately mom's will do what they want. (We had a very unconventional non traditional wedding and didn't give our parents much of what they asked for and it was tough.)

    In the end be polite and frame things differently so she can understand and don't share any other information or where the first look will be if you don't welcome her attendance.
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  • Lizbeth
    Devoted May 2020
    Lizbeth ·
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    Yes, i believe you should warn them about her. But just nod and smile honey, its your day, you do whatever you want!!!

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Yes, absolutely. If it were me, I'd alert all vendors about your FMIL and let them know she has no control/planning in the wedding so ignore any requests.

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