What's the best setting for the parents to meet?

I would go somewhere quiet, they will want to be able to talk.

Either way, you and your FH can find something to talk about, you could ask his parents to talk about something cute he did when he was little, or something like that.

Ohhh the joy of the first meeting. I think dinner would be good. I'm sure you all will have plenty to talk about You'll be surprised what parents will talk about, usually it involves embarrasing stories from your childhood.

Yeah you and FH just gotta keep the conversation flowing for them. I think a restaurant would be much better, or cooking a meal at your house for them would be really nice.

Why don't you just have dinner at home? Keep it casual and fun so that everyone's comfortable. Cooking always brings people together so send the boys out to the grill and have the ladies in the kitchen (i know that sounds sexist, but please, that's what ends up happening…) You may be surprised at how well everyone gets along. I swear my dad loves FH more then me and our moms are friends on Facebook.

I would do the restaurant over a home cooked meal.

If you make food at home, you may have to leave the two sets of parents alone while getting food or things from the kitchen. Plus, it is easier to get everyone to leave if things go less than ideally when you are at a restaurant.

Kimberly we thought about the home cooked meal but we didn't want to have one set of parents go through all the trouble, we prefer to do the restaurant, plus some people are not less comfortable when they're in someone else's home.

You're right Dani, it'll be easier and we want eveyone to be at ease. Thanks a bunch ladies.

I'm sure they'll have plenty to talk about but FH worries about quiet awkward moments.

Are you having an engagement party? That would be a good place plus if the conversation is not going well between them there are other people to talk to and things to do

@Sara, no we're not having an engagement party. That would've been perfect

I met my son-in-laws mother at the first venue we visited. She LOVED it, I HATED it. That told me all I needed to know. LOL! We are from two, totally different lifestyles.

Anyway, we visited the venue (thankfully not booked) and then went to lunch. Lunch was the (at that time) engaged couple, my ex and his wife (affectionately known as my "wife-in-law"), MOG, her mother and me. We actually had a fun time. After that lunch, all further meetings between us have been very tense and strained. UGH!

Just realized I didn't put in my two cents on what you should do.

I agree with you, bowling is not the right venue.

You should either go out for a meal, or invite them all over for dinner or a cocktail hour.

@Patricia, you said that if you had a home cooked meal, one set of parents would "go through all the trouble."

Are you both living with your parents?

If so, you could still do dinner, simply bring in a pizza, a salad and sit and chat.

LOL @Kathy, yes we both still live at home. Good thinking, I never thought about order in, silly me. I'll talk to FH, hopefully we will both come to an agreement, we want them to meet this weekend.

WOW! I am very glad I read this post. I hadnt even thought about the parents meeting. Now, I feel like an idiot. haha. Our mothers have met one time, for about 5 minutes. Our fathers have never met. Wow do i feel retarded. lol

Late lunch. ours met at one of the restaurants we really like & that's half way between both parents' houses. was a great summer afternoon & we got some great photo shots also.

I would recommend going out for a meal. A late Saturday lunch, or a Sunday brunch type thing. Weekend dinners at decent restaurants are usually more crowded and loud. I'd do something earlier in the day.

As for us, because they live in different states from each other- our parents will be meeting the day before (maybe even the day of) the wedding.

In a hospital room 2 days after fh had surgery! yep thats where my parents and his met he first time!

could you do a picnic at the park? that sounds like lotsa fun to me!

Thanks everyone, I think we're going to do a saturday night dinner, our parents have different schedules and the only time we can get them both together is saturday night. We've been trying for the longest, it's been almost impossible to figure out when everyone's available

I am glad I read this post, I am kind of worried about my parents meeting his. I doubt they have much in common and I am super nervous about what they are going to talk about. Atleast they love me!?