I have a large family and they are all coming from a different state to our wedding. There will be about 50 people total for the rehearsal dinner and my FMIL is not cooperating. She thinks that only the bridal party should attend and has mentioned aboout having the dinner at her house (which is way too small for these guests) She does not want all these people and my parents have offered to help pay considering it's our family. I know that my FMIL is just being cheap. My fiance doesn't want to talk to her because he still lives at home with her and I'm afraid to tell her how I feel because I don't want to start WW3. We only have 7 more months until our wedding. This needsd to be resolved ASAP! Please help!
Typically, only those actually involved in the rehearsal (bride, groom, immediate family, bridal party and their spouses or significant others and the officiant) are invited to the rehearsal dinner. It's a nice gesture to invite the out of town guests but not necessary. It's your FMIL decision, sorry. She is hosting the event and she gets to choose the place and the guests. Please don't stress and ruin your wedding and future family relationships over this. Ask your parents to set up a dinner at the hotel the out of town guests are staying at or a nearby hotel and, after the rehearsal dinner, you could even make plans to meet them there for desert if you have the time. Please ask you mother not to offer to pay for her own family as this may be considered an insult by your FMIL.
Learn to pick your battles. Leave this alone and enjoy the wedding you've planned. Remember, this is all about celebrating love; focus on that. Top Wedding Questions Forum Moderator - "Write your sorrows in the sand, your blessings in stone".
Rehearsal Dinner Nightmare
