My partner’s parents aren’t supportive: how can I help?
I’m incredibly close with my parents and they’re supportive of our wedding. The problem is that my partner’s parents have been the complete opposite of my parents. My biggest source of worry is that my mom and I always have lots of fun talking about wedding details, and I can tell she is hurting. How can I support my fiancee during our wedding planning?
How we decided which wedding traditions to uphold or scrap
Sorting through wedding traditions is a Sisyphean task. American wedding traditions are a conglomeration of hundreds of different cultures, not to mention the endless traditions from our individual backgrounds. Traditions, especially ones associated with major life events, connect us with our past, reinforce our cultural values, and hold our communities together. We want to make sure we include elements of both of our families’ cultures, but how do we figure out what to include and what not to include? Here’s how…
Lost ships: When election results strike fear in your wedding planning heart
It’s safe to say this recent election has brought increased tension to the (often already-dysfunctional) dynamics in many families throughout the nation. As the weeks go on, many of you (especially on the not-winning side of the election results) may now find yourselves feeling lost at sea in turbulent political and emotional waters. And if your shipmates in this metaphor are the family members with whom you most butt heads, it can feel like there’s mutiny afoot.
Oh, and all your seemingly-mutinous shipmates? They are invited to your upcoming wedding.
…Because sometimes you have a wedding day brawl (+ some wedding crasher tips!)
I’ve seen a lot of stuff photographing weddings, but brawls are a different story. This is not the story of that time I totaled my car on the way to a wedding or that time the groom spent the wedding day grabbing my assistant’s ass. This is the story of Meggen and Jake and their wedding day brawl.
OPEN THREAD: are there in-laws name alternatives instead of just “the in-laws?”
Monster in-laws, the evil in-laws… it’s absolutely true that society has demonized the term in-laws into something that isn’t exactly reflective of reality. I’m all for embracing terms with formerly negative connotation and reforming them with positivity, but sometimes it’s just not practical for daily use. Do any of you call your partner’s family by something other than the in-laws?
Kicking ’em out: how can we word our “zero argument” drama-free wedding rule?
We are no strangers to family and guest drama at weddings. Hell, we’ve got whole archives for family advice, family drama, and conflict resolution. People are people and people can bring the dramaz. You’re totally on the right path by nipping it in the bud early and diplomatically addressing the issue on your wedding website. Wedding websites are the best place to explain anything you want explained: dress codes, ceremony rituals, accommodations, and of course, any specific drama rules that you’ll be putting in place. Let’s talk about how to word it.