How To Include Everyone?

[Rainbow Brite]

I'm a very independent woman. I like to do things myself to make sure they're done right. But I learned early on in planning a wedding that you can't do it all yourself. So I've been pushing myself to ask for help. My sister-in-law graciously offered to be my "director" since I don't have a wedding party. So she's helping me script out the day, what happens when, who does what, etc and make sure things get done - which is a huge help. She'll also help me decorate and such the day of.

Then there's my mom. She desperately wants to help, but she leads a very busy, stress-filled life and I don't want to put anything more on her plate. At the same time though, I don't want her to feel that I'm excluding her. I'm her only daughter, so this is her only chance to play "mother of the bride" and I don't want to rob her of that. She did help me pick out my dress and attempted to help with my veil (although that idea didn't work out)...but I don't have a lot more for her to do, other than help decorate the day of.

My FH's mom is very thankful anytime I include her in decisions, but she's also in the middle of helping her daughter plan HER wedding, so again I don't want to be a burden.

And then I just realized today that I haven't included my step-mom in ANY of my planning thus far - and I feel really bad about it. Sure, she already had fun planning her own daughter's wedding a few years back - but I don't want to totally exclude her from mine. The main problem there is that she lives 2+ hours away and I rarely see her. And also don't want to offend MY mom by including my step-mom.

Some days I wish I could just do it all myself! :P

[WebLady]

If nothing else you could call and talk to your family about the wedding and ask for opinions on things (be careful though, you might get some you don't want); that might make them feel included.

What do you have left to do? Is there something little you could let someone help with?

Good luck :)

[FFC]

Try maybe asking her to help you during the wedding...? IE: to tend to the guest book and make sure everyone signs it. Pick out a sitter for any kids in attendance.

Just a couple ideas :)

[august8bride]

After the wedding I will have six SIL's and I want them to help in the wedding as like a bonding experience. So, I'm having a couple of craft parties before the wedding. Where I will invite all my SIL's to come and they can help put together the DIY's. Then at the cermony I don't want to do anything. I mean I'm doing all the planning on my wedding day I should be able to sit back and enjoy it so I'm passing out jobs to make sure that everything is done right. Like putting programs and fans on the chairs, making sure the reception hall looks good, and other jobs. You could even have someone be in charge of the cake.