I have a contest in the works regarding my actual wedding date, so I'm not up for saying much until the end of this month, but I remember what it was like when I was at the 5 weeks out state, and thought I'd offer some advice. By the way, you should all check out my contest in the Contest section of the boards.
First of all, it sounds like you and your bride to be are on the same page about having a wedding. So that's good. Weddings aren't for everybody, but we wanted a ceremony where our friends and family could attend, so we went the route of planning a wedding.
Mother in Law's can be a hassle. In my case, the mother-in-law to be was mellower during the planning stages than the bride. While everyone everywhere wants the perfect wedding, we are on a budget. Getting things done has been more about creativity than anything else. Your parents may get onto you as well about being the intermediary with whomever you are getting to do the rehearsal dinner. A logical person (and I'm not saying ANY member of ANY wedding party, sans you of course, is logical during this process) would think that the rehearsal dinner was a matter between the groom's parents and the caterer. For any indecisiveness on the part of your inherent responsibilities, I suggest stepping in, putting your food down on making a decision, and moving on. If they come to you to complain about something, they don't care enough about the outcome.
Above all else, make sure the bride is happy. This can involve calling wedding planners, mother in laws, your parents, etc. You are her man, and she will look to you to fix the headaches. Keep her happy, but keep her in check, too. You're kind of like a captain on a ship that you don't get to steer. Also, please keep in mind the point of the entire ceremony, the whole point of your wedding, is that at the end, you are married to your wife. As for the little things, ask yourself if it's worth the time or effort to confront them. Some cases it is, some it isn't.
I'd love to talk with you more in detail June 1st. Checking out my contest will make it clear why.
Good luck!
Bookmarks