I have three daughters, one got married in another state, so, we didn't help with that one, as I was unable to go anywhere at the time.
When they moved back to here, to Florida, I wanted to "re-do" their wedding, but hubby wouldn't play along.
Other two daughters, wanted something simple, but nice. We cut corners everywhere we could without losing the quality and ambience of the occasion. Cost was 3,000 a piece.
How can you have a wedding for that?
They bought their dresses, etc. long to short,...maybe it actually cost, 4.000 apiece, but me and hubby pd, the 3th.
One got married in her church, and we rented a hall for the reception. I made about 95% of the food, and we did all the cleaning, decorating, middle daughter made all flowers and arrangements, my brother took the pictures...really NICE pictures!...you name it, we did it, ourselves...me and hubby did most of that clean up! nearly killed myself.
Ok, middle daughter...same cost, different hall, more ppl, more food, more work, simpler decorating, but even more beautiful. Lots of white with splashes of color...gorgeous.
Ceremony was outside in a garden, co-worker did her pics...I made a gutload of food...crazy amount...borrowed dishes...she made all the flowers etc. we did all the set up, decorating, and this daughter and her new hubby, refused to leave mess with us, so helped us clean up. We had a time limit or would have to pay more money. I almost fell on my face, anyway!
My bottom line: TRY not to be sentimental over every little thing...it adds up. Price everything ahead, and draw up a budget!!!
Decide on a sensible amount of stuff you can do yourself, and accept all the dependable help you can get.
Confer, confer, confer, with your daughter, or someday in the future, she will say, her whole wedding was planned etc. by mother or others. One of mine did that one time too many, and I gave her the lowdown, on my take of it. Now she just says her sister took over. yes, she was bridezilla, and i asked her about everything, down to size of cheese cubes!
The week of both of these weddings...a year apart....i got so busy, and so wired...I wasn't eating properly, could only sleep 4 hours a night, and my thyroid went out of range, both times.
Don't kill yourself. I didn't have dependable help, so I did tons of it, myself. One daughter is grateful, one is full..... :mrgreen:
The more ppl involved in helping, if they are team players...all the better.
If they are strong personalities, that like to take charge, you'll have arguments, procrastinating, fights, crying, and insanity! Be careful who you let help!
Make sure they won't clash with bride, it will all come back on you, bc your the mother.
You could always run away. I was too naive and chicken.
Joking a little, but planning pares down the possible problems that could come up.
Take extra deodorant, tissues and panty hose to the church. ppl forget, and get runs, or they don't fit, and tension is high, when everyone wants it perfect and going to be on film.
Plan, plan, plan, and remember, that many have lived through it! :D