DS1 doesn't want to marry, having designated himself the "favorite uncle". We already gave him and his brothers what we spent on DD1's wedding several years ago. DS2 is paying for his own wedding himself. However as with any wedding there are a lot of little things and large things that need to be addressed so . . . . It is a headache with the seating plans and lower allowable numbers due to Covid. DS1 and FDIL said just let everyone sit where ever they want but any good hostess knows that will not work! You have to allocate seating to put people together who will be compatible. We have 60 people okayed by the restaurant for the patio reception then people kept RSVPing at the last moment and FDIL kept accepting them so the number was up to 64. 2 people cancelled so down to 62. I was able to seat everyone (restricted to 6 people/table and 6 tables so since she and DS1 have a "sweetheart table" to themselves we are good. She and DS1 are calling one couple that were not coming to ask them to try to come since they paid for 64 people! Apparently as the wedding grows closer the prospective bride and groom no longer understand the concept of a "LIMIT"! 
Now FDIL has been told by the church that we have to cut the number of attendees to 50! 2 people have cancelled, but still at 62 plus photographers, so now we have to ask some people not to attend the church service! I am leaving that up to the bride and groom. 
) The rehearsal is at 5pm Friday night. I have a nail appointment at 10:30 am that morning. I am going to get all the salad & fruit chopping done on Thursday. That means I also have to empty both refrigerators and make room for all the food on Thursday am. Friday night will have to package up all leftovers and parcel them out to both families. On Saturday I have a hair and makeup appointment courtesy of FDIL at 9 am. The wedding is at noon after which the wedding party will go away for the afternoon long photo session for the posed bridal pictures that no one will see again in this lifetime. After the church wedding we will load up the flower arrangements to take to the reception. Since there is another wedding 2 hours after ours, with their own floral arrangements, we might as well take ours to the reception to save some money. Then the left over family (not in the actual wedding party) will return to our house to eat rehearsal leftovers and rest(?) before getting ready in our evening attire for the reception. We need to be there early with the flower arrangements. I was going to go early to make sure the mirrors (left from DD1's wedding) are put under the flower arrangements on the tables, but I called the florist who has done all our stuff for 30 years and she said to drop them by the shop and she will take care of it. 
Since FDIL's sisters did all the favors and are going early to place them at the tables, I can just give them the name cards, and seating plan. I got coloring books, crayons, and puzzle books for the children instead of the handmade soaps, etc. the adults are getting. FDIL suggested this and it is a good idea. The hope is that these items will keep the children busy and out of everyone's way as they party. 
I plan to drink heavily during the 2 hour open bar to recover my sanity and do not want any grandchildren bothering me during that time. Since I did the table seating arrangements, my table will be in a galaxy far far away from the children's table. The three tables with their parents are grouped around the children's table as a buffer. 
so I set both appointments back to back. DD1 went with us. We had a great time. DD2 put on her shoes - 1" platform, 4" heels, she now barely came up to below my nose and I am not a tall woman. The first dress DD2 tried on was exactly what she had described to the stylist. Off the shoulder, sweetheart neckline, V shaped back, flaring skirt with a waistline that could be raised a bit to hide any incipient baby bulges (non-existent at this time - 16 weeks), and long sleeves. She looked lovely. It was perfect. On sale and decent price - OK we're done here . . . .
was admired then instantly dismissed by me as too expensive. By this time my knee hurt so I tottered back to the chairs by "our" fitting room, sat down and let the 3 of them have fun. Four more styles were triumphantly chosen by the girls and carried tenderly back to the fitting room by the stylist. 
She is not a happy camper. And we now have to set up our 5th wheel trail to bed down their family of 4. I thought they might be going to her folks who live a few miles away, but apparently they will be with us. One more item for my to do list. Because we all know what it means when your man tells you "We" have to get sleeping arrangements ready!
)and wanted to come back for another appointment but we found a dress that she loved and persuaded her to try it on then and there.
No, really?? Sounds like they think they are buying property that the seller doesn't really care if it sells or not. Who would accept such terms?
Do you have a "dating site" style application they have to fill out?
That is a Covid created switch, usually there are more invited to the wedding than the reception due to cost.
Don't crow too loudly, you have daughters!
True but there is no way I'm going to do all that Ridgetop is doing! My job is to provide an appropriate amount of money. I won't be doing table assignments and the like. And no way I'm paying for the expensive weddings I hear about. Fortunately my girls are fairly practical (knocking on wood they stay that way).Don't crow too loudly, you have daughters!
