Another end of the month, another YAWA! Yes, the name is growing on Christy. This month, we are answering more listener questions and as always - some of them have to do with family. Specifically, the sometimes sensitive topic of honoring step-parents, after the loss of a parent, or in the event that parent is estranged. We’ve got so much love for all of you that deal with tough family situations while wedding planning. You are not alone!

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Big Takeaways

When your talented friends offer to help at the wedding, how do you compensate them? How to plan your wedding in a stress-free way after your first wedding was WAY too stressful? Is a card an appropriate way to say thank you to your mom? I mean, it’s a lifetime of thank yous, right? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. And opinions. And advice. Also, some sympathy.

1 Email - “Friendors” (we agree that we need to do an entire episode on this topic)

Ask: “We have a lot of industry family and friends in Denver from floral to bartenders to dj's to chefs, artists from everything with graphic design to film set production, seamstress, photographers, etc , etc, etc... We very much appreciate all that has been offered to us, but we know that our friends aren't free.

In this sort of a situation, how do you compensate friends with still getting a deal but not insulting them?

2 Email - “Honoring Step-Dad”

Ask: I currently have no relationship with my father for his side of the family. In fact, I haven’t had a relationship with him in many years. Long story short, he left my mother for another woman when I was very young, and his new wife did not want him to have a relationship with my sister and I. Not really sure why, but he limited contact with my sister and I. Last time I saw him in person was about 8 years ago.

My question is, what are ways that I can help my mother and stepfather feel special that will help me get over the lack of my father‘s presence? I’m already having them walk me down the aisle together, and as I said, will be having a father daughter dance with my stepdad. Is there anything else that I can do?Thank you so much for reading this, and keep being amazing!

Email #3 “Need to know basis”

Ask: At the beginning, I had so much excitement for wedding planning. Now I’m starting to feel like I’m running on fumes. Wrangling calendars, getting buy in during decision making, and reaching out to new vendors is not easy to keep up with! Do you have any words of wisdom on how to re-capture the energy around planning? I don’t know how you ladies do it month after month! Haha :)

There is one other item I wanted to get some perspective on. Several things remaining on the to do list involve making decisions that will make impact other people. Examples include picking out bridesmaid dresses, deciding if we are all going to get our hair done (and who is paying for it), and who will be escorted to their seats as part of the ceremony vs who will be seated before the ceremony begin. Do you have any advice on how bride’s and grooms can approach communicating decisions once they have been made?

Links we referenced

http://modernloveevent.com

https://www.zola.com/bigwedding

www.patreon.com/thebigweddingplanningpodcast

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The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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