So this weekend Jeff and I are going back out to the Laurel Highlands/Westmoreland County area in order to view two more venues. This time we're going to go look at Scenic View (which has a lake and a relatively nice looking lodge) and we're actually hoping to get inside of the Falling Water venue this time instead of just peeking in through the windows and cracks.
However this time we'll be going with my FMIL and 11-year-old niece in tow. This worries me. They sort of invited themselves along on Mother's Day and both Jeff and I didn't have the heart to refuse. I mean there's really no fantastic reason as to why we should refuse. Is there? Now I'm slightly worried that the nearly constant poo-poohing that's been going on will taint Jeff and I's initial feelings about one or another venue. The other problem is that my FMIL has not seen the winery/resort that Jeff and I did and even if I drive her up to the location she will not get the full tour. Therefore she might start to tell us that we should pick one location over another without having as much information as we do. This is a point of concern for me. Especially now when I found out that she's been to see two venues without either Jeff or I going with her. Luckily she came to the conclusion on her own that they will not be suitable. Still, isn't this a decision for Jeff and I to make?
It also brings up another problem. My mother was not invited to go. And I have now spent the last two days trying to get a hold of her to take care of this possible situation. If I don't invite her, it will eventually come to her attention that my FMIL did go along without my mother also being given the opportunity. Of course this will result in all kinds of hurt feelings and awkwardness. So, therefore I'm trying to avoid that. There is the chance that she'll understand that I'm stuck with the extra carpool guests and not come, however, if I do invite her, she may come along and be yet one more unwanted opinion.
Yes, I'm already preparing myself for the very real possibility that my FMIL's opinion after this weekend will be unwanted. Not because she will necessarily be wrong or without good taste, but just not fully informed or concerned with the same aspects that Jeff and I are. Her goals for the venue are merely the number of chairs, air conditioning and bathrooms. Each are very important, yes, but they are not the sole goals that Jeff and I seek. At least we both semi agree on the all important dollar. Well almost, I'm the biggest cheapskate of the bunch which is why we're looking all the way out where we are.
I hate to say that in some ways my mother might actually be closer to being on my side for once. I think for the most part though lately she's trying to sit on the fence so as to not offend anyone, but if she's forced to choose, she has been picking my side. This is kind of a first for her and I. Mom has been better about listening to me and accepting that there are certain things that are important to me, such as the scenery, the vibe, etc. of a place. These are things that account for naught with my FILs. They are very much in favor of a very utilitarian wedding. Boo. This is my one and only wedding and I want it to be special and I'm determined not to make my wedding to Jeff feel like a dress rehearsal for something else. This is what happens when you're the daughter of someone who's been remarried as often as my mother.
I must sound terrible. I sound terrible to me just reading this. It's just that I'm really getting my heart set on something and it's important to me that people stop poo-poohing everything. It's my wedding, gosh darn it, and most importantly it's my money and future debt. It doesn't thrill me that everyone else wants their opinion counted twice while mine gets ignored or worse yet, trampled on. I understand that no one is expecting a fancy, frilly wedding. But did anyone consider that it's what I want? I want for my wedding to be memorable. I don't want my wedding to blend in with everyone else's that we know. So what if they all had their receptions in some white-walled reception hall? I want mine to have a connection with nature. So what if every other wedding you've gone to served crappy, tiny slices of cake. I don't plan to. Does that mean I shouldn't bother tasting cakes at all before I order it? I'd like to make sure that when it's smashed into my face it won't chip a tooth. And I definitely want to make sure that there isn't an image immortalizing the moment that I gag and spit up some nasty flavored cake. And just because you lack imagination and deem my idea of holding the wedding reception in a barn to be equivalent to your brother-in-law's body shop garage, doesn't actually make that true. Oh yes, we have been down that road in the venue discussion. So, poo-poohing has been a popular issue for me. Is it too much to ask that the poo-poohing wait until after I've formed my opinion? I'd like to have a decent head start on being able to defend myself.
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