I posted on here about this a few weeks ago and a few of you were so kind to chime in.
But the dilemma isn't over and I'm torn.
We're getting married in 2014, and because we're Greek and are going to have a party that will last until the wee hours of the morning, we can't really find a place that won't kick us out at midnight or charge outrageously for extra hours - we want the peace of mind to leave when we want to. So we've decided to have our reception in a Greek church's large "banquet" hall. It is looking like they are doing a remodel and it will look very much like a hotel ballroom, so I'm really excited about it!
Now both FI and I go to DIFFERENT Greek churches, different from even the one where the reception will be. My parents (more so my stubborn mom) are guilt-tripping me into doing it at MY church, on the sentiment that it's been our church for 25 years. My FI has ruled out HIS church, as he doesn't care for the priest there and there's been drama that has soured him to the entire church. So FI & I spoke and spoke and laid everything out and just feel it makes more sense to keep everything in one place and have our ceremony at the same place our reception will be.
Taking sentiments and emotions out of it, this is why it makes more sense:
- A) We have a LOT of OOT guests who will most likely come...like upwards of 60 (and our guest list is around 250).
The hotels near the church have shuttles that bring guests to and from the church/reception hall. - C) Guests won't have to dilly-dally after the ceremony (Greeks are NOTORIOUS for dilly-dallying), then drive 20 minutes, and pick up McDonald's on the way because their hungry - whatever. They walk out of the church, over the to hall, have some appetizers, cocktails, and use the photobooth (which will likely only be there for a few hours and it won't be used much during dinner).
Really, I feel it just makes more sense. This church will be the church we will attend after we're married, the priest has been very caring and concerned, checking in with us every other week just to see how we're doing and how life is. We feel it's a perfect compromise for not doing it at our churches, and it's in Fort Lauderdale - which is the halfway point to where my church is and where his church is.
Well, I broke the news to my mom today and she went off in a tizzy. How this is the ONE thing she asks from us, how could we place the comfort of our GUESTS over her/their wishes, that I really don't care what they want, how could I be so nonchalant about not doing it at the church I've grown up in - I mean reallyyyy laying it on thick.
She is a master at guilt trips and I really won't let her win on this one, because I feel that when taking the emotion out of it, it makes more sense overall, logistically. I'm trying to reiterate to her that we shouldn't be attached to a building, but to the people in it - in terms of the church. And the people we're attached to will go anywhere. So why should it matter WHICH church, so long as it is at a Greek church, and at the end of the day we'll be married.
How can I soothe her, smooth this out, and get her on board?