I NEED SOME INPUT.

momof386

My parents and I have NEVER been close. My step-mom has been more of a mom to me in the two years that I have known her than my own mom has. My fiance's parenst have just been so amazing to me and my kids. I would just LOVE to do something so special for them at our wedding to show everyone there just how much I appreciate all that they have done for us. I would love any form of feed back that anyone can give me. It's also a surprise so my fiance doesn't even know that I'm planning this.

em01092

Well, I'm not really a fan of planning wedding stuff as a surprise from your FI, even though I think it's a sweet idea. It's his wedding too so I just feel he deserves to know what's going on. 

Are you inviting your mom? I too am not close with mine and haven't seen her since I was 8 (14 years ago), so needless to say she is not invited. If both moms will be there and you have a relationship with your mom, I would give them both mother flowers. Maybe you could ask your stepmom to do a reading or light a candle. Ditto for your FIs parents. You can also honor your and FIs parents in a special section in your program. 

kaitlyn&henry

We incorporated both mothers into our ceremony by giving them a rose as a thank you for everything. We had the priest read a beautiful bit about how the rose began as a bud that was nursed with love into a mature rose paralleling our lives under their motherly care. We walked the rose over to our fmil (me to his mom, my H to my mom) and gave them hugs and kisses.