Distinguishing family members

duffmaker

So we will be distinguishing our immediate family members, but I'm not sure where to draw the line. Both mine and FI's parents are divorced and FI's have been re-married since he was around 6 years old. My dad will be wearing a boutonniere and my mom will have a corsage but what do we do about FI's family? Only his biological parents get a bout and corsage, or should his stepdad and stepmom also wear them? I think they would, but I was curious as to what the proper etiquette is behind this.

ETA: Do I don't have to give my mom's boyfriend a bout do I? If they stay together by the time of our wedding then it'll make it 4 or 5 years, and most likely they will be engaged. ... I don't want to. Do I need to?

LittleMissCutiePie

You say that FI's parents remarried when he was six years old. Did these step parents have a large role in his upbringing? That's more what I would say the bouts and corsages symbolize. As such, you mother's boyfriend doesn't need one, as by the tone of your post (correct me if I'm wrong) it sounds like you two aren't close. Go with your gut. Give all the parents, bio and step, bouts and corsages. That's what I'd do.

pokepoke27

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_distinguishing-family-members?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:21c24964-298f-4165-b390-d8974f9fcc83Post:a0660057-2bfd-48b2-8e10-e635b860a29a">Distinguishing family members</a>:
[QUOTE]So we will be distinguishing our immediate family members, but I'm not sure where to draw the line. Both mine and FI's parents are divorced and FI's have been re-married since he was around 6 years old. My dad will be wearing a boutonniere and my mom will have a corsage but what do we do about FI's family? Only his biological parents get a bout and corsage, or should his stepdad and stepmom also wear them? I think they would, but I was curious as to what the proper etiquette is behind this. ETA: Do I don't have to give my mom's boyfriend a bout do I? If they stay together by the time of our wedding then it'll make it 4 or 5 years, and most likely they will be engaged. ... I don't want to. Do I need to?
Posted by clizh[/QUOTE]

<div>Holy mega-sig Batman!<div>
</div><div>Anyways, I would give both step parents a corsage or boutonniere. And honestly I'd give your mother's boyfriend one as well. It sounds like they've been in a relationship for quite a while now, and it would probably really hurt your mother's feelings if you were to exclude him. </div><div>
</div><div>Just think about it. FMIL, FSFIL, FFIL, FSMIL, FOB, and MOG are all wearing a flower - but your mother's boyfriend (that has been a part of her life for quite some time and who she obviously cares about) is left out. To me, it really is worth the extra flower to avoid any hurt feelings. </div><div>
</div><div>All of that aside, #3 of your four tickers tells me that you have just under two years until your wedding. That is a really long time for things to change. Heck - your mother <em>could</em> get engaged and married in that time frame. Then he'd be your Step-dad!</div></div>

melb2013

I agree that you have time to let your family dynamics sort themselves out.  If you are ever in doubt, just ask them what they would prefer- it's something that really isn't a big deal, so it's nice to extend that courtesy. 

bonge

You have a long time to go but you would be seriously offending your mom & his parents if you did not give their partners bouts/corsages as well. 

To me it was never a question & i am always baffled on here when others question it just because they do not like the person one of the parents is with. It is not your choice who your mom chooses to be with as her partner but i certainly would not want to upset her on purpose like that. 

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_distinguishing-family-members?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:21c24964-298f-4165-b390-d8974f9fcc83Post:5f33e7f5-39d0-474f-96bc-d77d67923806">Re: Distinguishing family members</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Distinguishing family members : Holy mega-sig Batman!
Posted by pokepoke27[/QUOTE]
7 images might be a new record for TK. o.o