Hello fellow brides. I'm having a bit of difficulty beginning my time as a soon-to-be bride.
My FH and I have been together for seven years, and got engaged on New Year's Eve. My parents, who weren't very open to the idea at first, are now a little better. The thing that bothers me is that they (meaning my mother) feel that FH and I should live together first before we set a date for the wedding. She said that if we don't, that I shouldn't expect any kind of help from them for the wedding. FH's parents are quite the opposite. They were thrilled when we got engaged, and I talk to FMIL a lot about what I want to do with the wedding. It's very very hard for me to talk to my mom about ANYTHING wedding related, even when it doesn't pertain to me.
IMHO, I really don't see any real reason for us to live together first. We've been together SEVEN years. What else is there to figure out about each other?? Both of us are working, and I am starting nursing school in September and the wedding wouldn't be until at least next summer or following graduation in 2013.
So I'm asking for some advice. Do I go with my parents' wishes and try to live together? Do I follow my gut instinct and risk not getting anything from my family? I feel like this is just so unfair. HELP!