Ugh. So FI's parents have made it clear they plan on paying for a big chunk of the wedding. They have never said how much or exactly what and it really has been stressing me out. So far they have put the deposits on the hall and the chapel. So this weekend we are taking them out to dinner to talk about it. I hate this subject and I dont want us to seem like we are just after their money...so I was thinking of typing up a spreadsheet with "expected" exspenses, how much they will cost and then a space for a name. I already know that FI and I will pay for my dress and acessories, the tux, the rehersal dinner and a few other things, so I will write our names by those...and then the rest we can go over with them and figure out. Does this sound like a "gentle" way to go about this?
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RSVP Date: May 1st
Re: The dreaded money subject
I love your spreadsheet idea. Not sure what you think about this but you might want your FI to give his parents a heads up that you plan on discussing the budget rather than dropping the bomb on them at dinner. Plus they may have some things to gather up to be prepared too!
Good Luck!
Wedding Bio
The money talk is the worst.
Good Luck.
Let us know how it goes.
As someone who will be a bride in 5 months, AND is a parent, I might even go a bit farther than your current plan.
I would list the items, then put a dollar "range".
In other words, photographer: $800-$1500, cake $200-$400, etc. You can't possibly put realistic prices on something that is 14 months away.
Were either of them involved in the choice of the hall?
Do they know how much it costs to feed X people?
And the last question, how much control will they allow you and your fiance to plan the wedding you want, including the number of people both of you want AND YOUR FAMILY needs to invite before yelling "ouch"? As you can tell by the number of posts I have, I've seen a lot of boards, and this..one..issue is one of the most "AAARRRRGHH moment" issues I've seen on many of the boards. I think it's fabulous when a set of parents is willing to pay so their child and future spouse can have a wonderful wedding. Most of the time with that financial outlay comes a significant amount of control over the "who,what,when,how" decisions.
So, as indelicate as it might be, before you are posting in 6-10 months about how you or your family are feeling slighted because of the control your fiance's parents have due to their financial outlay, make sure you bring this up.
The reception is the largest financial outlay. In respect to that, you may just ask them to pay for their guests, and you will figure out the rest, making sure their guest count, along with those for your family and friends will fit in the venue you have reserved. OR, they cover the food and the alcohol will be your expense, etc
Good luck. I think you are showing a great deal of thoughtfulness in the way you intend to address this.