I got engaged in April and am planning my wedding for July 2016. My mom has offered FI and me an amount of money to pay for our wedding, and will give the rest to us as a cushion in our newly married life. Before doing much research, FI and I thought we would aim to spend about half of what my mom offered to keep half for ourselves. Since I have actually started researching, it looks like the wedding that we want to have is going to be about 75% of what my mom offered, and now FI is saying we can't do that, but when I offer cheap suggestions (my local community center, courthouse, etc.) FI says his parents will scoff if we have our wedding at a community center. My response is that his parents need to help pay if that's the case.
(I know, if we're getting married, we should be adults and pay for it all ourselves. FI and I have both recently graduated from college and have no money saved up, and if we pay for it ourselves, we are in the same boat where we would be at the community center and his parents won't approve.)
Any tips on how to break it to the future in-laws that if they want us to have a fancy wedding, they're going to need to contribute?