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No I haven't dealth with this. I am sure he will at least attend the dinner portion of the reception? I assume.
I was raised in a VERY strict religious background like this, not Pentecostal but along those lines and this was common when I was growing up. Actually, my grandparents are still this religious and won't be attending our wedding because of this reason, well, that and the fact that my fiancee and I are living together before marriage.
There is sometimes no reasoning with people that have rigid beliefs, and honestly, if he thinks that is it wrong to attend the reception, do you really want to force the issue? I completely understand where you are coming from, but if this is his belief, you probably aren't going to change that.
I would plan the reception that you and your fiancee want and maybe invite his Dad out to dinner for a small celebration after the wedding sometime. I would also sit down with his Dad and find out upfront if he plans to come, and what you all could do to make him feel more comfortable. I'm so sorry that you are going through this, and best of luck!
You know what? Sometimes you can't please everyone. I understand this is a very important person (if my FFIL said he wouldn't attend I would be crushed) but a wedding is a reflection of YOU and your FI. As you said, you want a reception with drinks flowing and people dancing to "worldly music" (what might that be, by the way??). Once you actually do get engaged, sit down with your FFIL and explain your vision for your wedding. If he loves you and wants his son and FDIL to be happy, he will deal with it. It seems like this is kind of speculation by your FI at this point, so you really have no idea how he will actually react. Is your FI comfortable with the kind of reception you want? Maybe he can talk to his dad and explain how important it is to both of you that a.) he comes to the wedding, but also b.) that you stay true to yourselves. Good luck, I hope it all works out.
Since you say you like his father, he must be a fairly pleasant and reasonable man. Surely that means he'll be reasonable on this and at least come for dinner. My fiance's father is a Baptist preacher and does not drink, but has no problem with alcohol being at our reception.
Is his father performing your ceremony? How does the rest of the immediate family feel about this?
If you want to avoid the issue entirely, you could have a lunch reception. Instead of drinks, you could serve exotic ice teas and maybe have a harpist or something like that.
If you still really want a big evening reception with drinks and dancing and he won't budge, I would say go for it. Explain nicely that this is what the two of you want, and what your friends and family expect (especially if your family is making a substantial financial contribution), and you're very sorry he won't be able to come, but you understand his principles, and perhaps the three of you can have brunch the next day to celebrate. Yes, he is a very important person, but you can't cater your whole day to suit one person. Imagine if I served only tofu at my reception to accommodate my one vegan family member!
Another option might be to have a dry reception... and then a big afterparty? I have some friends who are religious, and they usually have a church wedding/reception... and then a festive afterparty at a club, for all of their friends.
oh i looveeee the quick responses ladies!! :) of course the computer shut off unexpectedly in the midst of my responding to you guys, so here goes another shot!
nurseheather, im REALLY sorry to hear that your grandparents wont be attending such a special and important day! that really makes me sad!! I wish and pray that they will come around eventually and come support your special day, bc I know i would be balling my eyes out on my day if my family did that to me bc of religious beliefs.
I think thats a fantastic idea about taking him out separately for brunch afterward (apparently there might be a few others from his side of the family that wouldnt attend either bc of this) so maybe we could do somethiing separate with them. The problem is is that C absolutely wants his father there, taking part in the reception, as do i. So who budges? I guess you all are right, what it will come down to would be what me and my man want for our special day...
EAQ219, so the "worldly music"....anything on the radio that isnt gospel...your rap, your R&B, your rock, your Top 40...anything that comes on in the bar that would have me hopping around and fist pumping after a few drinks!! hahahahaha...and you are totally right, this is earlllllyy speculation, FFIL could be so excited when we plan everything that it might not even be an issue and he might attend as if nothing were wrong! This is my man speculating on how stuff was when he was growing up as a child, so HOPEFULLY it wont be an issue!
Rhiannon, we have discussed him possibly performing the ceremony..as a matter of fact it was between him and my grandmother until my g-ma told me this weekend the no longer holds the licensing (or whatever was needed) to perform the ceremony...so now its definitely looking like it will be C's dad doing it...which will be wonderful! I also feel like if he is incorporated into the wedding, he might see how important it is for him (FOR US) to be at the reception as well.
I agree ladies, I cant accomodate everyone though!
Mr bee!!! thanks so much for your response! I was thinking about that too, after reading some of the posts of brides who are having morning weddings with lunch (dry)receptions and then a big party afterwards at night for everyone else! I think (if in fact this does become an issue with the planning) this will probably be the best bet (budget permitting!)
I haven't specifically dealt wtih this, but I understand there can be some sticky wickets when it comes to faith. I'm also curious if he'd be performing the ceremony.
1. You could try to accomodate him a bit. skip the cocktail hour, or have it nonalcoholic.. So he can safely come to the reception. But then he can leave as the music and drinks start flowing. If you have a cocktail hour, that might require him to come-go-come back-leave.
2. Also a lot of times people talk about a gap between the ceremony and reception. This could be a chance to have a light lunch reception, which can include dad, and then a bigger evening reception, perhaps without FFIL.
If he is this strict, do you know if other familt members are not OK with these things too? It might be something to consider.
Also, it sounds like these are pretty strong beliefs. I wouldn't take it personally if he decides not to attend. These are his beliefs. If someone engages in behavior he religiously disagreses with, I don't think it's fair to necessarily expect that he compromise his beliefs to attend. It would be a differnt story for him to not attend because he doesn't want to see an ex, or got cheated out of some money by the groom's father. But he's a pentecostal preacher. Apparently he really feels this is wrong. And while you are free not to share in his beliefs, I don't think he is just trying to be a stubborn jerk. It probably hurts him too.
Tanya, good idea about skipping cocktail hour...I was worried about the logistics as well, thinking he would just give up on the entire idea if there was going to be too much back and forth for him just to eat dinner. I am not sure if there are other family members who would be in the same position, but C says there could be.
I guess whats bothering me most is how upset my boy is going to be with the whole ordeal. I would be in shambles if my parents were choosing not to attend. The best thing would be for us to talk to his father once the time has come to actually discuss planning the reception.
Thanks everyone for your insight.
You could go with more of a traditional/approved wedding, then dinner, toasts, etc. Basically fit in all your "approved" wedding stuff up until a certain time. You could indicate on your invites that "cocktails and dancing starts at 9pm" so they know they can leave at a certain time if it clashes with their religious beliefs. This way the parents/family are there for what they want to be there for, as are the rest of your guests, but you still get a "party" and some music and fun.
What about instrumental music for dinnertime? I'm sure jazz is out, but classical instrumental (Bach!) has been around for EONS. Maybe that's a "safe" background music to play?
My heart really goes out to everyone in your situation. I try to respect religious beliefs as much as possible, but it's so frustrating when things like "dancing" is considered to be so horrendous that family won't go to another family member's wedding. It just breaks my heart. I'm not in this situation at all (i'm the opposite, my parents WANTED us to live together and everyone's very supportive of our long-distance-stay-with-each-other relationshp and stuff) but I moved from Cali to the midwest so I definitely see a lot of this in the Bible Belt if you will.
I think you need to have your FI float ideas by him and ask how he'd feel about different things that might pop up at your wedding. While you should respect his father's wishes, you also have your own, your FI's, and your family's wishes to think about. Everything you want cannot simply be brushed aside for one person's (albeit extreme IMO) beliefs. If he's really that traditional, this may be a common reaccurance (birthday parties, etc) and you can't have every single event in your life be dry and no music. You may have to accept at some point that he may miss milestones in your life and in his grandchildren's life because of this. You can't change everything to accomodate one person all the time
Are you getting married in a church? Is there a fellowship hall? What if you had the "cocktail hour" there? You could have sparkling grape juice or cider, a few hors d'oeuvres, and you could greet all your guests. You might consider serving your cake or a small cake there. Then you could have a big reception your-style wherever you wanted to. This might be a way to include FFIL in some of the festivity without forcing him to compromise his beliefs, or forcing yourselves to compromise your budget. Some of your older guests might appreciate it, too :)
Having gone to a very strict religious school from 1-12 grade, I knew alot like this..we wore uniforms too..T went to one also (Catholic). I knew some who didn't drink or dance either.
What my spiritual discussion with your stbFIL is this, if he is this kind of man, holds this kind of faith where he feels it's not good for him to drink, etc., WOULDN'T it be good for him to be an example to others? I mean, his attending but NOT drinking or dancing imho would be ok.
NOT attending says imho, that possibly the temptation is too strong or something..
Try this line of rationale with him and see where it goes.
Wow girl, you and I have parallel lives, seriously!
My FI's dad is a Pentacostal minister. We're having a secular ceremony. Talk about tension! But it's really important to him that his dad comes, so we kind of twisted his arm a little (sneaky!). We asked him if he would give the blessing at the start of the meals for the reception! So now he's ALL ABOUT being at the reception, and even if he gives a really long awkward blessing between every meal, he'll be there and FI will be happy. YAY! Maybe try asking him to participate in that way? He may be more open to coming if he can minister to the masses. You're giving him a platform to preach, and what minister would turn that down?
Mighty Sapphire that is a really good point! We thought about his officiating the ceremony but never about including him in the reception by blessing the food! That is an excellent idea! (Maybe he could bless the drinks too and then it wouldnt be so bad?!?!?!? HAHA im sick!!!)
Ejs you are totally right. I cant "dry" out all life events for one (again VERY important)person who doesnt accept dancing/drinking / people having a good time. And i also agree, I respect other people's religious beliefs, but i think he needs to realize that this is about me and his son spending the rest of our lives together and celebrating that with our family and friends. I think the dinner and toasts up to a certain time with dancing later in the evening is a wonderful idea.
amandopolis, my vision is to get married at a venue where the ceremony and reception can be done at the same place....so we will not be getting married in a church. on a side note with the older guests, between both of our families, my grandparents will be the oldest in attendance (my gpa is turning 80 tomorrow!) and they go to church religiously, BUT they also enjoy their drinks (i turn into the Mojito/ Rum and coke Maker when I go visit them lol ) and good music, so conversely they too will be expecting a lively reception...lol is this odd??? haha
bellenga, that is an excellent point. by him being there and NOT drinking/dancing while still enjoying being there and sharing in the moment with us would show that he is a strong man and comfortable within his religious beliefs, and a good role model for others who might be doing things he sees as less than acceptable. Heck, I already know I'm not gonna get crazy with the liquor on that night just so that i can completely take in the entire day...and also so that FFIL doesnt think his son is marrying a lush...lol
Thank you everyone for your insight! These suggestions and ideas will surely help me keep a rational mind and a cool head during the wedding planning.
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Hello Hive!!
So, I am a "soon to be engaged" bee (lol) but I am ALREADY having reception issues. My boyfriend and I had another one of our many talks about our wedding when he totally blindsided me with something. C's daddy is a Pentacostal preacher who is very religious and involved in the church, and due to the fact that he doesnt drink alcohol and doesnt listen to "worldly" music, C fears that his dad will not attend the reception. When he told me this, I wanted to cry for the mere fact that I intend to throw a reception that mirrors my personality....drinks flowing and music playing, surrounded by family and friends all dancing and having a good time. C has actually told me in the past, that his father wouldnt attend other family's wedding receptions if he knew that alcohol and worldly music would be playing. This scares me and makes me very upset. I know its only one day, and when you really think about it, all that matters is saying our vows in the midst of our family and loved ones and that the reception really isnt necessary, but on the other hand, it makes me upset just thinking that i might have to plan something that would NOT be my personality and that i wouldnt enjoy just to appease one (VERY IMPORTANT) person. I really like his dad A LOT so it just breaks my heart thinking that he wouldn't attend his own son's reception. Even C said he is worried about this, as he really isnt sure how his father will react. I told C that i find it kind of hard to believe that his dad wouldnt attend the reception because of this.
So what do you guys think? Has ANYONE else run into this problem???? I am really hoping that C's dad can deal, and put up with us for the few hours of the reception...
Also, does anyone have any ideas on alternative wedding receptions to where everyone will be comfortable and I wont be losing my mind?
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