Weddingbee boards

My parents have complained about the date, the size, and just about everything.  She is critical of my clothes in everyday life.  And the only thing she has done to help is to address the envelopes of the people she wants there.  When I have asked her to do other things, they haven't gotten done.  I asked my parents about helping pay, and they said they would, then they said they wouldn't, then finally with less than 2 months to go, finally did help.  (I bought the dress when I believed they weren't helping.  My mother is complaining that she didn't get to go dress shopping with me and that she hasn't seen the dress (currently getting altered).  My parents are also upset that their names weren't on the invitations, although I had told them I would put them on if they were helping, and they only agreed to help pay after I had printed them.  Of the 110-120 people we are having at the wedding, we invited about 25 people they wanted.  (They wanted about 100.)  Am I being unreasonable? 

To an extent,  I can understand your frustrations... and it sounds like they have no reason to complain about the invites since you told them what you were planning on doing if they weren't helping, and they were printed before they decided to contribute.

As far as the date and size go, all of those things are big things (usually) that are decided in the beginning of planning and can't usually be changed with only 2 months left so they should let it go. 

However, I'm surprised you didn't include your mom in your dress shopping.  Was it because they weren't going to contribute? Or was she initially not interested, and now all of a sudden she's upset she wasn't there?  Do you have pictures you could show her while she waits to see it in person?

I would try to include your parents in your planning more, even if they are frustrating you.  Even though it IS your day, it's usually a big day for parents too. 

I didn't include my mom because it would have made it more stressful.  I brought a supportive friend and later my sister.  My mother is so critical of my clothes and I knew when I finally found something I liked (which was hard) that she would criticize it and I wouldn't feel as good in it.  I was also upset because she and my father kept harrassing me to change the date, even though that was the only time we could get the priest and the church.

I'm sorry your parents are being so difficult. You are definitely not being the unreasonable one. It sounds like you were very clear (i.e., contribute = names on invitation) and they failed to deliver. Keep strong and enjoy *your* wedding.