Managing A Controlling Mother-In-Law During Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when you have a controlling mother-in-law who wants to take over. It's important to remember that you can't control your mother-in-law, but you can control your reactions to her. One way to handle the situation is to assign someone to 'deal' with her on the day, such as a wedding planner or bridesmaid. You could also try keeping her busy with a to-do list of tasks you don't mind her handling, or taking a step back from wedding planning and chatting with her to reset and plan your next steps.

Assign someone to 'deal' with her on the day

Assigning someone to deal with your mother-in-law on the day of your wedding is a good way to ensure that you can enjoy your day without any added stress. This could be your official wedding planner, maid of honour, bridesmaid or a suitable relative.

It's important to choose someone who is diplomatic and can redirect your mother-in-law if she tries to take control of a situation that isn't hers to control, like wedding photos. This person should be able to swoop in and distract her, or gently remind her that this is your day and that you have already made certain decisions.

You could also consider giving this person a to-do list of tasks that you are happy for your mother-in-law to handle. This way, she will feel involved and the assigned person can redirect her towards these tasks if she starts to interfere with other aspects of the day.

It's a good idea to have a conversation with the person you choose for this role beforehand, so that they are aware of the potential issues and can be prepared for any problems that may arise. This will also give you the opportunity to discuss how you would like them to handle any difficult situations, and to make sure that they are comfortable with the responsibility.

Remember, at the end of the day, the best thing you can do is extend grace to your mother-in-law as much as possible. You can't control her, but you can control your reactions to her, and that's the secret to getting along with her.

Keep her busy with a to-do list

If your mother-in-law is difficult, you could assign someone to the task of 'dealing' with her on the big day. This could be your official wedding planner, maid of honour, bridesmaid or a suitable relative. This person could be on hand to redirect your mother-in-law if she tries to control a situation that shouldn't be in her control, like wedding photos.

One way to keep your mother-in-law busy is to give her a to-do list of things you don't mind her handling. Come up with a handful of tasks that you want her to do (and don't mind her doing them her way), ask her to take charge, and have her go after those things on the list. Hopefully, she will feel involved and get super passionate about those items and you can be free to focus on the things that matter.

You could also try taking a step back from chatting with your mother-in-law and doing any wedding planning at all. It may be helpful to put things on pause and clear your mind. Go for a long walk, take a relaxing bath, or just get comfy on the couch and watch your favourite TV show. When things are getting stressful, it can be helpful to take a break from all things wedding to reset and plan out your next steps. Try to map out exactly what’s going on.

Take a break from wedding planning

Wedding planning can be stressful, especially when dealing with a controlling mother-in-law. It's important to take a break and clear your mind when things get overwhelming. Here are some ways to do that:

Take a step back and pause any wedding planning for a while. This can help you reset and gain some perspective. Go for a long walk in nature, take a relaxing bath, or curl up on the couch with your favourite TV show. These activities can help you unwind and de-stress.

Another strategy is to involve your mother-in-law in a controlled way. Assign her tasks that you don't mind her handling and let her take charge. This can keep her busy and make her feel involved and valued. Hopefully, this will give you some breathing space to focus on the aspects of the wedding that are most important to you.

If you need to, ask your fiancé to step in and have a conversation with your mother-in-law. It's their mother, so they may be able to help mediate and find a solution that works for everyone. Alternatively, you can assign someone else to 'deal' with her on the big day, such as your wedding planner or a bridesmaid.

Remember, you can't control your mother-in-law, but you can control your reactions. Extending grace and trying to get along, even when it's difficult, can go a long way. Taking a break from wedding planning and focusing on self-care can help you approach the situation with a fresh mindset and renewed energy.

Ask your fiancé to help you find a solution

If your mother-in-law is trying to control your wedding planning, it's important to remember that you can't control her, but you can control your reactions to her. One way to do this is to assign someone to the task of 'dealing' with her on the big day. This could be your official wedding planner, maid of honour, bridesmaid or a suitable relative.

It's also a good idea to ask your fiancé to help you find a solution. They could get involved and have a conversation with you and your mother-in-law to put this tension to rest. If you'd rather handle the situation yourself, spend some time jotting down what you'd like to say to your mother-in-law. You could also try keeping her busy with a to-do list of things you don't mind her handling. Come up with a handful of tasks that you want her to do (and don't mind her doing them her way), ask her to take charge, and hopefully, she will feel involved and you can be free to focus on the things that matter.

If things are getting stressful, it can be helpful to take a break from all things wedding-related to reset and plan out your next steps. Try to map out exactly what's going on and take a step back from chatting with your mother-in-law and doing any wedding planning.

Don't involve her in the planning at all

If you don't want to involve your mother-in-law in your wedding planning, there are a few things you can do to keep her at bay. Firstly, you could assign someone to the task of 'dealing' with her on the big day. This could be your official wedding planner, maid of honour, bridesmaid or a suitable relative. This person can redirect her if she tries to control a situation that shouldn't be in her control, like wedding photos.

Another option is to keep her busy with a to-do list of things you don't mind her handling. Come up with a handful of tasks that you want her to do (and don't mind her doing them her way), ask her to take charge, and hopefully, she will feel involved and you can be free to focus on the things that matter.

If you'd rather not involve her at all, you could try taking a step back from chatting with her and doing any wedding planning. It may be helpful to put things on pause and clear your mind by going for a long walk, taking a relaxing bath, or just getting comfy on the couch and watching your favourite TV show. When things are getting stressful, it can be helpful to take a break from all things wedding-related to reset and plan out your next steps.

You could also ask your fiancé to help you find a solution or get involved in the conversation with your mother-in-law so you can put this tension to rest.

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