10/19/2026
Your families don’t have to like each other. They just have to get through one day together- your BIG day!
In part 2 of our series we’re talking about the family tension nobody puts on the vision board, and how to protect your day (and your sanity) before anyone walks in the venue.
🤯Your families don’t get along. Your wedding still can. We just need to plan a bit first
🤯Get on the same page first. Decide what matters to the two of you before anyone else weighs in. Your united front is the boundary.
🤯Each of you manages your own family. Your mom, your conversation. Their dad, their conversation. Nobody plays referee for the in-laws. Remember no means no
🤯Make the rules before the reception. Seating, photos, speeches, who stands where. Decide now, hand it to your planner, and nobody gets to improvise. You are only taking photos for about 1 hour- they only need to be near each other for a couple shots. Seating: separate tables are your friend and remember you are sitting for longer than you think
😉Let your planner be the” bad guy.” It’s literally what we are here for! We are always on your team and will happily tell anyone no (even if we don’t know already- someone comes up and says oh the couple said no but I wanted to check with and see. Yup its a no!)
🥰Check in with your body. Your nervous system will feel tension before your brain does. Feet on the floor, slow exhale, find your partner’s hand. Check in with each other every hour. Biggest tip for wedding day: hold you partners hadn- it not only helps you feel safe and secure but it physically connects you- spend the day with your person instead of a ballroom apart.
🥰Amend expectations. The goal is civil. Not healed. Not best friends. Civil. Everyone is reminded that this is you and your partner’s day. It’s okay to take a step back and take a moment- in fact we encourage it!
Planning a wedding with complicated family dynamics? Save this, send it to your partner, and reach out to Just Hitched Event Services | Wedding Planning & Coordination and Juliette Doyle LMFT CCTP for support before the big day.
Mental Health | Wedding Planning Tips | Complicated Family | Navigating family while planning | Ther