Wedding planning can stir up complicated family dynamics, emotional pressure, and strong opinions.

In today's episode, we talk honestly about navigating family expectations during your engagement. From financial contributions and blended families to estranged relationships, religion, tradition, and setting boundaries with well-meaning relatives, this episode offers reassurance and practical tools for protecting your peace.

You'll walk away with clear grounding affirmations, boundary-setting phrases, and permission to plan a wedding that reflects your values - not your family's expectations.

Personal affirmations that you can hold close in the coming months:

• We will never please everyone, and that's OK.
• I can lovingly hold boundaries with my _______ . (fill in the blank family member)
• Other peoples' emotions are not my responsibility.
• I am allowed to say no without explanation.
• I trust our wedding vision - we know what's right for our day.

Boundary-setting taglines to keep in your back pocket:

• Thanks — we'll think about it and let you know.
• We appreciate the suggestion, but we're going in a different direction.
• We already have a firm plan for that, but thanks for the idea!
• Let's circle back on that later.

And my Golden Rule when managing family input and expectations:

Over-explaining invites further conversation and negotiation. Short + sweet shuts it down.

To wrap up this week, I would LOVE to hear from you! Whether it's about a planning challenge or question you're facing, a post-wedding day recap that you'd like to share, or simply requests for upcoming show topics, you can be in touch any time by sending me an email - kara@karasvineyardwedding.com

PS - Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.

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