What to do for my parents in light of my wedding?

Question

My parents and MIL have been AWESOME with planning my wedding. Literally awesome.

My dad has paid for everything, added extra people, etc etc (and this isn't cheap in light of the fact that he is also paying my college tuition).

My mom has been planning this whole thing since I have been in school and couldn't do much of it myself. She has also completely outdone herself. She is a BIG scrapbooker and artist and I told her I wanted to do a table that had some pics of me and my groom on it and she got REALLY into it and made personalized pens, hand-stamped the pages inside the guestbook to match the color theme, she even made a scrapbook of my fiance and I's interests (and little factoids about ourselves) complete with textured paper, pop-up decals, monograms...I was literally stunned (I was picturing something really low-key and she just completely went above and beyond my expectations).

So what can I do for my parents to show my gratitude? I want it to something personal and special (I'm a bit low on cash though so is there something I can make?)

I also want to do something for my MIL. She gave me $2,000 to put towards pictures and she has helped me make favors and she has just gotten really into the planning and stuff. Way more than I would have expected!

So help? Need ideas?

Answer 1

May not be much the way you see it but I'd have a locket made with her favorite picture of you and your betrothed that she took within. As for pa idk maybe a pocket watch with your wedding date inscribed. As for MIL IDK coz IDK what MIL is. Best wishes and congratulations to you and yours.

Answer 2

Maybe after the wedding, invite either both your parents and your MIL (or separately) and have them over for a Big Dinner where you tell them to sit back and relax, you have everything under control. I know my parents (especially my Mom) really enjoys it when I cook for them. Afterwards, everyone can gather together and look at Wedding Pictures, gifts, videos, etc and enjoy the time together.

Answer 3

I don't think it's the father's job to provide for their daughter, but I do think they do it because they love them and want to best for them. Should never be expected. (i know you aren't, i'm referring to the first comment made)  

There are lots of things that you can do to show gratitude. The biggest (and free) thing that you can do is make a speech during your wedding reception.  Let them all know during your speech how appreciative you are and how lucky you are to be marrying into such a loving family. This will really make them feel special and will let everyone know how much work they put into it!  That's all people really want. To let everyone know how hard they work and to be appreciated for it.  

Send them cards too! When you get time, go over and clean their house or car or something. lol. Or a nice homemade dinner. You don't have to spend any money. Just let them know how you feel by beating it in with words.

Answer 4

You could possibly return the favor and compile an album or scrapbook of photos of your parents' wedding, photos of them through the years, at your wedding, etc.  If you can find photos like that, it could be very sweet!

Also, you are very very lucky to have such loving and supportive parents!!!

And congrats!

Answer 5

its the job of a father to do all those things and pay your school tuition.

no need to go out of your way to thank them.

Answer 6

As the mom of 3 daughters (and the first soon to get married), I can tell you that the very best gift my husband and I can ever receive is special times spent with our family.  As your children get older and start their own lives, time together is even more precious (and rarer).

So that being said, in addition to a really touching handwritten thank-you card after the wedding to your parents and MIL,  invite them each over for a very special first meal (or cookout, or whatever) to your home as a married couple.  Sit and reminesce about your very special day and tell them once again how much you appreciate everything that they all did.  

I can truly attest as a parent, that we, at least,  don't need any more "stuff", so I feel there's no need to go out and buy them something to express your gratitude.  And if your parents are anything like us, they won't want you spending money on them - they know your financial situation and believe me, they aren't going to want you going out and spending money on them.   Time is the most precious gift.   If you want, buy them a small gift, but it isn't necessary.

Answer 7

my parents have been equally as generous as your parents seem to have been...  i have thought long and hard about what i could do for them in return.  i don't want to give them a picture frame with a pic of me and my fiancee/husband to be in it, because they are going to do that anyways.  we want to do something that we feel is really special to them.  and we thought about it, and took into consideration what my parents like and what they like to do; they go out to breakfast every sunday and always invite my fiancee and i to go along, so we decided that we are going to make a coupon book or something of the sorts, and take them out to breakfast 1 sunday a month for the next year.  also, in addition to that, my parents are huge waterford crystal collectors, and we are giving them waterford toasting flutes for them to use at the wedding, something special for them and then they have them forever.

my in-laws are paying for the rehearsal dinner and that is it (i am not complaining)...  my fiancee and i are also taking his parents out to a fancy dinner, and we will give them that as a "gift" at the rehearsal dinner and as part of my photography package, i am getting "parent albums", but I am not telling them about it (its the one part of the wedding my parents will let me pay for) and we are planning to take them out to dinner after we get the parent albums (which the photog said would be about 8 weeks just for that) and give them the parent album as a gift, in addition to dinner.  

some might think my idea is lame, but i am happy with what we have come up with, hope this helps.

good luck and congrats!

Answer 8

I know what you mean! My parents are great too!  I plan on writing on letter to my parents and new in-laws and having them placed on their table setting. Just to say thank you and make sure that they know they are appreciated.

I don't know how crafty you are...maybe you take after your mom. If you make jewelry you could make your mom and mom in-law a necklace or bracelet to wear at the wedding. OR make a collage of pictures of you with your parents thru the years and one for his parents.