A wedding is a special day for the bride and groom but unfortunately the excitement of the event often ends up including the family and friends of both sides in the planning process. With or without a wedding planner, chances are the parents or future in-laws will find a way to put in their two cents. However, there are steps you can take to guarantee that the final results of your wedding are to your liking and no one else’s.

If you know your parents or your future in-laws are the domineering, overbearing type, plan accordingly and be sure to communicate with your partner in order to work out any possible snags in your wedding plans. Whatever you both end up deciding on, make a vow to each other to stick to your original plans no matter what. If one partner ends up allowing for changes based on what a family member of friend suggests, this will weaken your wedding plans and subject it to anyone’s criticism. When you both stand firm that you plan on doing things your way, it will make it more difficult for other to interject their own ideas of how you should plan your wedding. The more details you’re able to finalize, the better.

If you or your partner can’t seem to agree on everything, diffuse what could potentially be a disastrous situation by learning to compromise. For example, if your partner doesn’t quite agree to where the wedding is going to be held, compromise by allowing him/her to choose the menu and vice-versa. Or assign certain wedding planning areas to each other based on you and your partner’s skills and strengths.

This may be the hardest part but to avoid as much meddling as possible, keep your wedding plans to yourself. It’s okay to leak out some information like where the wedding is going to take place but other than that, keep all vital details to a minimum. The less your parents or in-laws know, the harder it will be for them to make suggestions or try to change your plans. One common area that couples find themselves at the mercy of is figuring out the number of guests to invite. If you have a feeling that your parents or in-laws may invite their own slew of guests, it will be important for you and your partner to address this situation early on in the planning process. Plan on having a small wedding? Then stick to your guns. Figure out a way to talk to your parents and/or in-laws about your no extra guest policy. To smooth any harsh or hurt feelings, think about the possibility of holding a separate reception/celebration a few days after your actual wedding for all the guests that weren’t able to take part in the wedding. While it won’t be the same as watching the ceremony, it still allows your parents and in-laws to invite their friends, associates, or extended family members as well as your own friends.

One successful way to plan your wedding while keeping everyone in the loop is to host your own wedding blog or website. On your wedding invitations include a link to the site and encourage your guests to check in often. This will be the go-to destination to alert them of any changes, what to expect and to let them know how your planning process is going. While your parents and in-laws won’t be able to butt in, at least they’ll still feel like they are a part of the process.

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