Difficult Father

So I would just plan it yourself and not worry about him bc he’s only going to get worse

I would move forward with planning the wedding yourself with the money you have. It does not sound like you two will ever be on the same page and his money will most likely come with a lot of strings attached.

Unfortunately, I don't think that your father is going to ease up as planning progresses. If there is any way for you to pay for everything yourself, I think that's the only way you will get what you want.

I would try to pay for it without your father’s help. He will likely get more difficult and controlling as the planning process progresses. Not worth the stress.

This is not good. I think a lot of times when family (usually parents) help out financially, they become unbearable to deal with, or there are a lot of strings attached to their money. It sounds like you and your father are very different people, so this could mean a year or more of disagreeing, fighting, drama. You don't want this for your wedding.

If you really want to be free of this, I think the best thing you can do is to plan for you and FH to pay for your own wedding. It can be done. Lots of us are doing it ourselves. It mostly just takes time. See how much you can save each month, to put away for the wedding. Then start researching the most cost-effective options in each category (venue, catering, photography, decor, etc.), and go from there. You and FH will be much happier, and you won't have to be constantly butting heads with your dad. You can do it!!

Sorry to hear the troubles. I'd do as PpS mentioned and just plan with your own funds. It's going to be hard to work via someone else's schedule and time and money and desires. It's your wedding so you get to take control with whatever funds you have.

Agree with others that based on what you've shared, I would plan the wedding you and FH can afford without FOB's financial assistance or input. It sounds like you know all too well what you're setting yourselves up for with him; unless you want this to continue, and likely get worse, step away. A less expensive wedding you have complete control over will make you much happier in the long-run than one subsidized by someone who is going to attempt to control and bully you. You can have a simple ceremony and a cake & punch reception that makes you happy!

This will only get worse, not better. A lot of parents give money with strings attached but, here, you have more than just strings attached. He is using the money to bully you and make you cry. Don't let him. Plan and pay for your own wedding and then he won't have that power over you.

Oooh I feel you on a spiritual level! My dad was grumpy and judging while we were living together but not engaged- snide comments, disapproving looks when he visited us, growling- and he's always been a bit on the controlling side himself. So when we got engaged, I told my FH that my ONE stipulation was that my dad was not paying. Not for a single napkin. Because he would make it about him and think he gets to have opinions. I wanted this to be our day with our decisions, so we forged ahead with the plan that we would foot the bill.


I am telling you, it was wonderful to just be able to choose things ourselves. I'm very lucky because while I was paying off my student loans, my FH was stockpiling most of his salary. So my loans are paid off in record time because I had the money, but I have no savings. Then he has a nice stack saved that we're parceling out for a wedding with low stress. Not everyone has that luxury, but it's nice to just make decisions!
If he wants to gift you money, that's different. But a wedding within your means that you don't have to argue over is going to be my preference every time. If he wants to be involved, explain to him booking timeframes....but also note that we pretty much planned a wedding in two months for 7 months out. So unless you're getting married in January, you probably have some breathing room

I'm so sorry that is happening. I agree with everyone, try to pay for it yourselves however you can afford it. It may not be the wedding of your dreams, but no wedding is worth dealing with those comments and emotions from your dad.

If you haven’t mentioned “Christ” or “love” and he is still willing to pay, I wouldn’t worry too much. He probably wants to be involved but is expressing his disappointment in some of your choices. They are yours to make and that’s completely fine but if you do expect him to pay you have to go according to his timeline. Otherwise, unfortunately, pay it yourself if you can’t wait.