I've read a lot of people on this forum responding to discussion questions with "if she/he's paying for the wedding, you don't have a say in this/that, you can't do this/that"
TBH, I don't think that's true - while we do certainly have to be appreciative of parents or anyone that's paying for any part of the wedding, whether the be rehearsal brunch, catering, cake, or dress or whatnot, I don't agree when I hear the statement "you don't have a say if you aren't paying". Just because the person is paying, doesn't mean he/she gets a final say, or can do whatever they want. It's still the wedding of two people and the couples should get a partial say in their wedding. it's also totally okay to give advice/recommendations whether they paid or not but the decisions are ultimately bride and grooms. not just brides, not just mother in law's. Both bride and groom's.
Our parents gave us money to be used however we saw fit with no strings attached. That doesn’t mean that they are allowed to make executive decisions or call the shots in any way. At the end of the day it is still our wedding, not theirs. I've asked for advice and their thoughts and we have made decisions based on those and what we have envisioned but simply saying "if you don't pay, you don't get a say" is pretty far from what the whole day is about.
What does everyone think?