My mother had a thought the other day, which she was so kind to mention to me today. Now, two months after we've booked my wedding reception for 200 people, and they've put a downpayment on it, she suddenly had the idea that we could have had a small wedding, and then they'd have given us money towards a dp on a house.

She claimed, after I just about went postal on her, that I never mentioned anything about wanting a smaller wedding. So, my reluctance to book such a big place, and my squeamishness at the large # of guests she added to our guest list didn't give it away!!!!???? No, I did not outright say "why don't we have a smaller wedding, and then you can give us the rest of the money for a dp." I thought it would be rather rude to suggest that if it costs less than they budgeted, that they just give us the extra money. Sigh. I had such a hard time coming to terms with having a large wedding, it was a real struggle. But I had made my peace. But, now that's just been reopened, and I have to work on putting it back once again. There are times when I really hate money.