As Maid of Honor, what do I do about the rehearsal dinner "bow-quet" if a bride chooses not to have a bridal shower? No gifts = No ribbons?

That kind of thing is fairly normal. The prices you are quoting here are not out of hand. However, him wanting to spend less is kind of typical.

What I don't really like is how much his family is making decisions in your affairs. Why is that? Are they helping pay for the wedding?

If so, then they have some right to give you advice. If they are not, then it sounds to me like he is discussing you with them, and I would put a stop to it right away. Its really not about how much to spend.

Its about the way they seem to be making you feel like adding you to the family is not worth the expense. What does that even mean "its not worth getting a pretty dress"? Thats a rather unkind way of saying it.

At the same time, I am not sure "break it off" is the answer. For now, keep on planning. You need to make him understand that YOU are now his immediate family.

NOT them. In the end, its your wedding. If you want it posh, then wait until you have sever up the funds needed.

Your prices are certainly not overly extravagant…If his family is that intrusive in general, then my advice is to work that out, as I don't think you will be happy under their thumb.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.