You are quite right on family sometimes not being able to see past their own preferences - well, that's the continuing story with me and Diane, really, for all we do love each other and all we've done better the past year or so. And at the same time, I couldn't not invite them to at least the first round. That last one you liked really did get Mum going on a different direction, thankfully, and by the time we finished supper, she was very enthusiastic about something like that.
Right. I'll get on to both Joosh and Fairchild tomorrow, and see if I can arrange to talk to them both next Tuesday. (May I say you made the suggestion to ask them both? I suspect it would help a good deal as a comparative bargaining position. Nothing beyond that, of course - I'd never put words in your mouth.)
As to your very delicate question - I didn't want to go into it while Diane was around, because she's being touchy about it, but I've no problems with your knowing privately.
What we eventually settled - my parents and Raz and I - is that they're paying for my robes, and he's handling near everything else. (And he's being stubborn about not letting me dip into my savings, but if the robes need to go above where I think my parents are comfortable, I'll make up the rest myself.) So in some ways, it costing a bit saves them some face, quietly. But at the same time, I've two younger sisters, and - well, mid-level Ministry salaries are what they are.
I'm quite clear that my robes - well, whatever they are, they're one of the major statements of the wedding. I knew going into this that would likely cost to get right. So - as much as today was a bit uncomfortable in places (I have not spent so long staring at myself in a mirror for at least a decade), it was very worthwhile, and I'm much more confident of having the right thing in the end.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Right. I'll get on to both Joosh and Fairchild tomorrow, and see if I can arrange to talk to them both next Tuesday. (May I say you made the suggestion to ask them both? I suspect it would help a good deal as a comparative bargaining position. Nothing beyond that, of course - I'd never put words in your mouth.)
As to your very delicate question - I didn't want to go into it while Diane was around, because she's being touchy about it, but I've no problems with your knowing privately.
What we eventually settled - my parents and Raz and I - is that they're paying for my robes, and he's handling near everything else. (And he's being stubborn about not letting me dip into my savings, but if the robes need to go above where I think my parents are comfortable, I'll make up the rest myself.) So in some ways, it costing a bit saves them some face, quietly. But at the same time, I've two younger sisters, and - well, mid-level Ministry salaries are what they are.
I'm quite clear that my robes - well, whatever they are, they're one of the major statements of the wedding. I knew going into this that would likely cost to get right. So - as much as today was a bit uncomfortable in places (I have not spent so long staring at myself in a mirror for at least a decade), it was very worthwhile, and I'm much more confident of having the right thing in the end.