Divorced parents

It sounds like a very good idea to me - that way, people can get over any feelings about seeing each other again in a smaller, less emotionally charged gathering.

I would present it as a suggestion to them and see what the response is. If they really don't feel comfortable with spending time together, they may prefer just to have the one occasion, the wedding, and not meet up beforehand. But providing an option to meet up first is considerate.

I’m actually thinking something similar. I’m from down South but moved up North in 2008 and ending up staying up here. Met my fiance in 2016 and all his family are up here but my family are still down south. Because my family don’t really get to visit us up here much, our families have still never actually met!


I didn’t want our wedding to be the first time for meeting as I don’t want anyone to feel nervous or uncomfortable and I know it would add to my stress levels because I’d be constantly wanting to run round everyone and see if they were ok and getting on etc.
Fiancé and I are not really drinkers/party people so instead of separate hen and stag do’s we are thinking of having a joint do where we get my family up, hire somewhere for a meal, a few drinks and maybe some mini games or something to basically let them all meet and get to know each other and see how it goes.
If anyone doesn’t hit it off or anything negative happens, at least it’s out of the way before the wedding so people can hopefully just ignore each other on the day, instead or the drama happening on the wedding day itself 🤞🏻

I have the same situation! We’re doing an engagement party with friends and family to celebrate, very casual so hopefully no awkwardness. Maybe a dinner or drinks to get everyone chatting in the same room would be best

It took me straight back to my wedding planning. Between my parents, step-parents, and ex-step-parents, the family tree felt more like a web. What helped us was accepting that not everyone needs to bond deeply, they just need a calm first touchpoint. We did a low-pressure meet-up with food where no one was “hosting” emotionally, just sharing space. It sounds simple, but neutral ground really matters. I remember thinking how strange it was that the day was about love, yet carried so much shared history. That’s where expectations helped — I stopped hoping for warmth and aimed for courtesy. Funny enough, that mindset applies beyond weddings too; I even met my partner after years of complicated family dynamics through https://www.luvtime.com/local-hookup.html , when I wasn’t trying to force outcomes. Let the picnic be short, optional, and framed as practical, not symbolic. That alone can diffuse a lot.

It sounds like you’re thinking really carefully about everyone’s comfort, which is wise. A casual meetup like a picnic or shared meal can take a lot of the pressure off and give people a chance to feel more relaxed before the big day. Many families in similar situations find it helpful to have a neutral setting where conversation can flow naturally, rather than waiting for the wedding itself.

In situations where parents are divorced, especially when new partners are involved, it can be useful to have some guidance on navigating family dynamics. Services like Equitable Divorce in Ireland often highlight the importance of clear communication and setting expectations ahead of time, you can even click here to see how they suggest managing arrangements to reduce stress and misunderstandings. Knowing everyone’s position and being mindful of feelings can make the wedding day much smoother for all.

Planning a light, low-pressure gathering beforehand seems like a really practical step, and it might even turn into a fond memory for everyone, rather than a source of tension.