Who gets invited to what?!

I'd say especially for dress shopping - definitely go with who you want their opinion. I only brought my mom because I honestly didn't want the opinions of my 5 bridesmaids or any other family clouding my decision. My FMIL is lovely but we're not super close so I kept it a special moment with just my mom (I'm an only child and know how much it meant to her).

I'm right there with you girl! I have a very small family, my fiancés is huuuuge and of course he's the only son in his family; cue me getting steamrolled by his mum.. I'm wading through slowly and carefully, being polite while still doing things my way. When I went dress shopping, it was just me, my mother and my moh. His mother wants to be involved in everything, so I'm having my fiancé explain bit by bit that it isn't her wedding and that she needs to back up and wait to jump in until she's asked. I've found that giving her small tasks helps to keep her at bay, things like gathering names of family members on their side we may have missed in our preliminary sweep, I'll have her get addresses and such when the time comes as well. It's your day, it goes your way. That's the motto I'm going with haha If I want to do something with just my mum, then I will, simple as that. You're the bride, you have to make sure that you are 100% happy at the end of the day, if feelings get hurt when something doesn't go someone else's way, that isn't on you!

Well my FH is the only child so I will be asking his mom to come shopping with me - but it's whatever you want to do. I am trying to keep it small so I am having: My mom, dad, sister, FMIL, and that's about it. Trying to keep it small so I already know that I'm going to have to break the news to my Future Nana that she can't come with. To be fair I'm not inviting my own Baba either...

As for other things you could always go separately to find wedding shoes, veil, tiara etc. beforehand? Maybe go get your nails done before your wedding shower with your mom? Was there any other "events" like dress shopping that you were wondering who should normally get invited?

I totally understand that there's a fine line between having your wedding your way and being polite to your in-laws. I'm currently attempting to figure out how to include my MIL in dress shopping without upsetting my mother (she doesn't think MIL should be included). At the end of the day, I'm going to do what makes me and my FH happy.

You should absolutely still do things with just you and your mother tho, just pick and choose.

The basic "rule" of weddings is: it's your day; do what YOU want! If you just want to go dress shopping with your mom, that's great! If anyone asks, just tell them you want to have that special time with just your mom. Once you've chosen your dress, you can always take others back later to try it on for them.

Typically, involve your bridal party, any sisters, your mom, your fiance's mom in as many things as you want them to be involved in. Most people don't ask if they can join, but if they do, just let them know you're keeping it small.

I don't think you will hurt anyone's feelings! Just explain you want to keep some things a surprise for as many people as possible!