Dear Wendyl,
I am getting married in three months and we were recently devastated to find that my mother-in-law only has a few weeks left to live. We wanted to bring the date forward so she could be there, but found we couldn’t make it happen with the reception and the number of people coming. We’re leaving the date where it is and hoping that by some miracle she stays alive long enough to enjoy the wedding. I was wondering if there was something we could do just with her so she would feel like she was part of it before she died. Do you have any ideas of what we could do?
Victoria, Howick
Dear Victoria,
I think this is a great idea and will make your mother-in-law feel very loved. Can I suggest that you have the actual marriage ceremony with your mother-in-law and close family anyway? Have a small family gathering and arrange your celebrant to be there and share this special moment with her. Then, later on, have your wedding as you planned and go through the same ceremony you were planning, but just you and your close family will know you actually already got married already. All you have to do is keep it secret for a few months. You never know – your mother-in-law might just last for the wedding celebration as well.
Send your questions to [[email protected]](mailto: [email protected]) or write to Agony Aunt, NZWW, PO Box 90119, Victoria St West, Auckland 1142
