Over-rehearsed

Having the official one month countdown on the way, the nitty is starting to get very gritty to say the least. For the past 2 weeks, Mr. T and I have been going back and forth about what kind of dinner to have the day before the wedding. As we are having a registrar ceremony, there isn't going to be a formal ceremony rehearsal scheduled and we will be blitzing on flowers and decorations for as long as possible so it seems a luxury to allow ourselves (gasp) a sit-down meal.

My mother-in-law-to-be was lovely and offered to set up a backyard casserole dinner that evening, but I had real reservations about this. I was A) aware that we were lumping her with a wedding hangover BBQ on the Sunday after all the festivities, B) also aware that I would then NEVER LEAVE wedding HQ for any kind of break, C) concerned that, as lovely and wonderful as I find my MILTB, she does get easily stressed about things going smoothly, and D) having a slightly nostalgic feeling for the Chinese restaurant rehearsal dinners I've been to in the past. Mr. T was worried about the money and organising space for 30 people issues and very pro the 'mum' route, a perspective I can relate to. The back and forth has made me feel a bit like this, to be honest:

Finally, I've decided to put my foot down on this one and have an evening out with close friends and family before the big day. Mr. T is a superstar and is taking on all the arranging (bargain!) We are unable to fund the whole shebang, but are hoping that getting a fixed-price menu option for people and individual payment for drinks at the bar, this will be a reasonable option for those coming. Otherwise, I think it will be a pizza night!

On a related topic, how good an idea is a stress relief kit? I may be giving something like this to all my bestest gals!