I need help luring my mother-in-law into my wedding
The title sounds really odd but maybe it made you click on the post.
Context: I’ve been with my boyfriend for a long time, but we both agree not to have the church wedding of my dreams until we can live on our own. We live at my mom’s place, very common in Mexico and on this economy.
About a month ago I told my boyfriend that I don’t care much for the legal aspect of weddings. (Here in Mexico, people frequently have what we call “civil weddings”, which is the courthouse, legal wedding, and we make it a different ceremony from the religious one in the church, complete with different decor and location and even a different wedding dress)
Anyway, I told him I care very little about such events, because I feel they’re completely un-romantic or glamorous or pretty at all. I simply don’t like those weddings much. That’s when he said that, if I care so little about that event, then let’s get legally married! Let’s be married by law until we can have the church wedding I want. I said yes.
Now, because of my beliefs, the “wedding-wedding” is the church one. This one is just paperwork. However, I do want my mom to be there, because this small ceremony is not without any importance. And well, if I invite my mom, then I want my mother-in-law to be there too.
HERE’S THE THING. I know I can tell my mom a couple days before: “hey. Can you do me a favor and turn up in this address at this time and day wearing a nice dress and not ask any questions?” And she will. The same might not be the case with my mother-in-law. So I’m wondering what to tell her to ensure she will turn up in time, even if it is to somewhere close to the courthouse and then we’ll escort her inside or something. (This particular courthouse is in the same building at a hospital. Very un-romantic)
We want it to be a surprise, and for it to stay a secret from everyone else.
Does anyone have ideas?