Question about filing jointly on tax return

My wife and I were married in September 2015. My wife is 21 and currently a college student and had only a part time job during the summer. I graduated this year, am 21, and lived with my father, and didn't work until September.

My wife's mother wants to claim her, and my father wants to claim me. But, my wife and I wanted to file jointly as that would increase our return, but doing so would make my father end up paying instead of a return.

I've read that if you file jointly it will invalidate the return of someone who claims you. But I also read, a couple can file jointly and still be claimed, as long as they file only to receive a refund of withheld taxes. I am not sure what that means. Can anyone explain this to me or give on advice on what the best course of action would be?

Thank you.