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Some Questions That Might Need Answering

Saturday, December 26th, 2009

Dear Ms. Etiquette,

I recently got engaged and I’m doing a lot of thinking about the upcoming wedding. I have a few questions. Okay, a lot of questions, about what’s considered proper wedding etiquette. I hope you don’t mind answering them for me; I’d feel much better knowing I’m handling situations in the right way.

Q: Do I send a wedding announcement and an invitation to everyone I know?

A: Certainly not. The announcements can go to everyone, including the newspapers, but the invitations only go to people you want at the wedding.

Q: Can I send wedding invites via email?

A: Even though many wedding traditions seem to have gone out the window in recent years, there are some time-honored traditions that remain. Sending real, physical, beautiful wedding invitations via snail mail is one of them.

Q: For financial reasons, I need to limit my wedding to 100 people. How do I invite some and not others? Where do I draw the line?

A: Sometimes it’s easier to limit the wedding to an even smaller number, such as family members and very close friends only than it is to limit it to 100. Start with the “must invites” and work outwards in your circle of people. It won’t hurt to send out invitations to those who live farther away when you know they won’t travel. Aunt Mabel will be tickled to have the invitation anyway.

Where it becomes fuzzier is with coworkers and those in the outer periphery of your circle. Depending on the circumstances, you may opt for honesty and tell those not invited that you had to limit your list to a small number because of budget constraints. This makes for fewer hurt feelings.

Q: I’ve heard we have a year to send thank you notes for the wedding gifts we’ll receive. Is this true?

A: Humph. Let me put it this way… I would be embarrassed for you if you sent me a thank you note for a gift I gave you 364 day ago. Keep on top of it. As soon as you get a gift, jot a nice note and send it. If you do it as the gifts come in, it won’t overwhelm you. Don’t even ask me about sending thank yous via email.

Q: I’m hoping my maid of honor will throw a shower for me. Will she automatically do this or should I ask her?

A: There is no written rule stating the maid of honor or any of your friends have to host a shower for you so if you have someone in mind, you’ll have to ask them. Before you put the burden on them, though, decide if they are really the right person for the job. Can they financially afford to do it? Are the dependable? Would they even like to do it?

Q: Can I invite people to my shower that I’m not inviting to the wedding?

A: No ma’am. The exception would be if it’s a workplace shower with a large number of employees or a shower back in your home town if that town is at least several hundred miles away.

Q: What about the rehearsal dinner? My soon-to-be husband’s parents are both remarried. Who pays? Who gets invited?

A: Traditionally, the groom’s parents pay for the rehearsal dinner, but this does not have to be so. His parents and step-parents may work out a combined hosting, or the bride and groom can pay for it themselves.

As far as who to invite, it should be all parents and step-parents, the wedding party and their significant others, any children you or your intended have, plus your siblings. After that, it’s up to you. If you have close family or friends from out of town who have flown in you can certainly invite them to the rehearsal dinner if it’s okay with the hosts.

Q: Truthfully, as far as wedding presents go, we’d rather receive cash than gifts because we’re saving for a down payment on a house. Is it acceptable to put a note in the wedding invitations or tell people?

A: No, no, no. It’s considered bad form to put any sort of note in a wedding invitation that mentions anything about gifts or gift registries. Get the word out to a close friend and a family member or two and ask them to spread the word. It is acceptable for them to let others know what you want.

Thank you for enlightening me, Ms. Etiquette. I believe you’ve answered all my questions regarding wedding etiquette.

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Beach Wedding Dresses

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Indeed, modern brides are truly lucky because today, weddings—no matter how unconventional are they—are socially accepted. One of the most popular themed weddings today is the beach wedding. And because of this popularity, more and more designers and bridal shops are offering a wide array of beach wedding dresses that brides—as well as grooms—can choose from.

What you need to know about beach wedding dresses:

Because of the popularity of beach weddings, beach wedding dresses have occupied a large number of racks in various bridal salons and stores. If you are one of those brides that are considering a beach wedding for her big day, you must familiarize yourself with everything about it first.

Usually, couples that are beach bums are the only ones who prefer beach wedding. This is because they would like the beach to be a special part of their union just like what it was during their dating stage. But today, even those who are not really into beach life can opt for this type of wedding if they want to. All they need to do is plan everything out carefully.

In a beach wedding, the major consideration is the venue or the beach itself. Since you will be inviting guests, it will be wiser to choose a nearby beach to save you and your guests from hassle in getting to the place. Also, it is best to choose a beach in a tropical country because the climate is warmer and better all throughout the year.

For brides, the next major consideration would be the attire. Here comes a variety of beach wedding dresses to choose from. In choosing beach wedding dresses, keep in mind that they should not be formal since the celebration itself has a casual mood. There is no need for full and formal skirts or elaborate headpieces. What is called for in this occasion are and sleek style—perfect for a beach backdrop. Ideal beach wedding dresses are those that have simple yet classes and elegant design. Here, minimalist look will work best since there is no need to over accessorize.

If you look in various bridal shops that offer beach wedding dresses, the staple designs would be strapless or tube, sleeveless, and halter. These beach wedding dresses are designed that way not only to show off the nice figure of the bride but also to give her utmost comfort during the rites. Most beach wedding dresses come in these styles but there are also variations in terms of length and body type of the bride.

When it comes to accessories, beach wedding dresses require very minimal and casual ones. In fact, compared to the gowns worn on traditional church weddings, beach wedding dresses don’t even require a veil. Since the overall feel of the theme is casual, you can choose dainty accessories such as a ring of flowers and use it as a hair band or barrettes that match your beach wedding dress and your other accessories.

For the hair, easygoing styles such as simple ponytail would do. For the footwear, there is also no need to wear high heels since it doesn’t match the dress and the location. Opt for dainty pair of flip-flops or sandals with soft and intricate straps. If you truly want an authentic feel of the beach, you can go barefoot. Just make sure that there are no stones in the sand so you won’t hurt your foot as you go your way.

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Posted in Before The Wedding, Bride, wedding dresses, wedding planning, wedding plans, wedding preparation, wedding theme | 4 Comments »

Don’t Forget To Get Your Sleep

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Planning your wedding is a big deal and can use up a lot of energy. If you’re going to married soon, you’re probably finding yourself running all over, and you might not be getting enough sleep. However, that’s a bad idea. There are lots of unfortunate side effects that come from not getting enough rest, and they could put a crimp in your plans for the big day. Let’s take a look at the reasons that brides need plenty of high quality sleep, especially the night before their weddings.

Did you know that sleep prevents disease? If you get less than the amount your body requires (and some of us need more than others) you’re putting yourself at risk for faster aging and more diseases. Sleep keeps your heart healthy, and can reduce your risk of cancer. It also helps you reduce your stress levels, since sleep deficiency elevates stress, raises blood pressure and increases muscle tension. Not enough sleep can result in aches and pains, as well as trouble getting through the day.

Get enough sleep before your wedding to be fully alert, capable of remembering everything you need to, and even help you with that last minute diet so many brides go on (just don’t do it after your alterations have been finished!) You’ll feel smarter and be happier, and your body will be in better shape. Skip the sleep, and you may find yourself feeling and looking exhausted before the big day even gets started!

Of course, some of us get so nervous that sleeping can be tricky, even if we make an effort to get enough. There are a few things you can do to help yourself sleep, even the night before. Don’t turn right to sedatives or other chemical sleep aids, though. Try changing your behavior first – it’s easier on your body.

Maintaining a regular routine, instead of going to bed at all different times, can put you in much better shape. A regular schedule helps your body be ready for sleep at about the same time each night. Keep that schedule even on holidays, weekends, and special occasions to keep your internal clock ticking correctly.

Get up at the same time each morning, too – even if you didn’t sleep as much as you’d like. That might sound counter intuitive, but it’ll help train your body to sleep properly the next night. Likewise, avoid going to bed extra early, even if you’re tired. That keeps your body trained.

Remember that sleep should be a priority, and make plenty of time for it. It’s not a waste of time – it’s an investment in your health, your happiness, and a great wedding day. Create a comfortable environment for sleeping, with a temperature and bedding that feel good to you. If you’re tossing and turning, the quality of your sleep is going to be reduced. Try a warm bath before bed, or scent your room with relaxing smells like lavender, to improve your chances of a good night’s sleep before the wedding. You’ll appreciate it when the big day comes.

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10 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Wedding Photographer

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

When it comes to preparing for your wedding, you are probably up to your elbows in magazines, paperwork, bills, and glitter. But even though there seems to be a never-ending list of things to do in order to be properly prepared for the big day, you have to make sure that you are not skipping certain details.

Here are 10 questions to ask when checking out wedding photographers. This is not just about making sure that you are spending your money wisely but it is also about making sure you are going to end up with photos you will be able to proudly cherish for the rest of your life.

1. Will he or she be the exact person at your wedding taking your photos?

If he or she cannot guarantee that, you will want to look somewhere else. You want to make sure you are interviewing and reviewing the work of the exact person who will be at your wedding taking photos. The last thing you want is to be surprised on the day of your wedding and end up with photos that are not worth a dime.

2. What styles does he or she specialize in?

Photos are not just photos. Every photographer out there has their own special style or way of doing things that you want to be familiar with. Do you like the photographer’s style? Is it your style? In order to be a happy bride, make sure that you are getting a photographer that is capable of taking the shots you want on your wedding day.

3. What kind or type of camera will be used for your photos?

It is important to make sure that some inexpensive 35mm camera available at any Wal-Mart is not being used. There is nothing wrong with an everyday camera for everyday photos, but your wedding is special. You want high quality photos so make sure that your photographer has the right equipment.

4. Is there a backup plan?

What happens if that camera breaks? Make sure the photographer has a back up plan such as having spare cameras on hand and an assistant who is qualified to work in his or her place should an emergency occur.

5. How large is the photo package and what is the price breakdown for each photo?

By understanding all of the pricing and what you get within each package you will be able to make an educated decision on what you should be going with. Ask questions if you don’t understand. It’s better to not be surprised when the bill and the proofs come in.

6. How long before the proofs are ready?

You will want to know how long it will take for the proofs to be finished for your review.

7. Do they automatically give the negatives/cd or is there an extra charge for this?

Some will give you the negatives free of charge while others will not unless you ask for them and then there is an additional charge.

8. Is he or she covered by liability insurance?

In case something goes wrong or there is an accident, the photographer needs to have liability insurance to cover costs.

9. Can you request specific types of photos to be taken?

This will help to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want. If the photographer seems rigid and uptight about your input, you should look elsewhere.

10. Is there an additional cost for staying longer then scheduled?

If there is a delay or the event simply lasts longer than you expected you probably want the photographer to stay. Is he or she available to stay longer, and do they charge extra for doing so?

Your wedding photographer can be like a magician creating beautiful photos of your very special wedding. Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re deciding who to hire – it’s that important.

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At Home Bachelorette Parties

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Bridal Candies and Flowers
What makes a great bachelorette party?  Some girls say it is going out to bars, flirting with guys, and drinking shots all night long.  Other girls, especially slightly older brides, find that they aren’t looking for a situation that will only make them feel uncomfortable.

If you are planning a bachelorette party for a more reserved friend, or a girl who doesn’t drink, how do you still make sure she has a fun event?  Are there rules for planning a bachelorette party?

First, there are no set rules for bachelorette party planning.  There are, however, several key elements that make a bachelorette party a success.  The first step is to determine the expectations of the bride.  Does she want to stay in?  Does she want to invite twenty girls, or only six?  Does she have a restaurant she wants to visit, a concert she’d like to go to, or would she prefer an at home gathering?

Knowing the wishes of the bride is a key step to begin your planning.  If you have determined that the bride wants a less wild, simpler bachelorette party, you have many options to make sure it is still memorable. 

First, be sure to include the right guests – girls that the bride feels closest to. Next, think about a theme for your party.  Does the bachelorette love chocolate?  Maybe you can have a chocolate party with chocolate fountains and goodies, and gift bags for all the guests that are a rich, brown color, filled with chocolate gifts.  Or, try a theme centered on the groom, such as a “girly” football party for a girl who is marrying a huge football fan.  This party can include all the guests wearing football gear like jerseys and the food being a tailgate style.  No matter what theme you choose, make sure that it fits the bride, and your bachelorette party will be more successful.

Another key to an at-home party is making sure there are no men allowed!  Send your boyfriend or husband out for the night to make sure you have the house to yourself.  Or, ideally, plan the bachelorette party for the same night as the bachelor party when the guys are busy themselves. Next, plan great food.  A bachelorette party should feel indulgent, so make sure you are providing good snacks, or to keep costs down, make it a potluck party.  Have each girl bring a favorite dish and you can all get together, snack, and play bachelorette party games!

Finally, remember to focus entirely on the bride.  Have the girls each share a special story about a funny moment with the bride, or to write down their favorite memory of her.  Then, take turns reading the memories and have the bride guess who wrote what.  It is a good bonding experience and reminds everyone why they love the bride and lets guests who don’t know each other well get to know each other better before the wedding.

Whatever you do for your bachelorette party, remember that the key to a great party is the love you put into it and the friends you have gathered.

 

More on another site for brides from Teri Champigny
http://bridalaccessories1.info

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Posted in Bachelorette, Bachelorette Party, Before The Wedding, Bride | 3 Comments »

Develop A Systematic Wedding Planning

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

The most important day in your life is your wedding, and there is no doubt that you would want this day to be a grand success. Making a proper and effective wedding planning should be your top priority if you want your wedding to be remembered by all your relatives and friends for a long time to come. However, the development of the wedding planning needs to be done systematically and thoroughly so that the various steps are accomplished in an orderly fashion without any stress.

Start Early And Make A Checklist

You should start early with your wedding planning and make a proper checklist of all that needs to be done. This checklist should also be accompanied by a budget plan that matches the various expenses needed to fulfill the various activities of the checklist. Preparing the checklist should be done with proper thought and with plenty of time. Whereas you might have all the bright ideas for the checklist, it would be a good idea to consult your parents who can offer valuable suggestions based on their experience.

Decide On The Venue

The other important things that need to be included in the wedding planning are the venues of the marriage and the reception. The venue for the wedding would depend on whether you want to have a church wedding or a civic wedding. There are many people who like to have their wedding in unconventional and non-traditional places such as a ship or in the mountains or even aboard a plane. However, if you want to have your wedding in a unique place, you will have to start very early with the wedding planning.

Reception Arrangements

The arrangements for the reception also need to be included in the wedding planning as you might like to hire a singer or a musical group for providing live entertainment for the guests. Moreover, the other aspects that need to be decided well in advance are the food, the wedding cake, the flowers, and the decorations. Besides these, you would also have to organize the various clothing items such as morning suits for the men, hats for the ladies, the wedding dress for the bride, and the dresses for the bridesmaids.

Finalize List Of Invitees

Perhaps the most important aspect of the wedding planning is finalizing the list of the invitees. The activities connected with this aspect are: finalization of the wedding invitation cards, sending out the same to the various people, and making out a seating plan in such a way that there is minimum resentment among the guests.

Other Miscellaneous Arrangements

The wedding planning should not overlook many other small arrangements that have to be made. These include appointments at the hair salons for the bride and the bridesmaids, the rehearsal dinner, gifts for the bridesmaids, distribution of gift lists by the couple, center pieces for the various tables, and plenty of confetti.

A proper wedding planning can go a long way toward ensuring the success of your wedding functions.

Posted in Before The Wedding, announcement, checklists, getting married, lists of invitees, other arrangements, reception arranagements, wedding planning, wedding preparation | 3 Comments »

Are Bachelorette Parties for Good Girls?

Thursday, December 13th, 2007

A lot of brides wonder, can I have a bachelorette party and still be viewed as a good girl? Many mothers and grandmothers advise their daughters that only “bad” women have bachelorette parties, and that a girl’s reputation can be tarnished by a wild night out on the town. So, these older women say, don’t have a bachelorette party at all.

However, for most modern brides, a bachelorette party is a right of passage, and a fair deal since the groom will undoubtedly have a bachelor party. Why should the boys be the only ones who get to celebrate the last days of being single?

Unfortunately, there is a tension between a traditional bachelorette party that may include strippers, random strangers at bars hitting on the girls, suck-a-buck tee shirts, and other penis shaped party favors, and maintaining some sense of dignity. For a lot of women, the thought of a wild bachelorette party with a male exotic dancer seems too risqué for it to be a fun night, and would make it a tedious exercise rather than a memorable adventure. Instead, many women opt for a stay at home, low key bachelorette party. This may be a great solution for girls who worry that they aren’t being a “good” fiancé if they go out and have guys hit on them all night, buying drinks for the bachelorette and making lewd comments. Instead, a bride-to-be can have a bachelorette party that is focused more on celebrating being a woman and having the women around her who mean the most.

This type of bachelorette party should be specifically requested if a bride is demure. No need to take a chance that one of your bridesmaids will think you want to go out to clubs and bars, if what you really want is a quiet night in. For a more simplistic, “nice girl” bachelorette party, it is great to focus on time with the girls in a way that seems more infused with class and propriety.

The party can be planned with pink as the theme – pink decorations, foods, and party favors, and guests wearing the girly hue. You can plan activities such as spa treatments, at home pedicures, or lighthearted games that are not bawdy as many bachelorette games tend to be. Another option is to host a bachelorette party slumber party, complete with pizza, sleeping bags, and girly movies. The point is that you can remain a “good” girl, and still celebrate your womanhood and fleeting single status with your girlfriends. Bachelorette parties don’t all have to be about wearing tight fitting clothes and flirting with strangers. Instead, the focus can remain on what makes the bride feel comfortable, supported, and loved by her bridesmaids and other female friends.

A small, intimate, at home bachelorette party may be the perfect solution for making the bride feel as though this right of passage has upheld her beliefs and allowed her to remain true to herself. Bachelorette parties can be whatever you want them to be!

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Finding Cheap Bridal Accessories

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Finding cheap bridal accessories online or at a local retail store is not very hard to do. If you live in a bigger city that has many discount stores or outlet malls, you can find some wonderful bridal accessories at affordable prices. A cheap accessory does not mean that the quality is loss, it just means you are going to save money for other important things, like the honeymoon. Some of the things you need for your wedding include wedding invitations, thank you cards, dress, shoes, make up, jewelry, veils, wedding favors, flowers, garter, bridesmaids gifts, cake, cake topper, cake and server set and a guest book. Once you have all these bridal accessories, you should be set for your wedding day.

Sears and JC Penney’s have online outlet stores that do carry dresses, veils and shoes. You can always look through the websites to see if they have any closeout specials running, which in many cases, allows you to find some very good deals on designer dresses. Shoes and veils can also be found at these outlets or you might try a specialty shop for the veil and one for the shoes. Keep in mind, your veil or headpiece needs to compliment your dress and so do the shoes.

If you need make up, many websites offer sample make up for a very low cost. This would be a great way to fill your entire make up needs for a low cost. You can spend sixty to eighty dollars on make up that you may not use after the wedding, therefore, sample make up packages are idea. If you need nail polish or false nails that you can do yourself, you might also consider looking online. You can find cheaper ways then going to a nail saloon to have beautiful nails.

Flowers are a little harder to buy online unless you have a florist in your local area. Many flower shops allow you to design your bouquets online and they have everything ready the day of your wedding. For the most part though, flowers are usually the one thing you have to do in person. Cheap bridal accessories might also include rose petals for the miniature bride and do not forget the corsages for the men. Once you have your flower order made, you just have to look for the rest of your bridal accessory needs.

Another thing to keep in mind is the wedding cake. You can order cheap bridal accessories, but the cake is usually going to be full price unless you find someone to make the cake for you. You can find many cake pictures online and if you can, you could find someone to make the cake for you. Then all you need to do is find the cake topper, cake knife and the cake server. Along with the cake and cake accessories, you will want to find a guest book for your guests to record their names. These books usually come with a fancy pen attached right to the book.

Posted in Before The Wedding, bridal accessories, wedding dresses, wedding plans, wedding preparation | 1 Comment »

How to Cut Wedding Costs

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

Weddings can be quite expensive. In fact, a wedding, which will only last for a few minutes, followed by a reception that may last a few hours, can cost more than a new home or car. You can have a truly beautiful wedding without going overboard on the costs.

Start by understanding that the more professionals you have to hire, the more your wedding will cost. Determine early what you can do for yourself. Do you have an aunt who is a fabulous cook? She might be able to cater the party and bake the wedding cake. Is your uncle a photographer? He can take the pictures. Find help where ever you can among your family and friends to cut professional costs.

You will have to get creative. You can make your own flower arrangements and your own decorations. If you don’t know how, purchase or borrow a book that will show you how, or find the information online. Use artificial flowers instead of real ones, as long as the artificial flowers are cheaper, which they will be in most cases, especially if the flower is out of season.

Consider cheaper venue options. For example, if you are a member of a church, there usually is not a charge for holding the wedding in the church. For the reception, you could consider holding it in the backyard, or at another location that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

When shopping for your wedding dress, consider all of the options that are open to you. Look in the paper to see if anybody is selling a wedding dress. Also, look for sales. Wedding dresses are auctioned off on eBay daily. There is no need to pay thousands of dollars on a dress that you will wear exactly once. For the men, don’t buy tuxedos –rent them instead.

Again, your wedding does not have to be outrageously expensive to be beautiful. All it takes is some thought, creativity, and careful planning. You can have the wedding of your dreams at a fraction of the cost.

Posted in Before The Wedding, wedding plans, wedding preparation | 2 Comments »

The Wedding Party

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

You are getting married! Congratulations. There are many, many plans to make, and of course, you need to choose your wedding party. Who will be the best man? Who will be the matron of honor? Whose feelings are about to get badly hurt?

Choosing the wedding party can be very excruciating for both the bride and the groom. Ideally, the groom would choose his best friend, his brother, or his father as the best man. Either of these choices would be fine will all involved. However, for the bride it is usually much more difficult.

The bride usually chooses her best married friend as the matron of honor…but which ones consider themselves to be the brides best friend? The chances are good that when you attend the wedding, every bridesmaid you see considers herself to be the brides best friend.

It almost never fails. Somebody’s feelings will be hurt when the bride and groom announce who will be in the wedding party. You can’t allow this to force you to make selections that you would not have made otherwise.

It is important to realize that this is your special day. You should have the people that you want standing up for you, and standing beside you. The fact is that if somebody else doesn’t like this decision, and they get mad to the point where they want nothing to do with it, you can’t really consider them a real friend anyway.

If the bride and groom are not careful, the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen can grow to large numbers – all because the bride and groom want to include, or feel forced to include, everyone that they consider a friend. You can’t allow this to happen. You have to pick an affordable number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, and stick with it.

If you really have no preferences as to who the best man and matron of honor are, let them pick straws. Let them know that they are all equally important to you, and that you just can’t decide. Also, let them know that no matter who is chosen as the matron of honor and the best man, it is not an indication that these people are liked or loved more than others.

Posted in Before The Wedding, getting married, wedding party, wedding plans, wedding preparation | No Comments »

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