Wedding Etiquette Adviser
Stationery
Wedding Invitation Wording:
Anatomy of an InvitationThe Host LineThe Bride's Parents Are HostingThe Groom's Parents Are HostingThe Couple Is HostingDivorced ParentsParent Has Passed AwaySocial TitlesRequest LineBride and Groom LinesDate and TimeLocationReception Line or CardR.S.V.P. Line or Reply CardSpecial Details on the Wedding InvitationThe Etiquette of Wedding Invitation Enclosures:
Map EnclosuresReception CardSharing Your Website InformationAn Attire CardHotel and Travel InformationRelated Wedding EventsReply CardThings to Omit from Your InvitationsAt Home CardAddressing and Mailing Your Wedding Invitations:
When to Send Wedding InvitationsDo I Need a Calligrapher?The Rules for Address EtiquetteNames and TitlesAddressesReturn AddressesAddress Variations for Married CouplesAddress Variations for FamiliesAddress Style for Single GuestsOuter and Inner EnvelopesAssembling the InvitationPostage and HandlingHand-CancelingSpecial PostmarkTowns with Sweet Names
Sticky Situations
Sticky Situations with Your Reception and Guest List:
Inviting Plus OnesRules for Inviting CousinsWho to Invite from WorkYou Don't Want Children at the WeddingTo Invite Teenagers or NotDo You Have to Invite Them if They Invited YouYou Have Relatives Who Are Known for MisbehavingYou Received a Present from Someone You Weren't Going to InviteYou Won't Be Serving AlcoholOrganizing Escort Cards for Guests with Different Last NamesAssigning Seats and TablesAn Estrangement After the Save-the-Dates Have Been SentYou're Having a Cocktail Only ReceptionThe Centerpieces are WrongYou're Vegetarians, Your Family is NotSticky Wedding Situations with Your Parents:
His Parents Aren't Contributing, but His Mom Wants a SayHis Parents Are Contributing Some MoneyYour Parents are Paying, but They Want a Different Wedding Than You DoOne Family is Hosting, but the Other Family Has Higher ExpectationsWho Hosts and Pays for WhatIncluding My StepparentsStepparents at the ReceptionBuying Flowers for StepparentsMother of the Bride and Stepmother of the Bride Don't Get AlongFashion is Not Your Mom's Strong SuitSticky Situations with the Bridal Party:
Do You Have to Ask Your Fiance's Sister to be a Bridesmaid?A Less Than Enthused Maid-of-HonorThe Bridesmaids' AttireYou Don't Like One of Your Fiance's FriendsWhat Should Attendants Pay For?What Events Are Mandatory?Should My Wedding Party Be Allowed a Plus One?The Bride and the Bachelorette PartyYou Have an Uneven Number of AttendantsWedding Party GroomingTaming Rowdy GroomsmenChildren at Your Wedding:
Decide EarlyIs It Appropriate to Not Invite Children?Address Invitation ExplicitlyCall All Guests with ChildrenWill It Look Bad if You Invite Some Children and Not Others?Choosing the Ring Bearer and Flower GirlAre There Other Duties for Children?Not Inviting the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl to the ReceptionDo Kids Need a Special Menu?Where Should the Kids Sit?Entertaining the Kids at the WeddingA Separate Room for KidsCan the Nanny Come Too?
Budget
Who Traditionally Pays for What at a Wedding?:
Modern-Day RulesThe Engagement PartyThe Engagement AnnouncementsTraditional Roles for the Bride and Her FamilyThe Wedding ReceptionTraditional Roles for the Groom and His FamilyThe Rehearsal DinnerOther Roles for the Groom's FamilyWedding Budget Dos and Don'ts:
Do Talk About ItDon't Assume Your Parents Will Pay for the WeddingDo Ask Wedding Vendors a Lot of QuestionsDon't Overextend YourselfDon't Ever Ask for Money from GuestsDo Communicate with Everyone Who Is HelpingDon't Bankrupt Your Bridal PartyDo Keep Track of Your SpendingTips on Tipping Wedding Vendors:
General Rule of ThumbThe OfficiantThe Catering StaffMusicians and DeejaysStylists and Makeup ArtistsPhotographers, Videographers, Florists, and Wedding CoordinatorsSite StaffSeamstresses, Delivery People, and Drivers
Attire
The Best Dressed Bride and Groom:
Proper Wedding AttireDaytime vs. Evening WeddingsMatch Attire to Wedding StyleFormal Attire for the Daytime and EveningSemiformal for the DaytimeSemiformal for the EveningInformal for the DaytimeInformal for the EveningBridal Party Attire:
Bridesmaid Dress Redux Comfortable BridesmaidsCan She Wear her Bridesmaid Dress Again?Long Dresses for Bridesmaids: The Short AnswerWhite Tie vs. Black Tie for BridesmaidsBlack Tie Optional for BridesmaidsFor Casual AffairsGroomsmen Accessories: To Match or Not to Match?White Tie vs. Black Tie for the MenBlack Tie Optional for the MenFor Casual AffairsWedding Guest Attire:
White TieBlack TieBlack Tie OptionalCreative Black TieSemiformalCasualFor the Mother of Bride and Mother of GroomFor the Father of Bride and Father of GroomThe Age-Old Question: Can a Guest Wear White to a Wedding?
Events
The Etiquette of Bridal Showers:
Who Hosts the ShowerShower GuestsShower InvitationsShower TraditionsShower GiftsBridal Shower ThemesThe Etiquette of Engagement Parties:
Who Throws the Engagement PartyTiming of the Engagement PartyGuests at the Engagement PartyGifts at an Engagement PartyWhat Type of Party Should You Have?Tips for Throwing an Engagement PartyGifts for the HostThe Etiquette of Wedding Rehearsal Dinners:
The RehearsalThe Rehearsal DinnerWhat Type of Rehearsal Dinner Should You Have?When to Hold the Rehearsal DinnerWho Hosts the Rehearsal DinnerThe Guest ListSeating of the GuestsToasts at the RehearsalPersonal Touches at the RehearsalFREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER
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