Wedding Plans, Wedding Etiquette and Wedding Shows in Colorado

If you have wedding plans, why not take the time to study wedding etiquette and attend wedding shows in Colorado. With wedding etiquette lessons you will learn what to and what not to do so that you won't hear anything from your guests that might discomfort you.

You don't need to follow all wedding etiquette rules; all you need to do is learn the basics and you can bend the rules accordingly. Of course, you will only bend wedding etiquette rules that won't make your mother and close friends raise their eyebrows. You very well know how to bend rules with taste.

You won't wear a black wedding dress just to bend a wedding etiquette rule for the sake of bending it. Wear black wedding dress if you have a reason. But if you can do with a white wedding dress, well, that would be better. Bend on some other rules instead. Such as being informal in the wordings on your wedding invitation.

On the other hand, attending wedding shows in Colorado will give you an idea on what to expect from a country and garden weddings and who are the best suppliers that you should hire when you plan to get wed in Colorado.

-- Why More and More Couples Want to Get Married in Colorado?

Many couples have been getting married in Colorado because of the cool weather, beautiful gardens, and homey, old fashioned barn and big houses which are the best wedding reception for a country themed wedding.

Colorado is situated in Southwestern America. It is known for its breathtaking scenery-- snowcapped mountains and moist grasslands -- and world world famous ski slopes that attract skiers and snowboard enthusiasts (that come from every place of the planet) each year between the months of December and March. Colorado's Rocky Mountain State is home to North America's best skiing locations, such as: Vail, Steamboat Springs, Aspen and Breckenridge.

Boulder, Colorado boasts Aspen rich parks with green grasslands. Boulder, Colorado is perfect for couples who plans to have a garden wedding.

In the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, a garden that looks like paradise is open for public. The Alpine Garden is a botanical garden filled with colorful, high elevation plants. The rugged mountains and pine trees are the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.

The Alpine Garden hosts private events such as weddings. Its Rock Garden Terrace can accommodate up to fifty (50) guests, which is just perfect for a simple wedding with only close family and friends as guests.

The kiss of the newly weds and the loving look that they give one another is enough to warm the hearts of guests in the cool Colorado garden terrace.

-- Attend Wedding Shows in Colorado

On your wedding plans list, write that you will study Colorado wedding etiquette and mark dates of wedding shows in Colorado.  Wedding etiquette in Colorado is not actually stiff; people celebrate festivities with country inspired cuisine and lots of wine, as you will learn from wedding shows in Colorado.

Colorado exudes freshness of blooming flowers, green grass, and cool weather.  This is the reason why lots of wedding shows are being held in Colorado. Couples with wedding plans go to wedding shows in Colorado because of the fabulous things they hear about the place as a good venue to celebrate weddings and party on with country and garden wedding themes.

Wedding shows in Colorado features wedding etiquette books for couples with wedding plans. Wedding etiquette books contain information about wedding etiquette on invitation, wedding etiquette on who pays the wedding expenses, wedding etiquette for step mother and fathers, wedding etiquette for second family, wedding etiquette on what the bride should wear including her bridesmaids and her guests' clothing, and wedding etiquette on the issue of cash bar.

Emily Post was known for her wedding etiquette knowledge and she had a spectacular book about wedding etiquette for couples with wedding plans. Everything that a couple needs to know about socializing during the wedding has been compiled in a single, thin book.

If you have wedding plans and want to catch the latest wedding shows in Colorado, just go to the official website of the State of Colorado and they have information about various events in the State of which include wedding shows in Colorado.

How To Write The Wedding Etiquette Wording

During the entire course of the wedding, there are several instances that require wedding etiquette wording. What is wedding etiquette wording? It is a collection for phrases or paragraphs meant for the couple’s union.

The wedding etiquette wording follows certain rules to make it as effective and elegant as possible. Traditionally, the bride handles all the wedding details, including the wedding etiquette wording for the groom. But thankfully, now there are some things that can be handed over to other people like the wedding planner, a member of the family or even the clergy.

The announcement:

The engagement can be announced to both families in an intimate gathering. However, the law requires that the union be posted in an ad as public announcement of their nuptial. The wedding etiquette wording for this can be kept to a minimum.

The details include, the name of the couple and their parents, the date and location of the wedding and the reception information. More elegant announcements can run a full-page story about the couple’s history but members of the elite society mostly do this wedding etiquette wording.

The invitation:

After establishing your guest list, it is time to send out the invitations. The wedding etiquette wording is very important and must be written while considering the marital status of the couple’s parents and the couple themselves.

As more and more people get divorced, the wedding etiquette wording has evolved to accommodate the changes. If all the parents are divorced, the invitation should include all parents' names, with the bride's parents first. The mothers should be written down before names of their ex-husbands.

It is important to note that wedding etiquette wording dictates that the invitation contains the following: name of the couple, their parents, the date and location of the wedding, wedding attire requirements, the map to the wedding and reception area, the bridal registry information and other details such as a wedding website of the couple.

As a matter of wedding etiquette wording, all the wedding invitations must come from the bride’s side, even for the friends of the groom. They should be sent out six weeks before the wedding day.  Guests from out of town should be considered and have their invitations a lot earlier than the rest so they can prepare for the event.

The wedding vows:

Traditionally, wedding vows are spoken to each other as dictated by the clergy. However some couples prefer to make theirs special by making personalize d vows. The couple themselves should write the wedding etiquette wording for vows. Quoting a poem or a song is acceptable as long as it is the person’s sincere words.

The toast:

Prior to the wedding reception, the family should be aware of the program. At this stage, the host should have informed the concerned parties of the wedding etiquette wording speeches they will make. It helps to write down what one has to say to avoid stammering. The parents or a very close family member from each side of the family does the wedding etiquette wording for the speech.

Another speech requiring a wedding etiquette wording is the best man and maid of honor. Usually expressing their long friendship and wishes for their friends, the wedding etiquette wording for these speeches is short but meaningful.

The thanksgiving:

Another speech that needs wedding etiquette wording is the one given by the couple at the end of the program. The couple makes an expression of gratitude to the bride and groom’s families, guests and everyone behind the wedding event. Although the wedding etiquette wording may be spontaneous than the previous speeches, it is nonetheless sincere and appropriate.

The Thank you card:

A week after the wedding it is customary to send out thank you cards to the guests, those who gave a gift and the people who organized the wedding event (including the wedding planner, the musicians, the floral arranger, etc). A simple wedding etiquette wording would be a thank you note or a poem signed by the newlyweds.

This type of wedding etiquette wording job is often left to the bride’s family including those guests from the groom’s side. This is written on a plain white card. Whether the couple uses a standard thank you card or print a personalized one, the wedding etiquette wording should always be sincere, nice and unforgettable.

Wedding Etiquette: Who Pays for the Wedding?

Getting married these days is very costly. For brides, before you buy from suppliers of your choice or hire the most costly services of makeup artists, wedding coordinators, coutourier, etc, talk to your husband-to-be first and discuss your budget.

Before you go bridezilla by demanding this and that for your wedding, determine who pays for your wedding and will cover the largest percentage of your wedding budget.

Below are the wedding etiquette on who pays or should pay for your wedding. This will serve as a guide for couples who would like to know the basic etiquette in who pays for what.

-- Traditional Wedding Etiquette - Who Pays For the Wedding?

Wedding Etiquette on who pays for the weddings has evolved for the last century. Traditionally, wedding etiquette books dictate that the bride's father should pay for the wedding. This was during the time when girls were kept by their fathers inside their house, not allowed to work and go to school, but do household chose and must have lessons from  lady manners to teach them social etiquette and wedding etiquette in preparation for their life as married women.

A daughter was 'given' out by her father to a boy or a man who his father thought could feed or fend his daughter when he was gone. And since he would be giving his daughter away, he would host his daughter's wedding and pay for everything as a sign of his agreement to his daughter's marriage. This is the traditional wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding.

-- Modern Wedding Etiquette - Who Pays For the Wedding

Today, wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding is not as rigid as it was before. The bride and the groom can go traditional, and thus should ask the father of the bride to host the wedding and pay for the entire wedding expenses. Or if the parents of the groom have expressed their desire to be a co-host of the wedding event, they may do so, especially if the parents of the groom are wealthy and are able to cover some of the expenses.

But since most couples nowadays are both earning their own money, it is not a violation of wedding etiquette if the bride and the groom decide to pay for their own wedding. Some couples prefer to pay for the their own wedding so that they can have more control over the number of guests and who are the persons to invite and how the celebration of the wedding should be held.

Wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding is, most of the time, being set aside to grant the wishes of the couple and immediate family members.

-- Alternative Ways of Paying - Wedding Etiquette

Because of the high cost of living these days, paying for the entire cost of the wedding may be beyond the means of the parents of the bride or even of the parents of the groom. If the bride and the groom are earning money for themselves, they may consider paying for the entire expenses fo their wedding.

However, there may be parents who would like to contribute to the wedding cost. Brides and grooms should be sensitive with this matter. Don't say no to your parents even if you think they will hand to you everything that they have. It is  their joy to see you get married and their pleasure to play a big part of your wedding (that is by shelling out money for the wedding cost).

It is more reasonable if you will sit down with your parents and discuss with them  the projected costs of your wedding and ask them which part of the wedding expenses would they comfortably want to fund. This way, your parents will have an idea of the exact amount that they will shell out while the two of you, bride and groom, will know how much is it that you still need to raise.

Wedding etiquette on who pays for what is not anymore big question these days. The only etiquette that is required of bride and groom is to talk out with their  parents the issue of costs or who pays only if the parents have voiced desire to co-host the wedding affair.

Getting hitched, Victorian Style

Wedding ceremonies are different depending on the preferences and fortunes of those involved. There are no specific directions to follow. However, those that will be married by ministers should first study the form of weddings their church follows.

The Episcopalians have their “Book of Common Prayer”, the Methodists have their “Book of Discipline” and the Catholics have certain rituals. The wedding rehearsal is normally made in private but it is required if the couples will be wed by a magistrate. The most number of ceremonies occur in Catholic and Episcopal weddings but these are normally the most impressive.

The Victorian Wedding

ATTIRE: Victorian weddings are filled with ruffles, bows and lace. Guests should consider wearing an antique dress a lace cap or headpiece, which can be purchased from the ladies at Greystone Gardens. For a morning wedding, the men should wear a morning dress and a tailcoat for an evening wedding. A top hat is also a nice option.

MENU: A formal Victorian wedding should follow the guidelines for a traditional formal wedding. For an informal wedding, the ideal setting is the Sunday tea dance with scones, petit fours filled with fresh fruit. The movie The Age of Innocence should be watched for inspiration.

INVITATIONS: The invitation of a formal Victorian wedding should have an attractive  embossed border on the edge. The text should be formal or if possible should be engraved. Invitations can also carry the couple’s favorite Victorian love poem.

FAVORS:  A cracker popular during holiday time is good option for a Victorian wedding. These things were invented during the Victorian era and snap when opened. These can be filled with a trinket based on personality and budget. A folding fan printed with a nice poem and wedding date can be used in a daytime wedding.

FLOWERS: The flowers play a very important role in a Victorian wedding. A tussy mussy is a good option. The flower girls can carry pomanders.

PROPER ETTIQUETTE IN A VICTORIAN WEDDING

Weddings regardless if its Victorian or not follow a certain etiquette in order to make the ceremony flow seamlessly.

- Bridesmaids and groomsmen should perform certain responsibilities in the ceremony if the wedding is not strictly private.

- The bride should be older than her bridesmaids and their outfits should match. However, the wedding gown should obviously look more expensive but the dresses of the bridesmaids can have more ornaments. The dresses should be composed of graceful, light material. The flowers should serve as the principal decoration.

- The wedding gown should exude simplicity but can be worn with few ornaments or jewelry, which come from the parents or bridegroom. The garland and veil should be the most eye-catching in the dress.

- The bridesmaids should assist the bride in wearing her wedding gown and receiving guests. They should also stand at her left side during the ceremony. The bouquet and gloves should be held by the first bridesmaid.

-  The placing of the bridesmaids should not be much of a concern but those conscious with symmetry should consider putting the tallest to the smallest from the couple. However, any order should be suffice. A bridesmaid can be paired with a groomsman who has the same height.

- The groomsmen are primarily designated to receive the clergyman, lead him to the couple that will be married and stand in the right side of the bridegroom during the ceremony.

CEREMONY IN CHURCH

The etiquette in a Victorian church wedding sees the bride entering from the left side with her father followed by the bridesmaids or more common, as single bridesmaid. The groom enters from the right and is trailed by his attendants. Behind are the parents, while the attendants stand from either side.

The bride should make sure that her glove can be easily removed, while the groom should be certain that ring is placed where he can easily find it to avoid being embarrassed or delaying the ceremony.

ETTIQUETTE IN EXITING THE CHURCH

The newly-married couple holds each others arm when they depart from the church. A reception can be held at home for around two hours attended by intimate friends. A short breakfast can be held before the couple can embark on their bridal tour.

Wedding Etiquette on Tipping and Other Lost Wedding Etiquette

Even in our modern times, wedding etiquette still survives. The wedding etiquette that we have come to know dates back from the Victorian era. Victorians are known for their education, intelligence, social grace and manners.

The wedding etiquette on who should pay for the wedding has changed a bit although the old Victorian wedding etiquette, the father of the bride should host the wedding, is still being practiced today. Because of economic issues and that both couples are already earning their own money, the bride and groom today hosts their own wedding.

On social graces, some Victorian Wedding Etiquette still exists like having bridesmaids and groomsmen on your wedding and throwing the bride's bouquet for maidens to catch.

But on the issue of wedding etiquette on tipping, does tipping of the hat to greet the newlyweds still exist?

Wedding Etiquette on tipping is an old Victorian social grace of which people from many parts of Europe also do practice. But as time has passed, the etiquette of tipping a hat to acknowledge a person or greet a newlywed is becoming an obsolete etiquette.

One of the reasons, according to some wedding etiquette specialists, is that the modern clothing has excluded hat as part of fashion. So, how would a person do a tipping when there is no hat to beging tipping with?

American formal clothing does not include a hat, unlike in some European countries, a hat is still part of their fashion. This is the reason why the wedding etiquette on tipping from some European countries is still being practiced.

Wedding etiquette on tipping is not a big issue anymore in American society. In fact, most wedding etiquette books that we have now do not mention anything about wedding etiquette on tipping nor they have mentioned anything about it being an old custom of the American society.

But there are couples who wish that their guests would practice the wedding etiquette on tipping. These couples are those who celebrate their wedding with a Victorian era wedding theme, or the 1950's Casablanca theme of which fashion from these years requires a hat to complete an ensemble.

Aside from wedding etiquette on tipping, another lost wedding etiquette on our society is the choosing of bridesmaids younger than the bride and requiring them to wear a dress similar as that of the bride.

Today, this wedding etiquette, just like the wedding etiquette on tipping is completely lost. Brides now choose older and sometimes even married bridesmaid. This is not being scorned today, but yesterday, during the time when wedding etiquette on tipping is being practice, bridesmaids are young and really maiden.

The reason behind the Victorian wedding etiquette on young and maiden bridesmaids came from the old belief that a devil is tasked to abduct brides during their wedding day so that he could have her for himself before her groom can take her. The bridesmaids acted as decoy, being maiden and wearing dress that resembles the bride's dress will confuse the devil as to who is the real bride.

This wedding etiquette has been passed on from generation to generation until it evolved and became the wedding etiquette that we have now. According to wedding etiquette specialists, this practice has long been forgetten because people, through time, has become modernized and become less superstitious. Besides, the bride can now have her favorite sister or best friend, even if she is older than her or married, to be at her side on her very special day.

There are still lots of wedding etiquettes before that have been changed to fit our current culture and society. In fact, some of the modern wedding etiquette we have now may also become oblete in time, like the way the wedding etiquette on tipping and wedding etiquette on bridesmaids that our culture had before.

Becoming a Fashionable and Graceful Stepmom on Weddings

We have wedding etiquettes left and right tackling a number of issue related to weddings. But modifications have to be made because times have also changed.

Centuries or decades ago, husbands and wives are stuck to each other for life, in sickness and in health. But nowadays, everything has changed. Most of the parents now are divorced by the time the marriage reaches its tenth year.

That is why modern weddings are further complicated with the emergence of stepmothers. Yes, almost every bride or groom in town has a stepmother.

But the problem is, how are stepmothers dealt with during weddings. From this cue, let us focus on stepmothers.

Stepmothers are usually portrayed as wicked and evil, just in the case of Snow White and Cinderella. But in reality, stepmothers are also human. Most of them are really kind and good-hearted, and some are even better, when it comes to the personality department, than real mothers.

Being a Stepmother

If you are a stepmother, the simplest and most basic ethic you should adopt when your step daughter or step son gets married is to take the back seat.

The principal and most basic issue that hounds stepmothers during step daughter’s or step son’s weddings is the attire. Focus on that, and be amazed at how every issue and dispute is covered by the issue on attire.

Traditionally, during weddings, it is the bride’s mom that decides on everything. The first and basic concern for each wedding is the wedding gown. Biological mothers have all the right to intervene and decide on that.

Take not that in adherence to traditional and appropriate wedding etiquettes, the groom’s mom, the bridesmaids and the maid of honor will have to take the fashion cue from the bride’s mother.

In other words, the bride should stand out in the wedding. Her mom will have to stand out next to her. No one ever will have or be given the chance to steal their thunders.

It is in this part that the stepmother takes the backseat. To be nice and courteous, just adhere and agree to the bride’s mom’ fashion statement. If you are a stepmother, your attire during the wedding should never outdo that of the bride or that of the bride’s mother.

Doing otherwise will divert attention from the two stars of the moment to you. And that will lead to serious encounters and problems. Do not spoil your step daughter’s or step son’s wedding just so you can stick out and flash your unique and sensible fashion statement.

Your attire should only be complimentary, in style and in color, to those of the bride’s, the mom’s, the maid of honor’s and the bridesmaids.

Stepmothers during the wedding

The stepmother’s sacrifice in the attire department does not stop there. Most stepmothers should be canonized as saints especially if they patiently survive step son’s or step daughter’s wedding.

In throwing up receptions, stepmothers’ attires should still be underdog compared to the bride’s and the mom’s. Take note, adhere to this wedding etiquette even if you husband pays for the entire wedding. You will not want to arouse his ex-wife’s temper. For sure.

During the ceremony, the stepmother, with her dress-down attire, does not normally sit beside the bride’s or groom’s father. It is still the biological mother that has the right. Stepmothers are usually seated two to three rows back of the groom’s or bride’s parents. 

In several cases, wedding organizers not only advise stepmothers to tone down their attire, they also advise stepmothers to seat where the original wife could not see them. This is to avoid two moms from throwing cake at each other.

If you are a stepmother and you are of the same age, or younger than, as the bride, do not, repeat, do not attend the wedding. You might attract scandals. If you have been the cause of the break up between the bride’s or groom’s mom and husband, the warnings should be utmost and more emphasized to you.

It is hard to be a stepmother, right? But understanding your position and living it out with utmost fashion and grace will help you outshine the occasion, even if you do not need it. You are not on the losing side. Besides, you have your loving husband with you—the proof and trophy for you being the winner!

Wedding Etiquette: How Stepmothers Should Act

We have seen on movies and television shows, especially the soap operas, the dagger look that the biological mother and the stepmother cast at each other. And we laugh at them when they spit out their sarcastic lines, with the episode ending up in a slapping scene.

This matter is not laughable; not at all. This incident do happen in real life: biological mother or father fighting up for the first pew on the church against the stepmother or stepfather of their child or who should do the father and daughter dance.

Having a wicked stepmother for a stepmom most of the time happens only in fairy tales. In real world, stepmothers do get along with their stepdaughters and stepsons.

If you are among those brides who dearly love their stepmothers and biological mothers too but the two just can't seem to meet in the middle, don not let yourself be caught in the middle of a cat fight. There are wedding etiquette for stepmothers in case you are looking for one. Just try to know some of these wedding etiquette for stepmothers and you will be assured that you won't slight the two persons dear to your heart.

-- Wedding Etiquette for Stepmothers: Seating Arrangement.

If your mother and stepmother have not spoken in ten years and seating them three seats apart can already spark a friction and eventually a heated argument, how should you seat the two of them without hurting anyone's feelings?

For a start, take the time to have a heart-to-heart talk to each of them during the planning stage of your wedding.  Ask your mother to be in her best manner possible, and when you talk to your stepmother, include your father in the talk. Your stepmother might get offended if you talk to her alone about behaving herself on the wedding. She might interpret that you are lecturing her.

Although your stepmother would have probably known wedding etiquette for stepmothers, it is still for the best if you talk out to her about some of the basics. But in doing so, avoid sounding authoritative. Say that she is dear to you but wedding etiquette dictates that she should be seated in this chair or that chair or that she and your father should be seated on the next pew at the church.

 is with each of them ahead of time -- perhaps include your father in the stepmother talk -- to solicit their "good behavior." If you keep saying how important it is to you that they make every effort to put animosity aside on this one special day, it's hard to imagine that they would cause any problems.

Some etiquette guidelines do exist to help you: In most cases, when the bride's parents are divorced, the parent with whom she lived after the divorce (or the one she's closer to) sits in the first pew during the ceremony. This is often, but not always, the mother, who is joined by her husband, if she is remarried, and her immediate family. Either directly behind the mother's contingent (which might fill the first two or three  pews) or a few rows away, come the bride's father, stepmother, and his immediate family.

There are practical divorced-parent guidelines for the reception, too. Use assigned seating, with the tables for your mother and stepmother a safe distance apart. I'm sure that on the big day, your sensitivity will be appreciated by all.

Assigning Seats During Weddings

Weddings are such tedious events that organizers assume too much responsibilities, from creating the guest list, to putting out and distributing invitations, down to making sure everyone is seated where he or she should be during the ceremonies and in the reception.

Organizers should pay particular attention to this because putting  a person to the wrong company during weddings can start up a great and scandalous commotion. Wedding etiquette guides advise organizers to know everyone first, or at least do more research about personalities and backgrounds before assigning seats.

Arch enemies would not want to seat beside each other even for a few minutes, right? So be sensitive and particular to these and more issues.
Seating arrangement in the church

Wedding etiquettes always assume that weddings, as traditions have it, are taking place inside churches. Or that ceremonies are church rites, at least.

Following proper wedding etiquettes, the family of the bride should be seated on the left side and the groom’s family on the right side of the venue. Yes, the two families are segregated.

The couple’s parents should sit in the first pew, before the other important and significant guests. Seating arrangements in churches and other venues should be marked by organizers so people will know where they should be seated.

Divorced parents

There are special cases when seating arrangements in weddings are altered. However, the changes should still follow strict wedding etiquettes.

For one, if the parents are divorced, how will the organizer arrange seats for them? Answer, if the parents of either the bride or the groom, or both, are divorced, both mom and dad can be seated along the front row with their current or new spouses. Flings and short-time girlfriends or boyfriends of parents are excluded and should not be seated there.

If the parents’ separation or divorce was a bitter one, and they still are not civil with each other, then the mom and dad should be seated in separate pews where they could hardly see each other.

It is the challenge for the wedding organizer to be creative, wise and practical in assigning seat arrangements during weddings.

The mom should be guided to her seat in the first pew by an assigned usher. If she remarried, her husband should walk just behind the mom and the usher. As a rule in wedding etiquettes, at least during the ceremonies, he should let his wife lead.

The bride’s or groom’s father should still escort or walk the bride or groom to the aisle along with the mom. No place for step moms and step dads for this part.

In most weddings, organizers arrange a seat plan is such a way that step moms and step dads are seated along with the grandparents or along with other significant or very special guests.

Seating arrangements during weddings should also vary and change, depending on the clergy and religion. Wedding etiquettes allow guests to inquire or ask about the seating arrangements to the clergy.

The Reception

There are wedding etiquettes governing seating arrangements in the church during the wedding ceremony. Of course, certain seating arrangements should also be ethically followed during the reception.

Formal receptions will have the bride’s entourage and family assigned to particular spots or seats in the reception.

The following will set a guidance when arranging or assigning seats or chairs in formal wedding receptions. 

The top table must be composed or be seated with the wedding party or entourage only. However, several very important guests can be included in the top table if the bride and the groom or their family wishes.

In those cases, the person should be seated on either side of the wedding party.

The bride and the groom’s families are still separated to distinguish which clan is that of the bride’s and which one is the groom’s.

Here’s the proper arrangement on top tables on wedding receptions, in accordance to appropriate and proper wedding etiquettes:

Arranged from left to right, facing the guests: maid of honor, groom’s mom, bride’s dad, the bride, the groom, the bride’s mom, the groom’s dad, then the best man.

Wedding etiquettes advise that the table should be occupied only by 12 people, at most.

Othe people should be then seated to other tables. Strictly limit the occupants of the top table, if possible.

Also, remember that in assigning seating arrangements for receptions, the bride should always stand or be seated to the left side of the groom. Again, this is for symbolic purposes. Just adhere and follow traditions, won’t you?

Wedding Etiquette for the Groom’s Parents

Weddings are wonderful experiences of two lovers who want to signify their commitment to bond, intentionally, for the rest of their lives. In Western countries, wedding ceremonies are symbolic and overwhelmingly romantic, making the event really expensive, as well.

Weddings are lifetime dreams of every woman. Some men also dream of being involved in one, though, the extent and magnitude is not that great compared to girls’ longing for it.

Because weddings are ceremonies that have evolved through the years to emerge as formal occasions, a lot of symbolic gestures and actions are required from the participants. From the bride to the groom, to the maid of honor and best man, Western culture has come up with universal wedding etiquette for every person in every wedding.

This article will inform and acquaint you to the minimal responsibilities given to the groom’s parents in every wedding. You will be surprised that the role of the groom’s parents are nothing much and intense compared to the role provided to other participants in the wedding.

Role of the Groom’s Parents

The groom’s parents are often fall at a loss when asked about the role they will be playing in the wedding of their beloved son. In movies and in real life, it is always assumed that parents of the bride get more emotional during weddings.

The assumption is true and is a well-accepted fact. However, the groom’s parents should not be seen as parents who should not be shedding tears during weddings. Of course, they should also. It is because they are also sending their beloved offspring or son away.

The groom’s parents will surely not be familiar of their role in their son’s wedding, especially if they had not participated previously in a wedding for a daughter, another son or other siblings. Here are some points and tips for the groom’s parents who wish to accomplish their role in the wedding well and with flying colors:

o       The first wedding etiquette to be followed by the groom’s parents is to initiate contact and communication with the bride’s family. Introducing themselves to the bride’s parents is the groom’s parents’ first and utmost responsibility. It would be a really, really great gesture to start up good relations between the two families.

o       It is a role of the groom’s parents, as written in wedding etiquettes, to host and pay for the wedding rehearsal dinner. The event should not necessarily be expensive. Simple salad potlucks or simple dinners can do. The groom’s parents should also not hold back if they want to impress the bride’s family by throwing out elaborate or exotic dinners in the finest restaurants.

o       To get along with customary wedding etiquettes, the groom’s parents can also participate in the planning stage of the wedding. However, the role is almost always limited to just providing timely, appropriate and accurate guest list. The groom’s family and relatives should not be overlooked at this very important event.

Wedding etiquette for groom’s parents during the wedding

The father of the groom’s responsibilities during weddings are often overlooked. It is because they are just always tasked to escorting the mother of the groom, and that role is still conditional if they are in good relations---that is, they are not divorced.

The groom’s mother can be busier. Women are very particular to dresses and that is where the groom’s mom should first strike.

The groom’s mom should leave the role of dealing for the bride’s dress to the bride’s mom. She should also not mind the dresses for the maid of honor or bridesmaids. The groom’s mom should only compliment the gowns to be worn by the bride’s mom and bridesmaids, not overdo or outdo them.

The groom’s parents are expected to follow customs and traditions during wedding ceremonies. They will be led by ushers as where they should be seated in the wedding venue.

Other important roles for the groom’s parents

It can be funny, but in the Western or modern culture, the groom’s parents are mainly involved just in funding or shouldering wedding-related bills.

Among the other things the groom’s parents should pay for are the bride’s wedding ring, the clergy fees in the church, transportation expenses of groom’s men, gifts or tokens for groom’s men as well as lodging costs if necessary, gift for the bride and the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages.

Wedding ceremonies are just that---ceremonies. The marriage will not principally depend on the wedding, but a good one will make a good start for the couple. The groom’s parents should be as supportive as ever for their beloved son is embarking on a new life.

The Top Responsibilities of the Maid of Honor

Modern weddings are full of symbolic rituals and a number of key players are assigned particular assignments or titles for the wedding.

Basically, the principal players in every wedding are the bride and the groom. They are the ones who assign people to other players or symbolic titles.

The groom’s best friend and best buddy is named the best man. His counter part, the bride’s reliable maiden friend, is the maid of honor.

Why maid of honor? Because in the old wedding traditions, brides are expected to be virgins. The old and conservative world had it that virginity equals honor. Thus, maid of honors are people who help the bride retain the big V, which in the old times should be given as a primary gift to the husband.

Responsibilities given to the maid of honor

All little girls dream to brides someday. Some want to be maid of honor first before finally hitting it big to be brides.

Being maid of honor can be a fashionable experience. However, there are some responsibilities or expectations from her. The following list will enumerate 17 of the most common duties the maid of honor should hold accountable to during weddings.

1.      You should help the bride address and distribute all wedding invitations to guests. Sometimes, maid of honors are also required to attend wedding announcements.
2.      In adherence to traditional wedding etiquettes, maid of honors must try to attend to all the prenuptial parties. Of course, she should not be there during stag parties, unless she has totally gone nuts.
3.      If possible, it would be sweet if the maid of honor organize a couple’s shower for the soon-to-be bride and groom.
4.      Wedding etiquettes have it that the bride should be assisted by the maid of honor when going away to buy the wedding dress.
5.      As a sign of good breeding and professionalism, maid of honors are expected to come on time during fitting appointments and rehearsals and any other dates assigned by the bride.
6.       Deal with florists for the supply of rose petals that would shower the bride and the groom as they leave the church or the altar. The maid of honor also makes sure that the flower girl is present and knows what she will do with the flowers.
7.      On the wedding day, it is strictly written in all wedding etiquette guides that maid of honors arrive at the wedding venue, usually a church, on time or earlier so she can still assist the bride and the brides maids when they are dressing. Be at least 2 hours ahead of everyone.
8.       She should brief the best man about his responsibilities.
9.      The maid of honor, as wedding etiquettes have it, should take care of the bride’s train during the wedding and when she goes to the receiving line.
10.     The maid of honor should be kind to hold the wedding bouquet when the ceremony gets to the part when the bride and groom exchange rings. Do not, however, forget to hand back the bouquet after that part.
11.     During double ring ceremonies, which seldom happen, she should carry the groom’s ring and hand it to the officiating minister.
12.     Maid of honor follow traditions and wedding etiquettes to coordinate with the official wedding photographer and assist him in identifying the entourage. Candid shots can be ethical as long as the shots are not hilarious to put the persons involved in compromising and awkward situations.
13.     She should be the witness in the signing of the marriage certificate.
14.     The maid of honor is expected to stand with the couple in the receiving line. As a sign that she knows anything about wedding etiquettes, she should traditionally stand to the groom’s left side and the bridesmaids should stand to her left.
15.     Cooperate and coordinate with the best man, and help the bride and the groom depart, at least during certain symbolic rites in the ceremony.
16.     The maid of honor should make sure and help out see that the bride’s demands or designs suggested for her dress is executed by the tailor.

Parting words

You, the bride’s maid of honor should remember that you have a great responsibility in making sure that the wedding would be wonderful for the bride. Your own maid of honor would do the same when its time for you to be the bride. Good luck!

Doing the Wedding Invitation

Weddings should be well-planned. Any bride or groom will not want the one important event in her and his life to be just ordinary. That is why it is important for would-be-wed couples to be enlightened and follow several wedding etiquettes.

A lot of mistakes, misdeeds and bad gestures almost always ruin or spoil weddings. Be it on the part of the bride and the groom, the parents, the guests or even the bride’s maids and groom’s men, there are wedding and proper etiquettes that could be adhered to.

Wedding etiquettes are important so people can show to others that they have been raise well and with good and proper breeding. People’s actions also speak a lot about a person, and most uf us want others to speak good of us.

Wedding etiquettes: From the top

Wedding etiquettes are followed even during the initial stage or phase of the wedding---the planning and short listing of guests.

Today, soon-to-be-wed couples are almost always hiring wedding planners to take care of even the smallest details of the forth coming wedding. 

But there are still several aspects where the couple should attend to personally. For one, doing the wedding invitation should not be left to the wedding planners.

The soon-to-be-wed couple should make sure that their wedding invitation is personalized. Of course, they are overjoyed in their coming blissful matrimony, and it should show and be conveyed through the wedding invitation. 

Sincerity of wordings and aesthetic style of the wedding invitation will certainly do a lot of wonders. 

There are a few other mediums the couple could use today to convey invitations to short listed guests. For one, the guests can be reached through e-mail.

E-mails are almost always informal. Through this, the language used is more personalized, thus, sincerity can be truly and freely conveyed.

Another informal channel if conveying wedding invitations is through word of mouth, or the gossip factory.

Words spread faster than we know. Through this, the invitation is conveyed in the third person manner. For example, a forth coming wedding of John and Gina is conveyed through the following word of mouth entry: “Hey, John and Gina are tying the knot this Saturday, 6 pm at the Imperial Suites. I heard the couple’s wedding would be strictly formal.”

Doing the formal wedding invitation

Most wedding experts and life stylists still recommend formal wedding invitations over other forms of invites.
Formal wedding invitations will convey sincerity, style and seriousness. But did you know that the words used in wedding invitations will equally hold a great weight or bearing as that of the message itself?

In adherence to numerous and multiple wedding etiquette guides, the words in the wedding invitation should be written in the third person. Meaning, the pronouns used should be he, she, him, her, their, them.

The invitations, bearing the third-person writing format should strictly be printed on heavyweight cream, white or ivory paper. Even the font style should be paid much attention to. According to several wedding etiquette books, traditional and formal wedding invitations should be using classic style letter fonts like Roman.

More on wordings for wedding invitations

In our modern times, the couple usually pays for all the costs of the wedding. But did you know that traditionally, it is the bride’s parents who carry the burden?

Western wedding etiquettes have it that the parents of both the bride and the groom can shoulder the expenses for the coming wedding. This may not be economical and likely on the part of the parents, but that is wedding etiquette, and the tradition must live on.

Usually, since the parents are the one covering the wedding and the reception, wedding invitations are written, still in the third person style, but as if the parents are one the inviting the guests.

To illustrate clearly how wedding invitations should be worded in accordance to wedding etiquette guidelines, check on the following examples: 

Traditional third-person wedding invitation styles

---when the bride’s parents are the hosts:

Mr and Mrs Robert Murdoch
Request your honorable presence
At the wedding of their one and only daughter
Cheryl Murdoch
to
Mr Joseph Stokes

---when both the bride’s and the groom’s parents are hosting:

Mr and Mrs Robert Murdoch
and

Mr and Mrs Ronnie Stokes
Request your honorable presence
At the wedding of their one and only daughter
Cheryl Murdoch
to

Mr Joseph Stokes
The examples above show clear and formal invitations in the third person style.
 

So there. If you are planning to get married, pay attention to the invitations you would be distributing. Remember, the wedding invitations should be the first statements you would be releasing as a couple to a number of guests, relatives and friends.

Wedding Etiquette : The Name Order on Invitations

Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful but fulfilling event in a person's life. While you are considering which venue your wedding reception should be held, you should also consider wedding etiquette along the preparations to avoid seeing raised eyebrows and hearing snide remarks from your wedding guests. 

Since a wedding won't start without invited guests, you should learn the wedding etiquette on invitations' name order. Yeah, you might say, do I still need to bother with wedding etiquette on invitations' name order when I need to accomplish more pressing matters such as how should my wedding party be celebrated?

I hate to say this, but you should give your wedding invitation a great deal of time. It is the very first thing that guests would see before the wedding itself and it may be the cause of not so nice confrontation with relatives who believe in traditional way of celebrating wedding ,which includes old fashioned wedding etiquette and even invitations' name order.

Don't be a hard head on this matter. Even if you claim you are the bride of the new millenia, pay for your own wedding, and know how to arrange your own wedding without the help of your old fashioned relatives, you still need to consider the feelings of an old grandmother, or an ailing aunt who wants to have some billing on your wedding invitation.

All you have to do is to learn the basis wedding etiquette and invitations' name order. This way, you will be headache free from demanding but loveable relatives.
What you should know about wedding invitation and announcement etiquette? You should learn the following:

    * Wedding Etiquette on Wedding Invitations' Name Order
    * Wedding Etiquette on Wedding Invitations' Wording and Addressing
    * Assembling My Own Wedding Invitations
    * Wedding Etiquette on the When and the How of Sending Out My Wedding
      Invitations
    * Wedding Etiquette on the How of Mailing Wedding Invitations
You could learn all this by reading Emily Post's book on Wedding Etiquette. It is available in Barnes and Nobles and Amazon stores. It is the best primer for everything that has got to do with wedding etiquette.

We have some few suggestions below about wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order if you are now preparing for your wedding invitations.

* Wedding Etiquette on Wedding Invitations' Name Order

Wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order dictates that whoever is the host of the wedding -- he, she or they -- should be on the top of the billing and is or are the person requesting for the presence of the guests.

*** Here's a wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order the traditional style when it is the bride’s parents who are hosting:

(centered)
Attorney and Mrs. John Bates
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Rachel Anne Batesto
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix

....

*** What's the wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order when the bride’s parents are hosting and the bride wants to include the groom’s parents in the billing?

(centered)

Mr. and Mrs. John Bates
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Rachel Anne Bates
to
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix
...

*** If both the parents will pay for the wedding, here's the wedding etiquette on the invitations' name order:

(centered)
Mr. and Mrs. John Bates
andMr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of
Rachel Anne Bates
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix

...

*** If the bride or groom wish to honor and add on the invitation the name of a deceased parent, below is the wedding etiquette on invitations' name order:

Mrs. John Bates
requests the honour of your presence
at the marriage of her daughter
Rachel Anne Bates
also daughter of the late Mr. John Bates
to
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix
(son of Mr. Robert Phoenix and the late Mrs. Sarah Phoenix)

...
Or, in the alternative,
Rachel Anne Bates
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bates
(or daughter of Mrs. Julia Bates and the late Mr. John Bates)
and
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix
(son of Mr. Robert Phoenix and the late Mrs. Sarah Phoenix)

Wedding Etiquette : Invitations

Some couples think that wedding invitations are not that important. They think that a wedding invitation it is just a piece of paper that they give out to their wedding guest which will be forgotten afterwards.

This is wrong. In fact there is a wedding etiquette even on invitations. This is because wedding invitations give your guests a preview on how your wedding will be celebrated. They will know through wedding invitations what they would wear so they would not commit a violation in wedding etiquette for clothing and dress, and they would know how formal or informal the event may be so they wold know what to expect in the wedding reception.

Also, well made wedding invitations will give a lasting impression on your wedding. Your guests will remember you even through your just your wedding invitation.

Here are some information on wedding etiquette on invitations:

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 1:

What should be the wordings on your invitation?

You can go as formal as you like or as informal as you like. Formal wordings are those that we often see on wedding invitations such as:<br><br>

(centered)
Mr. and Mrs. John Bates
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Rachel Anne Bates
to
Mr. Matthew James Phoenix
son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix
...

You can replace the wordings of the above example and apply your own wordings most especially if it is the couples who will do the inviting. Wedding etiquette on invitations don't prohibit to go as poetic as they want themselves to be or go funny to please their guests as they read the invitation.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 2:

Who should be inviting? Wedding etiquette on invitation is not very rigid. Before, if the father of the bride hosts the wedding, he should be the only person who would do the inviting. But today, couples honor their parents and let them do the inviting and if the couples themselves will fund their own wedding.

Wedding etiquette can now be bent on this matter.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 2:

When to send invitations?

Wedding etiquette on sending out of invitations must be done four to six weeks before the wedding day. But for couples who prepare their wedding one or two years ahead. Then can send out a save a date invititation since many things will be changed along the way. This is also true for couples who want a wedding with wedding destination theme. Wedding etiquette makes it clear that invitations must be sent out earlier than four to six weeks, in fact even six months ahead, so that the guests can make their own hotel reservations ahead of time

But remember, the save a date card is not yet the proper invitation. It is a violation of wedding etiquette to replace a proper wedding invitation with a save a date card. Save a date card just serve as an initial announment about your upcoming wedding. You should give your guests the courtesy to inform them of the exact venue of wedding celebration and reception, the attire and the date and time.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 3:

Remove the tissues that come with engraved invitations. These tissues ar meant to protect the paper from getting ink smudges before the invitation are delivered at your doorstep. It is a wedding etiquette no-no to include them in your invitation. It will ruin the look of your wedding invitation.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 3:

On the issue of registry cards, wedding etiquette on invitation is very clear that registry cards should not be included in the invitation. You may indicate that you have an online registry if you have any and you can ask your guests to visit your online registry. But its a wedding etiquette on invitation blunder if you insert your wedding registry cards. Remember that gifts should always come as a surprise, pleasant or not?

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 4:

Forget RSVP cards. Your guests are adults and should know how to respond to an invitation. There is also wedding etiquette for guests in anwering invitations. They should respond to a formal or informal wedding invite as soon as they get them and response should not be later than two weeks before the wedding.

Wedding Etiquette on Hotel Rooms

A wedding with wedding destination theme has been gaining popularity these days.  Couples are choosing a wedding venue far from home. Invited guests are mostly close friends and families who would take the trouble to do a long drive or fly to the wedding venue just to attend the wedding celebration.

Wedding venues for wedding destination are usually being held on a beach, a botanical garden, or scenic spots.  These places are offered to public for a fee to use the place for wedding ceremony or wedding reception. But most of these wedding destination venues do not offer a place where the bride, groom, the wedding party and wedding guests may stay before the wedding day.  This is the reason why nearby hotels are fully booked even a week before the wedding.

The bride, groom, the rest of the wedding party and the wedding guests are expected to behave and follow wedding etiquette on use of hotel rooms. Yes, wedding etiquette must be observed when using hotel rooms.

For one thing, if you are a bride or a groom and you violated wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms, you will create bad impression on your family name even before the two of you gets married. Or if you are a member of the wedding party or you are a wedding guest and you violated a wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms, you are giving the newly weds a bad name when you should have been helping them create a good name by themselves.

Below are some basic wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms when you have or attending a wedding with wedding destination theme:

-- Wedding etiquette on Proper use of Hotel Rooms Before the Wedding Day

1. The very basic wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms is that the bride and the groom should not share the same suite. Yes, people know that you love each other very much (that is why you are getting married, right?), but please, please save your energy for your wedding day, would you?  You can do whatever you want after the wedding day and you have all the time in the world to spend days and nights in each other's arms.

Besides, there is this old tradition that the bride and the groom should not see each other the night before the wedding day or that the groom should not see the bride in her wedding dress because the wedding will be called of.

If you are sharing the same suite, of course the groom would see the bride not just in her wedding dress but as she wears it. So, for just once, follow the old saying even if it is just a superstition just to avoid seeing raised eyebrows from your family and wedding guests. You might even bring your parents or old relatives to a heart attack if you break this old tradition.

Another wedding etiquette in hotel is that brides should refrain from being a bridezilla to the roomboys, chambermaids, and other hotel personnel. Although it is true that the hotel have got fully booked because of your wedding, you should also remember that you don't employ them, much more own them. 

You should not ask them to run errands that are not related to their work anymore or shout at them when they can't give you your demands as fast as you want them to be.  Stop acting like as though you were the most precious person around because you are getting married in a few hours. Act like a blushing bride with right wedding etiquette and not the other way around.

-- Wedding etiquette on Proper use of Hotel Rooms After the Wedding Day

2. Refrain from getting yourself some hotel souvenirs. If you are a bride, don't mar your newly acquired surname by stealing items that you can easily buy from a  department store.

If you are a guest, please restrain your hands from stealing ash trays, towels or comforters as a memento or souvenir. They are not wedding keepsakes from the bride and the groom. Do not worry, the newlyweds have something special for you.

Basic Wedding Etiquette For Out Of Town Weddings

He proposed and you said yes. After deciding to have an out of town wedding, now comes the most stressful part of the entire engagement: the wedding preparations. As a member of the event, whether as the celebrants, the entourage, family or guests, it is important to know that everyone must observe wedding etiquette for out of town weddings.
 

For the celebrants:

Gift wedding etiquette for out of town weddings are the same as any church wedding. The couple is not allowed to open the gifts before the actual wedding date. This makes it easier to return them should the event be cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances. And like any proper wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, all gifts must be returned when something like that happens.

It is a formality that if the couple has a preference for monetary gifts, as a wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, it is advised not to print it on the invitation. A spreading it by “word of mouth” is much more appreciated.

Another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings is to get a bridal registry. As this is done even before going out of town, there is no problem with signing up and setting it in your favorite store.

Looking for a hotel where all the guests, family and entourage can stay is a very important wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. Choose those near the wedding location, with good amenities and affordable group rates.

For the bride:

The bride is usually asked to follow wedding traditions. As a wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, this is no exemption. The bride is forbidden to see the groom for 24 hours before the wedding ceremony. This is said to increase the longing and anticipation for the event itself.

The bridesmaids must also be aware of the wedding etiquette for out of town weddings when throwing a bridal shower. The best time to throw the party is a week or three days before the big event. Bridal shower wedding etiquette for out of town weddings can be as innocent as a trip to the spa or as wild as a stop at the local men’s strip club. Giving the bride a bachelorette gift is optional.

For the groom:

Since men are not as concerned about the details as the women, the groom’s wedding etiquette for out of town weddings are kept to a minimum. First, he should be helpful to the wedding coordinator and give them whatever they need to make the out of town wedding a success.

Second, he should handle the men and try to avoid any conflicts that alcohol or other issues may arise before the event. And lastly, the groom’s wedding etiquette for out of town weddings is to show up at the altar on the wedding date.

Stag parties thrown by the groom’s friends can get rowdy. Depending on their budget, parties like this happen in hotels or strip joints. The groom must remember the bachelor party wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. The sacred rule of “look but don’t touch” must be carried out to the letter.

Should anything else happen on that night, only the groom and his friends can say. Another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings for stag parties is secrecy. We can only hope that he comes away from the experience gaining a deeper appreciation and love for you.

For the entourage:

A wedding etiquette for out of town weddings concerning the members of the entourage is to make sure that they have all their gowns, suits and accessories ready. Last minute accidents like a broken heels or ripping dresses are unavoidable so be prepared for anything.

Being on time is another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. Since the place is unfamiliar to you, make sure you get to the wedding location about five to ten minutes before the ceremony. If you have not rehearsed the entrance, this buys you enough time to look around and get acquainted with the place.

For the guests:

As a wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, you can make it a special event for yourself by turning it into a mini-vacation. But remember that you are there, first and foremost, at the couple’s request. Sharing in their love and celebration is your obligation and you should do everything to help make the day special for them.

One of the best decisions for a couple is to get a wedding coordinator to handle all the preparations for you. The wedding etiquette for out of town weddings does not require that it should be handled by a third-party. But sometimes a fresh perspective and a commanding personality is what a big event like this needs. All the bride should be doing is to relax and be ready for her walk down the aisle.

Wedding Etiquette for Brides

Whether we admit it or don't Wedding Etiquette is still an important issue to many of us. Don't you hear yourself complaining for some weddings that you have attended? Maybe you have heard some friends who have attended a wedding ceremony and learning after the rites that he or she was not invited for the wedding reception.

Although it is acceptable and is within the Wedding Etiquette standard to invite some guests only at the wedding reception and some only at the wedding reception, the guests should be informed of this fact before hand. These instances want us to shout: Learn some manners!

For brides out there who are getting married next year, it will be for your own good if you would buy Emily Post's book on Wedding Etiquette. It will teach you the Wedding Etiquette basics and Wedding Etiquette blunders. Knowing what violates and follows Wedding Etiquette will help you go through your big day, hassle and stress free.

-- Basic Wedding Etiquette for Brides

On what to wear.

Modern Wedding Etiquette allows brides to wear any design that she want in any color. Brides are not anymore limited to wearing ultra white wedding dress with sleeves. They may wear a tube, halter or spaghetti strapped wedding dress in creme, beige or pastel colors.

But for the sake of Wedding Etiquette, she should also consider her cultural background and her church's dress requirement. If your church requires you to wear a shawl over a tube wedding dress, then you must do so.

If the minister or priest thinks that your red wedding dress is unappropriate for the church and ask you to replace your $10,000 designer wedding dress for a white wedding dress, then you should take it off and buy a white ready-to-wear wedding gown at Macy's.

On who to invite.

It is a basic Wedding Etiquette for a bride to talk to her groom on who and who are not to invite. Remember that the is the two of you who will get married, not only you. It will be a violation of Wedding Etiquette if you will invite persons your groom do not want to get invited or do not want to see, such as your old flame or his old boss that he had an argument eventhough you are in speaking terms with his old boss. It is not just about Wedding Etiquette, it is in fact about the issue of respect.

If it is your second marriage, you should not invite your ex-spouse or your ex-parents-in-law. Even if you are in good terms with your ex, Wedding Etiquette dictates that you should not invite them. This is to avoid unnessary confrontations or wedding drama. Your guest will also feel uncomfortable around your ex.

But there is an exception to this Wedding Etiquette. If your children to your ex-spouse has requested for the presence of their father, then you should talk about it with your groom. If he agrees, then invite your ex to your wedding. But there is an alternative to this, however.

You can invite your guest for a dinner at your home after your wedding or honeymoon. This private dinner is more quiet and will save you the trouble of explaining to your father and mother and other close guests why your ex-husband is in your wedding.

On gift giving and registry.

It is a big Wedding Etiquette no-no to ask for cash gifts from your guests. Although it is a reality that newlyweds need cash as a startup money since they need to rent a bigger place or buy new appliances that the two of them needs, you don't want to look like a greedy bride for asking for some cash.

Let them decide what to give. If they have decided to give you cash, then say your thanks. But don't ever ask them to fund a mortgage or fund a charity that you will establish as a wedding gift.

Registry card is acceptable although modern Wedding Etiquette objects to insertion of the registry card in the invitation. Wedding Etiquette specialists say that brides should put up an online registry card and inform your guests through your invitation that you have an online registry and they may want to look it up in case they would decide to buy you gifts from your registry.

Wedding Etiquette For a Second Marriage

What if your heart beats again for the second time? Scary, isn't it?  Many questions pop-up your mind especially now that he proposed marriage to you.  The first question that your mind have formed was what is the wedding etiquette for a second marriage?

It is a tough question but it needs to be answered. Learning the wedding etiquette for a second marriage will help you lessen the pressure and tension that your first family (which you love so much) have unconsciously thrown at your back.  You need to carry the situation like any sensible adult.

Before, it is a popular thought that second marriage should not be elaborate, extravagant and formal the way a first marriage is celebrated. But today, this belief does not hold true anymore. You can still aim for an intimate, smaller and quieter second marriage but you can also celebrate a festive one, if you prefer and your budget allows you to do so.

What is important is that your second marriage is celebrated the way you would want it to be. Don't limit yourself and do what others expect you to do for a second marriage. Remember, it is you who will get wed and not them. Besides, you would not violate any wedding etiquette by following your heart's desires. 

Here are some information for you on wedding etiquette for a second marriage.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage - Announcing Your Engagement

In getting wed for the second time, your major concerns will be the second marriage's effect on your children, if you have any, and to your close relatives. If you plan to remarry, your children should know first of your decision. You must ready your children for having a new family and new brothers and sisters. Uniting two families will not be stressful for you but for your children, most especially.

The next to be informed are your parents. Of course, they need to be in your wedding and informing them is a sign of courtesy to them. Next will be your ex, especially if you have arranged joint custody for the children. He should know that there will be some changes in your household.

Also, you should wear your new engagement ring. There mustn't have any trace of old flames on your fingers the moment you begin planning and announcing your second wedding.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage - Dress Issue

Widow brides who are getting married for the second time are expected to wear lilac or lavender dress. But these does not hold true nowadays. Wedding etiquette for a second marriage gives bride a chance to wear white dress again. Divorced brides can also wear white dress although they could remove the veil and tiara and instead simply wear flowers on your head.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage - Who to Invite?

When planning for your second wedding, think that you can invite any person you want to attend to your wedding. Refrain from inviting former in-laws and ex-spouses, even if you are on good terms with them. Guests may also feel awkward seeing and being around them.

If your children, however, requested that their father should be in the wedding, try to talk them out about it and tell them how awkward it would feel for the new in-laws and the new groom to see an ex-spouse around. Wedding etiquette for a second marriage does not obligate you to invite an ex-spouse to your second wedding, although you may do so if the situation warranted.

But if your new groom agrees to the idea of inviting an ex-spouse as requested by the children and your ex-spouse agreed on it, then you may invite your ex-spouse to attend your second wedding.

But there is a more sensible idea than inviting your ex-spouse to your wedding. Invite him to a dinner, perhaps at your home, with your children and new husband, if he is up to it. Tell your children that the dinner replaces the wedding invitation and your children may finally agree on not invitating their father on the wedding day. You may do this before or after your wedding or honeymoon.

The Bride’s or Groom’s Father has a Girlfriend

Situation 1. Martha was about to get married. On the wedding day, she, her mother, her bridesmaids and her father’s girlfriend went to the beauty parlor to have their hair done. Upon arrival, they have learned that only one stylist was present.

The situation created a commotion. The father’s girlfriend, being so vain and inconsiderate was the first to manage her hair done. Of course, the mom and the bridesmaids fumed in anger.

Situation 2. Albert was the groom. His father has a current hot girlfriend. The girlfriend was almost of Albert’s age and is obviously just after fun. In short, it was apparent his father’s girlfriend and his dad are just having a fling. Should the girl be invited to the wedding?

There you go. Wedding situations can sometimes get really petty. If you are a bride’s or a groom’s father’s girlfriend, consider your position. Do not ruin some people’s precious moments. Do not settle to steal wedding thunders. Adopt a mature stance even just for the wedding occasion.

Dilemmas

The usual dilemmas brides and grooms encounter involving their father’s girlfriends and their moms will be discussed in this section.

Let us consider this situation. Dory’s father has a girlfriend. He threatens that he will not attend or show up at the wedding if the girlfriend will not be invited. In short, the father wants to display his sexual prowess by tagging along his hot girlfriend in the wedding.

Inviting them both will never be a problem, Dory thought. But the situation got complicated when Dory got to talk to her mother.

Telling the mom of her father’s demand, the mother, of course, got really really angry. There will be no way she can be at the wedding if her father will bring along his girlfriend. The world seems too tight for the three people.

What should Dory do? It is like asking her who she loves more, her father or her mother?

Adhering to the wedding etiquettes, Dory should not choose one. She should instead strategize to avoid being made to choose.

As a wedding etiquette, fathers and mothers should be in the wedding. For Dory’s case, she just told her mom and dad that they would not want to ruin the occasion just because of a tiny dispute. It worked.

Of course, the mom, the dad, and his girlfriend will never get along, but Dory made sure the three will not meet face to face during the occasion. That way, the wedding moved smoothly. No cakes were thrown and no one screamed at each other.

What if the father’s girlfriend is for the long-term?

Bride’s or groom’s father’s girlfriends are not always on the downside. Sometimes there are these girlfriends who are meant or intended to be long time partners.

If that is the case, wedding etiquettes have it that the girlfriend be invited to the wedding. Anyways, she will be a part of the family soon so she should start her function early.

Make sure the ex-wife and the current girlfriend of the bride’s or groom’s father know that each other would attend so both of them will not be surprised. Remember, it is during surprising moments that hot-tempered women act impulsively.

Short-term or flings

If the father’s girlfriend is apparently just a fling or just a short-term relationship, and if the father’s divorce with the mom is not yet through, explain to the father the situation.

Tell him the sanctity of marriage will be symbolized in the ceremony. Tell him, though it may sound not really nice, that bringing in a date especially since he is not yet totally divorced would degrade the solemnity and sanctity of the sacrament.

Explain that whether you dislike his girlfriend or you do like her, people will still see him married to the mother. So he should spare his girlfriend from embarrassment by not bringing her along. The girlfriend might just feel that she is not invited to the wedding anyways.

Fathers should be more understanding because they are assumed to be more mature and wise. Thus, if you are a bride or a groom in those situations, find the strength to deal with the matter with grace and patience. Be diplomatic and talk it out. This will save you your wedding day.

Wedding Etiquette : For the Father of the Groom's Girlfriend

During the 1800 to 1900, the wedding etiquette is that the father of the groom's girlfriend should pay for the wedding expenses. Everything that has to be paid should be paid by the father of the groom's girlfriend.

This was the wedding etiquette before because it is the father of the groom's girlfriend who will decide on everything that her daughter should do, including approval of the man she would marry, the date of the marriage, and how her marriage should be celebrated.

You may now ask, why was it that girls agree to this wedding etiquette and allow their father to decide for themselves? Is this wedding etiquette still applicable up to this time?

This wedding etiquette was not being questioned during those times. Any decision by the father of the groom's bride is always respected. Even the bride themselves did not think that they were being oppressed. They thought and believe that they were being taken care of fully.

During those times, the father of the grooms bride feed his daughter, took care of her and brought her to lady manners school to learn and practice the right way of socializing, dressing, and speaking. Every teenage daughters in a middle to upper class families were required to attend finishing schools. This was done to teach the bride the proper wedding etiquette and to ready her for the life of a married lady.

So, when the father had decided that her daughter was ready to get married, he will announce his daughter's debut and would held a party for her to announce her coming of age. All suitors would be, of course, under the father's scrutinizing eye. He will only accept suitors that he thinks could feed and take care of her daughter.

If the father has chosen the suitor of his choice and his daughter agrees, the engagement will be announced.

Because of wedding etiquette, the father of the groom's bride won't ask a single penny from the father or parents of the groom. The father of the groom's bride should have saved enough money to celebrate the wedding of his daughter in the way her daughter wants it and the way he, the father, wants it to be held.

So, if he wants an extravagant and festive wedding celebration complete with ball, he should save have saved money the moment he learnt that her child is a she.

Today, however, things have changed. Because of high cost of living and that the brides are not too dependent on their father or parents and are earning their own money as well, the wedding etiquette has bent slightly. Although the modern wedding etiquette does not stop the father of the groom's girlfriend to pay for the wedding, he is not compelled to refuse the help of the groom's parents or their desire to co-host the wedding.

Getting married these days is very costly and it requires a great fortune on the part of the father of the groom's girlfriend. Everyone can contribute to the wedding, financially and of services.

The modern wedding etiquetted does not oblige or compel the father of the groom's girlfriend to shoulder the entire wedding expenses, most especially if he now has a new family and young children that he needs to feed. The traditional wedding etiquette, the father of the groom's girlfriend paying for the wedding cost, may still be done these days only by fathers with great fortune. Daughters should be understanding enough of these situations.

In fact even the groom and her girlfriend can finance their own wedding without the help of their parents. With couples these days preparing their wedding ahead, a year or two, they can have an ample time to save cash for their wedding.

But if the father of the groom's girlfriends has decided to co-host the wedding, the bride and the groom should be sensitive of their feelings and should accept the offered help. Parents want to be part of the most special day of their child and we should not deny them in satisfying themselves by helping out cover some wedding costs.

Weddings Brings Back The Love For Divorced Parents

Dealing with divorced parent in a wedding can be tricky and complicated. While coping with the situation will be stressful particularly for the brides, having a beautiful wedding despite having divorced parents is never impossible.

Divorced parents of the bride or groom should participate in the wedding ceremony. In addition, they also to the rehearsal dinner even if they will likely act horribly. Not inviting the parents will create more trouble. The parents may or may not have to host the rehearsal dinner, which is supposedly one of the most relaxing portions of the wedding process.

Indicating in an Invitation

-       The name of the mother is the first written then followed by the father. The word “AND” cannot be used between the names.

-       The names of the mother and stepfather can be written in the invitation if the father has not been involved in the life of the bride or groom since she/he was a baby.

-       The individuals whose names are appearing on the invites do not have to be always the ones paying for the wedding despite popular belief. 

Sharing in costs

The couple should consider opening a checking account that will solely contain expenses for the wedding. The divorced parents should be asked on how much they can contribute. It is advisable to ask a check for a lump sum that will be deposited to the wedding account in order to make the money easily accessible whenever it is needed.

Seating arrangement

If the divorced parents are not speaking with each other, it is advisable that the two should be seated apart from the each other. One of them might be attending with someone the other parent cannot be comfortable with. Etiquette dictates that mother and stepfather occupy the first row, while father and stepmother sit on the second row.

However, the divorced parents can be seated with each other if they are on good terms but will likely have to stay in different areas during the reception.

No families are the same, as each has different problems and scenarios that affect relationships. Communication is the most important way to keep relationships strong. The couple have a responsibility of keeping the divorced informed about the progress of the wedding and they should also be given a chance to contribute. Never compare the behaviour of one parent to another, as this could result in conflict.

A wedding ceremony follows certain etiquette in order to make the occasion flow seamlessly.

-       In a semi-private wedding, bridesmaids and groomsmen should perform certain responsibilities in assisting the bride and groom.

-       The bridesmaids should obviously be younger than the bride and their outfils should complement each other. The dresses of the bridesmaids can include more ornaments and composed of light and graceful fabric. Flowers should serve as the main decoration.

-       The wedding gown should be very simple but can be combined with few jewels or ornaments coming from the parents or groom. The most attractive part of the dress should be the garland and veil.

-       The bridesmaids should help the bride in wearing the wedding gown and attending to guests. Bridemaids should position themselves at the bride’s left side during the ceremony. The first bridesmaid should be responsible in keeping the bouquet and gloves.

-       Bridesmaids can be positioned from the tallest to the shortest from the couple in order to be symmetrical. A bridesmaid and groomsman with similar height can be paired with each other.

-       The groomsmen are assigned to receive the clergyman and then lead him to the couple. They should be positioned groom’s right side during the wedding ceremony.

Ceremony in Church

The bride enters from the left side walking with her father followed by her bridesmaids. The groom enters the room from the right and is followed by his groomsmen. The parents come from behind the entourage, while the attendants can stand from either side.

The glove of the bride does not need to be snug, as it will be taken off later in the ceremony. In addition, the ring should be placed where the groom can easily see it to avoid delaying the ceremony.

A Western Flare For Your Wedding

Applying a western theme to you wedding is a sure way to make that special occasion a truly memorable. From country music to cowboy hats, this theme is designed to make your gets feel like they are back in the old wild west and party all night screaming “Yee-haw”!

A western wedding also means that parts of the ceremony will be made outdoors. Ideal locations include parks and back yards. A mountainous area will make a perfect back drop if you live in the West. If not, other locations to hold your western wedding include an old barnhouse, grange hall or dance hall.

Watching some western movies will help give you an idea on what you should be wearing. Based on wedding etiquette, the bride can wear a Victorian dress if you truly want that Old West look. For a more contemporary look, go for lace or denim. The cowboy can be decorated with a cowboy hat with a little touch of craft glue.

The groom can wear cowboy boots, hats and bolo ties. Western ornaments can be found in antique shops and flea market. These can be used as decoration. Ask the bridesmaids and groomsmen to look for such items in order to get themselves acquainted. 

Using a horse is a nice way to add some serious spice to a western wedding. The bride and groom can each ride a horse and can even express their vows while on horseback. If possible, rent a horse-and-carriage to ride away from the ceremony afterwards. The could should make a list western music they would like to play during the festivities.

Country artists that can be considered include Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette and the Dixie Chicks.

A special wedding CD can be given to guests if you feel generous. Each time they listen to the music they will remember your special day. 

Western delicacies can also be serves and cooking them during the even itself will give guests a taste of the West. An open-pit barbecue is advisable, and will release a hickory scent. Coleslaw, baked potato and beans can go with the barbecue.

During the evening, a nice warm bonfire can be used to toast marshmallows and skewers from the cowboys and cowgirls chilling around.

Cowboy Hats For Weddings

NATURAL MULTI TAN ROLLED EDGE BRIM CASUAL COWBOY HAT

Simple hat has matching colors flowing throughout it's weave. Soft and pliable to the touch because of its poly braids. Continuous use of the hat helps improves its condition.  Can be easily shaped and ideal for staying at the beach, shopping, sporting events or any casual outings.

Size    One size fits most
Special Features        Grosgrain sweatband 
Brim Size (approx).     3.5" inches at widest point
Circumference (approx).22" inches
Colors within this hat  Tan with beige stripes, crème and yellow
Material        100% Polyester
Origin  Imported


Peter Grimm Drifter Straw Cowboy Hat

This cowboy hat for weddings is made of Flat Morocca Straw.  Features an Elastic Sweatband for moisure-wicking and comfort. Has metal eyelets and the hat has a Pre-curved Brim for ultimate comfort.  The Brim has a flexible wire inside making it simple to shape.  This hat is similarly designed like the well-known Shady Brady, but not as expensive.

TAN & GOLD BENDED BRIM AMBER BEADED BAND COWBOY HAT

A cowboy hat for glitz and shimmer. A metallic embossed blended paper braid shapeable cowboy hat.  Ideal for those that lounge around the beach or a concert or clubs. This hat is designed with an attractive faux amber and antiqued gold ornate chain, which dangles off the back to make it more beautiful.

ARDEN B LILAC STRAW COWGIRL SEXY

This attractive hat from Arden B is created with of knit straw and dye giving it that somewhat worn out look. Comes with folded sides and elastic to help fit most head sizes.

The Right Way to Dress : Wedding Etiquette for Clothing

In our modern society, no one would care if you break a small rule or bend some rules to make accommodate your wishes. And this also applies to wedding ettiquette + clothing. You can break some wedding etiquette rule according to your wishes.

Although old and traditional rules have now been modified, you should learn the basic wedding etiquette on clothing before you bend some and break some.

Below are some guide for you, bride-to-be, on wedding etiquette + clothing:

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Bride

Traditionally the bride wears white. This is said to signify virginal purity and innocence. But these days there's a slight changes in wedding etiquette on clothing for bride. Brides are now allowed to wear a variation of white, such as ivory, creme, and pale pastel colors to match the wedding's color motif.

For a widow bride who will wed for the second time, the tradition is for a bride to wear lilac or lavander. However, modern brides don't follow this tradition faithfully. Even ministers and priests allow widow brides to wear wedding dress that they feel appropriate. In fact modern wedding etiquette + clothing on widow bride is cream or ivory colored wedding dress.

For a church wedding, brides are asked to wear formal and more traditional wedding dress. The old wedding etiquette on clothing for church wedding has been kept for centuries although the church do allow creme colored wedding dress and a tube and low back style wedding dress as long as the shoulders are draped with semi-transparent cloth or the veil covers it.

With wedding that will be held at the registry office or which is more know as the civil wedding ceremony, brides are allowed to wear any wedding dress that they like. Simple evening dress may do, even your regular working clothes may do. With civil wedding ceremony, the rule on wedding etiquette + clothing do not apply.

Of course, if you want to avoid cringing at your photograph when people look at it or if you yourself look at it in the future, don't try to wear a wedding dress that don't look good at you. Forget the wedding etiquette on clothing, just follow the few good teachings of street smart sensibilities. Extreme fashion didn't look good yesterday and won't look good today and tomorrow.

The wedding etiquette on clothing if the bride is formally dressed, the rest of the wedding party and wedding guests should be formally dressed.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Groom

The traditional wedding etiquette on clothing for the groom, the male members of the family and the groomsmen should wear morning dress. For evening weddings the modern wedding etiquette on clothing for groom is Tuxedo and black bow tie. For civil ceremonies, groom may wear suit or match the dress theme of his bride. If his bride will sport a summer look, he should wear a soft, flowing, linen polo and beige cotton pants to match his bride's summer get-up.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Bridesmaids

Wedding etiquette on clothing for bridesmaid dictates that bridesmaids should wear any dress that the bride chooses for them. However, bridesmaids may choose to dress differently with each other. It is acceptable that bridesmaids have different dress the designs. The only thing that they should maintain is the color of the dress. They should wear the same color, the color that the bride requires.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Male Attendants

Ushers and best man cannot choose the dress that they want. They will dress the same as the groom. If the groom wears a morning dress or a tuxedo and a black bow tie, then so will they.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Immediate Family

Any close family will dress formally. The two mothers, that of the bride and  the groom, must not both wear dress of the same color, while the fathers wear any dress that the groom chooses. The choices, however, is just between black tie and morning dress.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Guests

The invitation speaks what guests should wear. A formal invitation requires them to wear a formal attire. Modern wedding etiquette on clothing for guests has allowed male guests to wear black tie even if the wedding is a bit informal. For the female guests, they are now allowed to wear evening dress to match their partner's black tie.