Flower girls and ring bearers should be between four and eight years of age. While a two-year old may be really cute, this tiny person is not predictable. Go for adorable, sentimental, and age appropriate.
If you elect to elope, don’t worry about offending anyone. Send out a photo postcard, along with a printed message that conveys the when and where you got married, and then ask for blessings from the recipients. Plan either an elaborate party or have an informal gathering to celebrate.
Although bridal registries are a great time-saving system, it is offensive to include registry information with your wedding invitation. Leave that to the people planning your shower.
Although there is a rumor out there that the wedding couple has a year to send “thank-you cards” for gifts, most gift-givers would prefer not more than three month’s time before receiving an acknowledgement for their thoughtfulness.
Yes, you are exhausted after the wedding, but don’t skimp on your thank-you’s by pre-printing a verse on a photo card. Your guests invested in your celebration by giving their time, money and thoughtful gifts to you; in return, you must be gracious and write a personalized thank-you note. It’s simple etiquette.
Your maid or matron of honor and best man are in positions of esteem, but don’t assume that they know what is expected of their roles. Plan to have tactful conversations about the duties you expect them to perform and make it fun and meaningful. Find articles that cover this information rather than verbal instructions.
Consider the tone of your voice when dealing with family members who are helping out. Relationships last longer than the day of your wedding and the words you use will either create a foundation of kindness and thankfulness, or will set up resentment.
If your wedding is earlier in the day and there is a long span of time until the reception, don’t feel that it’s necessary to entertain everyone. Plan activities for your bridal party and don’t worry about the other guests; they will find something fun or relaxing to do.
If you’re trying to be pretentious and are using your elaborate wedding to promote something you’re not, it will show through. Better to be genuine and feel comfortable on your most meaningful day.
Be careful with monetary expectations for your bridal party. Offering to pay for portions of the showers is a good-will gesture.
Acknowledging your guests and personally greeting them is more important than having an over-the-top event. Make every effort to show gracious attention to everyone you invite. If the numbers appear too much, cut back.
Don’t be rude to anyone – whether vendors, service people or your bridal party and friends. You will set the tone for a graceful and loving wedding if you mind your manners. You must set the example.
Think twice about inviting people to just the reception and not the dinner. They will most certainly find out and the hurt feelings aren’t worth the savings.
Track those gifts and thank you notes. It’s so important to have a fool-proof system to record gifts received and thank you notes sent. With a flood of gifts coming in, and so many notes to write, if you rely solely on memory you’ll become quickly overwhelmed. Thoughts of “did we send Aunt Velma a thank you note yet?” can haunt you.