Denver Florists, Wedding Etiquette, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Receptions

Wedding Etiquette - Wedding Celebrations and Ceremony

Have questions about your wedding like, who to invite or who throws the shower and what about engagement parties?  Oh and don't forget the ceremony

We asked some experts and here's what they said;






Also visit these sites for helpful info
www.weddingwire.com      www.bridalguide.com

www.emilypost.com/wedding    

Who gets invited to the rehearsal dinner?

According to the rules of etiquette, only those who participate in the actual rehearsal for the wedding get an invite to its namesake dinner. But now it’s increasingly common to include out-of-town guests and close family members in the night-before festivities. If you’re concerned that adding extra heads might undercut the significance of the main event (and seriously blow out your budget), then host an intimate meal for those who attend the run-through and meet others later for drinks.

What can we do at the shower so that my fiance's family and mine can get to know each other?

First, work with your hostess to ensure that there’s a good mix of people from both families at every table. Then, ask a few stealth assistant hostesses to make a special effort to draw everyone into the conversation. Or, for a less centralized approach, try shower games designed to get people to talk about themselves.

Can my friend and aunt each throw me a bridal shower?

A bride can have more than one shower, as long as the guest lists are different. If both women are planning to invite the same people to their showers, suggest that they collaborate on a joint celebration instead. The exception to that rule: Your mom, future mother-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, and some times attendants are usually invited to every shower thrown in your honor. Just remind them that they needn’t attend all of them, and that if they attend more than one, they don't need to give you more than one present.

How can we invite guests to a post-reception gathering without implying that we’re paying?

The after-party is separate from the wedding, so treat it as such. Don’t include information about it on your invitation. Instead, as the reception draws to a close, verbally recruit livelier guests to continue the fun, saying, “We’re going to a club after the wedding.” The informality of this invite gets the message to those who want to join and allows guests to decline politely. Most of the guests who join you will expect to buy their own drinks, but if the question comes up, be direct.

How soon should we have the engagement party and how formal should it be?

Plan to party no later than three months after the engagement. Traditionally, the bride’s parents host, but any family member or friend may (except the couple themselves). It’s usually up to the host to choose the formality, and the party itself isn’t usually very structured; the couple should greet guests as they arrive and at some point, the host should “announce” the engagement and toast the couple.

Can we invite people to our engagement party who won't be invited to our wedding?

A few sources suggest you can include people who won’t be on the final guest list for the wedding itself. However, doing so can present some problems for you down the road, especially if those guests assume they are shoo-ins for your reception and would be hurt otherwise. This is an argument for keeping this guest list tight, since you most likely haven't finalized your wedding guest list.

How can we ask people not to take pictures during the ceremony?

First you can let them take photos but not to use the flash. The flash is what most people don't want.

If you don't want any at all, then we'd suggest useing a double-pronged approach to let people know: First, insert a line in the program, below the processional, that says "No photographs during the ceremony, please," or some such. Second, have your ushers tell people as they're seated that you've requested no photographs until the end of the ceremony. Once it's time for the kiss, pause at the top of the aisle to give people a chance to take a picture right before you walk out.

Can we ask guests to stand during our outdoor ceremony?

It depends on how long your ceremony will be. A secular ceremony can be as short as ten minutes or as drawn out as 40. Remember that guests will also be on their feet as they wait for the ceremony to begin. It's a good idea to provide some seating for guests who arrive early, or those for whom any amount of standing is too much. The "no chairs" plan works best for a small guest list of about 50 people. Beyond that, you'll want to have some sort of organizational structure at the site. like a focal point so guests know where to look, like a raised platform, a runner, or floral arrangements.

What does my friend need to do in order to officiate my wedding?

Generally speaking, every state allows ordained religious leaders, as well as judges, justices of the peace, and a few other government workers, to perform weddings. In recent years, some online organizations permit anyone to become a minister in a matter of minutes, no questions asked.

Do we need to invite our justice of the peace to the reception?

Probably not. But the authority he or she brings is what actually legitimizes the marriage, so it might feel abrupt to dismiss him immediately after the service. Consider inviting your officiant to the cocktail hour, especially if you spent much time working with him preparing the service. That invite can be issued verbally. In a case where the justice of the peace has no additional responsibilities and is not previously known to you, you are not obligated to invite him—and he is most likely not expecting an invitation. If your officiant helps you rehearse, you may want to invite him to the rehearsal dinner. Justices of the peace who charge for their time at a rehearsal, however, needn't be included.

We're hesitant to have our ring bearer hold the rings. What else could we have him do?

You may worry about entrusting a 4-year-old with your platinum bands, but some careful management will allow you to safely send the rings down the aisle with him. Have the maid of honor hold the rings and tie them to the pillow just before the procession begins; when your ring bearer gets to the front, he can hand the pillow directly to the best man, who will then transfer the rings to his pocket. Rings can also travel in a box or another container that will be more secure than a pillow and make you worry less. Still anxious? Let him carry a less valuable item down the aisle, like a unity candle, flowers for the mothers, or a book that the readers will use. Talk with your officiant to brainstorm other ideas.

Is it rude to ban guests from the bridal suite?

No, it would not be rude at all. In fact, it is perfectly understandable to restrict people from coming in and out of the bridal room. Your best bet for keeping the bridal suite from turning into a preceremony receiving line is to place a bridesmaid or usher on door duty. Have her politely but firmly tell guests you're getting ready, and that you can't wait to greet them after the ceremony. Or, post a sign on the door that states, "Mother of the bride and bridal party only."
Once you've decided on a closed-door policy, don't make any exceptions. Guests should certainly understand your need for privacy and will be just as happy to say their congratulations after the ceremony.