Ask The Wedding Planner is your chance to ask us wedding planning questions. We love to hear from brides and grooms (and anyone else) who have questions about planning or attending a wedding.
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Ask us a question you are battling with while planning your wedding. Any wedding topic is acceptable, and feel free to add photos as well.
Click below to see contributions from other brides to this page...
Second Wedding Celebration
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Is it okay to have a small family wedding at home (30 people) and then get remarried in Mexico (that is where my daughter really wants to get married)?
But,...
Beach Princess Wedding Theme
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I am having a really hard time deciding how to theme my wedding! My fiancé proposed to me on the beach, he opened a beautiful clam shell and inside was ...
Including Sisters in the Wedding Party
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Hi there,
I am recently engaged, and am in the process of choosing the wedding party. We still have a year until the big day so we realize we have ...
Wedding Bouquet Preservation
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Hi! I love the idea of preserving my bouquet in a shadowbox or bubble frame, but the prices are soooo high on most sites.
Does anyone know of a reputable ...
Mackinac Island
Beach Wedding Question
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My boyfriend and I are hoping to have our wedding on the beach at Mackinac Island, MI. We've looked everywhere about information on how to go about doing ...
Out Of Town Wedding!
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My fiancé & I live (& will be wed) in Arizona in the spring of 2011. However, my entire family lives in Kentucky and his in Nebraska.
We will be ...
Choosing A Wedding Song
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I am kind of on a hunt to find the perfect wedding song. My friend just got married and her song was "Timeless" by Kelly Clarkson.
Do you have any ...
About Bridal Party
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Need to know about bridal party.
Our Thoughts
To answer your question, we need a little more information. Can you expand a little and let us know ...
Bridesmaid Flowers
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We are having a garden wedding! I myself will be wearing ivory so when it comes to my bouquet I can have a range of colours. But, my bridesmaids are wearing ...
Wedding Vendor Contracts
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I'm wondering if you have any experience or advice canceling a contract with a wedding vendor.
I have a friend who booked a vendor in Pennsylvania that ...
Asking For Cash Wedding Gifts
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My fiancé and I would prefer to receive cash for our wedding gifts, as we want to buy a house soon! I already have the china, the linens, and more kitchen ...
Wedding Reception Chair Covers
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I am getting married this September and the chairs at the venue I've chosen are red and blue!! My colors for the wedding are yellow black and white. My ...
Wedding Thank You Notes
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The chaos of relocating and finalizing the wedding plans have resulted in my missing the appropriate window for sending thank yous for the shower which ...
Forest Wedding Ceremony Location
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Hi,
We are looking for a forest background for our wedding ceremony. We have been looking around and found a few places.
These places are either ...
Deceased Parents On Wedding Invitations
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Should deceased parents be listed on a wedding invitation?
Our Thoughts
This is a really great question. Sadly you are not required by wedding ...
Wedding Invitation Response
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The RSVP card from a wedding invitation that we recently received simply says:
“Your favor of response would be greatly appreciated by September 30,...
Wedding Proposal Gift
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Should mother of the bride give a gift when proposal is made?
Our Thoughts
While there is not strict wedding etiquette about giving a ...
Wedding Pew Bow
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Hi,
I am trying to help my sister locate the name of the wedding pew bow pictured. We found this photo on the internet but it was titled "paper pinwheel....
Sight Impaired Wedding Planning
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My future daughter in law is sight impaired and can only see maybe a foot in front of her. She has no idea of what her wedding could be plus we are working ...
Asking For No Wedding Gifts
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How can we tell our family and friends we don't want wedding gifts and that their presence at our wedding is all that we want? We don’t want to offend ...
Choosing My Wedding Colors
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I'd love input on wedding color palettes you think would look nice!
Here's the deal: We're getting married at the World's Fair Pavilion early next September....
Vineyard Wedding Dancing Under The Stars
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We are having dinner inside at a vineyard and are considering putting up a small awning for the band and then not tenting the dance floor for the wedding ...
Wedding Shower Gift For Bride
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My future daughter-in law lives out of state, so I will not be able to attend her wedding shower. Am I expected to send a gift?
Our Thoughts ...
Inviting Friends To Sons Wedding
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Our son says that he wants no one at the wedding that he does not know. We have friends of 30 years that he has not seen much at all and he is not allowing ...
Planning A Wedding
In Two Different States
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My boyfriend and I met online over 2 years ago and have been trying to plan our wedding in a couple of years. An obstacle we keep running into is that ...
Last Minute Wedding Guests
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Is it rude to invite guest three weeks away from the wedding? We had to invite family to keep the peace but many are not coming
Is it ok to call and ...
Wedding Invitation Wording
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My future daughter in law had the wedding invitations printed up without anyone seeing them first. They say "Mr David and Denise North invite you to share ...
Gangster Wedding Theme
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My fiancé wants a 1920s gangster style wedding and I want a country/sunflower theme. If we were vintage dresses and gangster style tuxes do we have to ...
Giving of the Bride
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My father is deceased and I am wondering if its best to just walk down the isle alone?
Our Thoughts
This is a very personal choice. I have ...
25th Anniversary Reaffirmation Wedding
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We are having a small wedding after 25 years of marriage. We never could afford one and this is the perfect time to have one for family/friends that impacted ...
Kids at Wedding
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My mom wants an adult reception and she’s paying for it. My fiancé wants to have kids there.
I want a little of both I would rather just have no children ...
Missing Wedding Gift
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After the affair was over and we opened all the gifts, we realized we didn't have one from a close relative. How do we tactfully find out if one was given?...
Wedding Gift Giving
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I received my own invitation to my boyfriends daughters wedding does that mean I have to give my own gift?
Our Thoughts
Good wedding gift ...
Wedding Gift Thank You
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What is the best way to say thank you for wedding money gifts?
Our Thoughts
An eloquent way to say thank you is to simply state: Thank ...
Wedding Minister Payment
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What is the expected reimbursement for the minister at a wedding?
Our Thoughts
Over the years as a wedding planner my client's ask me ...
Wearing White To Rehearsal Dinner
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Is it acceptable to wear white to someone's rehearsal dinner?
Our Thoughts
Wearing white to the rehearsal dinner the night before the ...
Second Wedding Gift
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Our friend recently got married for the second time and we could not attend the wedding. Normally for a first marriage, I would send a wedding gift. But ...
Parents Guest List For Wedding
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If the bride and groom are hosting the wedding, who can the parents invite as wedding guests?
Our Thoughts
To begin, I would suggest making ...
No Kids At Wedding
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How can I nicely go about saying that we do not wish to have children at the reception? Can I put it on the invitation or reception card?
Our ...
Wedding Reception Open Bar
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Is the bride’s family or groom’s family responsible for cost of alcohol at a wedding reception?
Our Thoughts
In a "traditional” wedding,...
Mixing Wedding Themes With Seasons
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My fiancé and I are both teachers, so it looks like the summer is our best option to have a wedding because we'll have a lot of free time. However, we ...
Standing Up For Mother At Her Wedding
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My mother is getting remarried and she has asked me to stand up for her, what does that mean?
Our Thoughts
That simply means she would ...
Wedding Gift For Son
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How much should a cash gift to our son for his wedding be as we are both retired? This is his first wedding and we are traveling from NY to VA for the ...
Royal Blue Wedding Color
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I already bought the bridesmaids dresses last summer so I can't change them. The dresses are royal blue.
The problem is I want the wedding to look ...
Gift From Father of the Bride
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Do you have any ideas on how to do something - say something, present something to my daughter by me (father of the bride) and her two little boys?
My ...
Mutual Best Friend Getting Married
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My wife and I have a mutual best friend (groom.). My wife and I do not know any of the brides friends or family and my wife will not know anybody at the ...
Wedding Planning - Where To Start
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I originally wanted to go abroad for my wedding but my partner wanted his family around. Also, it would cost more to get everyone abroad than staying in ...
Cinderella Wedding Theme Colors
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Hello, my name is Wennetta and I am a DIY bride. My wedding is September 18, 2010, theme is Cinderella and my colors are royal blue, white,& silver.
I ...
Ideas For Wedding Themes
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My boyfriend and I have been thinking bout getting married, and we want to do a theme that is lost cost but fits both of us.
I’m a small town country ...
Travel For An Out Of State Wedding
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I'm in a wedding party, and the wedding is taking place out of state.
Who pays for my travel and room, and do I give a gift on top of all my expenses?...
Asking For No Wedding Gifts
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My fiancé and I getting married for our 2nd time and already established, would prefer if guests did not buy gifts for us. How do we tactfully say that ...
Wedding Photographers Thank You Note
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We want to pay our daughter's friends (a couple) who were the photographers at her wedding. Our daughter will be sending the couple a separate thank you ...
Destination Wedding Attire
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I am having a destination wedding in the British Virgin Islands on the beach, and I am having the rehearsal dinner on the beach and it is casual.
How ...
Bridal Shower Invitation But No Wedding Invitation
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If invited to bridal shower, is it proper etiquette to also be invited to wedding?
Our Thoughts
You are correct.
Proper wedding etiquette ...
Whose Wedding Is It Anyway Casting Couples For Season 11
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NOW CASTING SEASON 11 OF “WHOSE WEDDING IS IT ANYWAY?”
Are you or someone you know planning your wedding day, but the never-ending tasks keep getting ...
Wedding Invitation Response
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I recently received an invitation to my nephew's wedding. RSVP was a website or phone number (one or the other of the bride's divorced parents? Didn't ...
Wedding Timing
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I was engaged last august and am now planning my wedding. My niece just got engaged and is planning her wedding for June 2011. I want to get married in ...
Paying For Wedding Flowers
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What flowers is the groom responsible for besides the wedding bouquet?
Our Thoughts
In most wedding's today the bridal couple is footing most of ...
Paying For The Rehearsal Dinner
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My son is on his second marriage, however for the bride this is wedding number one. My husband and I paid for the first rehearsal dinner, and do not feel ...
Wedding After Party
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We're hosting a wedding and dinner in Las Vegas, and then heading to a pub for an informal get-together. How do we politely tell our guests that we are ...
Father Of The Bride Toast
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Does the father of the bride typically toast the bride or couple?
I am walking me niece down the aisle, her father passed away. I am wondering if I ...
Bridal Shower Hostess Gift
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As a bride, do I give the hostess of my bridal shower a gift?
Our Thoughts
If you feel inclined because she is someone special to you, then by ...
Wedding Thank You Notes
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I was wondering what is the proper etiquette for writing a thank you card for a makeup artist, wedding planner, and pastor?
Our Thoughts
We have ...
Wedding Planner Tip
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Do you tip your wedding planner cash or with a gift?
Our Thoughts
When it comes to gratuity, 99% of the time it should be given in the monetary ...
Gift For The Bride
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Our daughter is getting married soon and her "something blue" is going to be the blue sapphires on the diamond and blue sapphire bracelet we are giving ...
Picking Wedding Colors
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I would like to say I dance to another beat to the drums. I want a traditional/off-beat wedding. Best of both worlds I would like to call it so would red,...
Wedding Location Etiquette
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I'm recently engaged, but my fiancé and I live in two different states (Georgia and Alabama). We seem to agree on everything but where to have our wedding....
Starting A Wedding Planning Business
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I have high energy, great with details, love working independently, planned many dinners for self and friends, have business ownership experience, etc....
Gift Cards For Wedding Gifts
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The couple has previously both been married with homes completely furnished. They want to add on a bedroom and would like to just receive Lowes gift cards....
Wedding Reception Table Linens
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The hotel where we are having our wedding has only white linens. I would like to use copper table toppers over the white linens (my florist suggested ...
Groom and Mother in Law Dance
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I am a wedding planner in SE Arkansas, and this particular issue has never come up before. The bride's mother has rheumatoid arthritis and is limited to ...
Outside Wedding Venue
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I am choosing a costly outdoor wedding venue. I have learned that they will hold an event a month prior to my wedding date in which the garden area grass ...
Wedding Guest List Protocol
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What is the protocol for who to invite to a wedding? I live in PA, and I've been invited to some of my friends' weddings who live in a different state....
Wedding Shower Gift Etiquette
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How should a wedding shower gift from the bridegroom’s grandmother be addressed? To both the bride and groom or just the bride?
Our Thoughts
The ...
wedding planning event
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I'm hosting a wedding planning event at my work and I'm wondering if you have any ideas on money saving things I can cover or unique ideas stuff like that!...
Formal Wedding Guest Attire
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1. Can I wear black to a formal Saturday night wedding?
2. And, if yes, can I still wear black if the bridesmaids are wearing black?
Our Thoughts ...
Thank You Gift For Wedding Planner
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Does anyone have any suggestions for a thoughtful or appreciated thank-you gift for a wedding planner?
Our Thoughts
First, write a well thought ...
Post Wedding Brunch
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Who would traditionally host a brunch the morning after the wedding?
Our Thoughts
The post wedding brunch can be a nice idea for many reasons,...
Stand Up For A Person At A Wedding
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I have been asked to "stand up" for my father at his wedding. I don't know if "stand up" is like a matron of honor/best man.
I don't support this marriage ...
Wedding Planner vs Hotel Wedding Planner
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I am not getting married for another year and I definitely want to hire a wedding planner. The hotel that I wish to use for our wedding has a wedding ...
Aunts Role In Nieces Wedding
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My niece is getting married, and I am not sure what my role is in planning the wedding and also on her wedding day (I am her only Aunt)?
Our ...
Time Limit For Wedding Gifts
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My son got married 6 months ago. Our friends say they have one year to give them a wedding gift. What is the time limit for giving a wedding gift?
Our ...
How To Become a Wedding Planner
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Hi, my name is Casey, 19 yrs old, Sopchoppy Fl.
It has always been my life long passion of mine to be a wedding planner, I know it can be hard work ...
Wedding Personal Attendant Attire
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I am thinking about having a personal attendant. I am curious what the general accepted rule is for her? Does she wear the same the dress as the bridesmaids ...
Wedding Location Question
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My fiancé and I are planning to marry on July 4th of this year, and at first all the ideas sounded easy and I'm coming to find that it isn't so much.
For ...
Out of Town Wedding Gifts
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Our wedding is going to be out of town (we live in Colorado but will have our wedding in California). We do not want to have a bunch of gifts to mail ...
Requesting Gift Card Wedding Gifts
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My fiancé and I just moved across the country a couple months ago. Our wedding is this June and to limit travel for the guests, we will be traveling back ...
Asking For Gift Card Wedding Gifts
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What is the proper way to ask for gift certificates or gift cards when the bride and groom are relocating to another state immediately after getting married?...
Bridal Shower Gift and Wedding Gift
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If you gave a Wedding Shower gift is it expected to also give a gift at the wedding?
Our Thoughts
Yes, a wedding shower gift and a wedding gift ...
Color Wedding Theme
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I have a knack for planning parties, so I am helping my daughter plan her wedding. I have come up with several possible themes for her to consider, but ...
Destination Wedding Questions
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My daughter lives in Philadelphia, we live in IN, very small farming community. She would like to have a destination wedding.
She has been trying ...
Wedding Gift Etiquette Question
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Do you have up to a year to give a wedding gift?
Our Thoughts
Yes, wedding etiquette says that you have up to a year after the wedding to give ...
Father of the Bride
Wedding Protocol
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I am getting married and want both dads to walk me down the aisle. What is proper wedding protocol in this situation?
Our Thoughts
This is a great ...
Wedding Reception Food Planning
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We are serving sandwiches at our wedding reception. What kind of meat should I have and how much should I get?
I plan on having 100 to 150 guests ...
Engagement Party Gifts
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I am throwing my best friend her engagement party and they are not registering for gifts. They are paying for the wedding themselves, and we want to tactfully ...
Wedding Speech Etiquette
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Is there a time limit on the toast? How do you tastefully exclude someone who does not want to make a speech?
Our Thoughts
In general, a wedding ...
Gift For The Bride From Mother
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I have been searching for some information on what type of gift I, as the mother of the bride, should give to my daughter? I can only find information ...
Pearl Or Diamond Wedding Jewelry
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Would it be better to wear pearl or diamond jewelry with my all white, strapless lace dress and daisy themed wedding?
Our Thoughts
The simple answer ...
Wedding Guest Thank You Notes
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Should wedding guests thank the bride's family for hosting a lovely wedding and reception via a written note?
Our Thoughts
This is a great idea....
Becoming a Wedding Planner
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Since I started planning my wedding I have become very interested in being a wedding planner and was wondering if you guys had any advice about getting ...
Gift Cards As Wedding Gifts
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How do we tactfully ask for gift cards only?
Our Thoughts
The best way to do this is by having your family and friends spread the word that you ...
Wedding Planning Terminology
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What does DW and AHR stand for? I keep seeing them while doing wedding research and have no idea what they mean.
Our Thoughts
As with any industry,...
Gift From Wedding Planner
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As the wedding coordinator, should you give the bridal couple a gift?
Our Thoughts
While it isn’t a requirement, it is a good idea to give your ...
Pre Wedding Party
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We are planning our wedding and keep going back and forth between a destination wedding and full-blown traditional wedding. I would prefer a very small ...
Expecting Wedding Gifts
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I am getting married in September, and my fiancé and I have lived together for 16 years. Should I expect gifts from friends and family?
Our Thoughts ...
Wedding Gift For The Couple
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We are paying for our daughter's wedding. Are we expected to also buy them a wedding gift? If so, what is appropriate?
Out Thoughts
Paying for ...
Asking For Vendor Gift Certificates
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We are paying for our own wedding, and have a home already. If asked, can we request gift certificates for our vendors to help us out?
Our Thoughts ...
Mother Of The Bride Etiquette
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When can I remove my hat, and do the guests follow my lead? Does my buttonhole face up or down?
Our Thoughts
Traditional etiquette for a formal ...
Guest List
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I started a new job and got engaged recently, and my new co-workers know I am planning a wedding. I don't feel comfortable inviting them to the wedding,...
Wedding Guest List Concerns
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I am inviting cousins to my wedding, but I do not want them to bring a "guest" unless it is someone to whom they are going to marry someday. How do I tell ...
Selecting A Wedding Date
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We want a nice wedding but nothing too big or too small. We don't know what date to pick either. We would like an outdoor wedding, but I feel it would ...
Wedding Cake Location
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Where should the wedding cake be set up at the reception?
Our Thoughts
Wedding cakes are typically set up on a separate cake table at the reception ...
Short Lived marriages
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If someone has a wedding and breaks up for good just 2 weeks after, should they return their weddings gifts to all parties?
If so, is there a time ...
Wedding Gift Idea
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I recently gave a wedding gift which was a picture frame with a photo that had the groom’s parents and the groom’s best friends in it. Was this appropriate?...
Unwanted Wedding Guests
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My fiancé and I have decided to not invite his mother to our wedding because she is a doped up drug addict that we have not spoken to for over a year. Actually,...
Gift Card Wedding Gifts
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How do we word the verbiage on asking for gift cards? For a little over a year all of our stuff will be in storage and we have no idea where will be when ...
Wedding Party
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We are having our wedding in a gorgeous garden in a rotunda. The celebrant has said that we could stand up in the rotunda, but I am worried about where ...
Addressing Wedding Invitations
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If guests are widowed, how do I address the wedding invitation that I am sending to them?
Our Thoughts
On the outside envelope of the ...
Two wedding Invitations
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My fiancé wants to purchase two different wedding invitations because he says we have different taste, what should I do?
Our Thoughts
Are you ...
Wedding Planner
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My wedding is two months and a few weeks a way. Can I hire a wedding planner to help me with the last two months of planning?
Our Thoughts
You ...
Second Wedding Receptions
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My fiancé and I live in 2 different states. Due to health, and family commitments it seems some people may not be able to travel for a wedding.
Ideally,...
Wedding Reception Food
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We are not having a catered wedding. There will be sandwich platters, fruit and veggie, cheese and cracker platters. baked ziti, salad, meatballs and more ...
Bridal Shower
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My sister is getting married for first time at 43 and she has been living with her fiancé for the past 4 years. She has also been living on her own for ...
Carnival Wedding Theme
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My daughter wants to have a "fun" reception. She and her fiancé want to have a "Fair" theme.
She wants it in our backyard (it’s big) and have a hot ...
Fall Wedding Colors
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I am having an autumn/fall theme wedding and my fall wedding colors are burnt orange and chocolate brown. I am finding that burnt orange doesn't really ...
Bridal Shower Planning
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My daughter doesn't want me (her mother) involved in the wedding plans. My question is am I still supposed to give her a bridal shower? I would appreciate ...
Post Wedding Reception
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My son is getting married and having a reception in a different state. We also want to hold a reception for him in the city where he was raised. Can ...
Wedding Centerpieces
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Is it ok to let our guests take home the wedding centerpieces at the end of the night?
Our Thoughts
Yes, it is a nice gesture to let your guests ...
Wedding Reception Decorations
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How can I decorate a gym for a wedding reception?
Our Thoughts
The sky is the limit when decorating for a wedding reception. First, you need ...
Wedding Invitation Etiquette
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I know it is proper etiquette for the return address on the RSVP card to go the bride's parent’s address. I am getting married in the town I live in. My ...
Wedding Planner Gifts
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Our wedding planner bought us thank you notes as a gift. What should we get her to thank her for planning our wedding?
Our Thoughts
The best ...
Sons Wedding Gift
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My son is getting married, and I want to give him money as a gift. His father, we're divorced, is paying for the rehearsal dinner. How much should I ...
Blocking Rooms For Wedding
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I live in Chicago and am planning a wedding in Kansas. All of our guests will be flying or driving in for the event. Our rehearsal dinner is on a Friday ...
Children in Wedding Ceremony
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How can children be involved in a wedding ceremony? My daughter is getting married and the groom has 11 nieces and nephews on his side of the family. On ...
Wedding Ceremony and Reception on Different Days
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Is it OK to have our wedding ceremony and wedding reception on two different days? My fiance and I are contemplating having our religious ceremony on a ...