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Showing posts from May, 2014

When the Bride or Groom Has Been Married Before....

In today's society nearly half of marriages end in divorce. Therefore, it is very common for a bride or groom to be making their second trip (or more) down the aisle. When the bride, groom, or both are marrying for the second time, etiquette dictates that some things be handled differently than for a first wedding. The following are general etiquette guidelines to consider when planning a second wedding. Bride’s first marriage, groom’s second:  If the bride is marrying for the first time, she may have as large a wedding as she likes. Depending on the groom’s age and circumstances, he should plan on paying for his share of the wedding expenses, rather than expecting his parents to pitch in a second time. The groom may also choose to pay for more of the total costs of the wedding if he can afford to do so, rather than expecting the bride and her family to pay for most of it.  He should also host and pay for the rehearsal dinner if his parents paid the first t...

Include Grandparents in your Wedding

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It is not uncommon to ask the father of the groom to serve as best man or to ask a father or grandfather to perform a wedding ceremony. It is a little less common to ask the mother of the bride to serve as matron of honor, but how about asking Grandma to be the flower girl? That is what a Virginia couple did when the groom's grandmother jokingly asked to be their flower girl. After some thought, the couple asked both the groom's and the bride's grandmothers to serve as flower girls, preceding the bride down the aisle. Grandparents are largely overlooked at weddings, much like the groom's parents, so why not give them, both grandparents and groom's parents, a more visible role. More and more brides are honoring one of the most important women in their lives by asking Grandma to be the matron of honor, or in some cases, escort the bride down the aisle. If a grandparent or parent of the groom sings or plays an instrument, he/she might provide a portion of the ceremon...

Celebrate Mother's Day with a Tea

Want to do something fun and just for the girls? Something feminine and a bit romantic with lace and flowers and yummy treats? If so, consider celebrating your mom, grandmother, aunts and the other special women in your life by planning a tea. If you are not the stiff, formal, tea and crumpets (yes, there is such a thing) type, create your own version of a tea. The only thing you definitely need is tea. Traditionally, tea is served in mid to late afternoon accompanied by tiny open faced sandwiches and mini desserts. The tea is usually poured from a teapot into delicate porcelain tea cups (no mugs, please) and accompanied by sugar, milk and lemon wedges. Tables are covered with linen or lace tablecloths and bedecked with floral centerpieces. A proper English tea is made using loose tea leaves placed in a diffuser ball. However, if you prefer to offer several varieties, your guests will surely not complain if you provide a variety of tea bags. If you prefer a morning tea, mini quiche...