–Cheryl Seidel–
9 Wedding Tips for the Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom
January 23, 2024
Congratulations! Your baby just got engaged! Unless you’ve been through this before, you are probably wondering, what do I do now? You are a very significant part of the big day. (But I didn’t have to tell you that.) My daughter recently got married, and someone said to me, “You are the second most important […]
– Ask Cheryl – Mother of the Bride meets Mother of the Groom – Is a Gift Appropriate?
January 9, 2024
Some personalities love giving gifts to make others feel welcome—but is this practice ever over the top? Hi Cheryl, I’m meeting the groom’s mom for the first time at the bridal salon where my daughter is selecting her wedding dress. I want to make the groom’s mom feel comfortable and welcomed. Do I give a […]
– AskCheryl – What’s an Appropriate Engagement Party Gift?
December 12, 2023
Did you know that over 40% of all marriage proposals occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? With so many engagements on the horizon, I’ll be asked many questions about engagement gifts and engagement party etiquette. Today’s question comes from a guest who wants advice about selecting an engagement gift for a friend. Hello Cheryl, What […]
– Ask Cheryl – Should Guests be Invited to Multiple Bridal Showers?
November 28, 2023
While it may seem that “anything goes” regarding wedding etiquette these days, there are a few firm rules about guest lists and gift obligations. Dear Cheryl, My daughter has already had one shower which included me, her sisters, her bridesmaids and their mothers. Now she is having another shower given by an aunt and she […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Invite Guests to a Welcome Party?
November 14, 2023
The day before the “big day” is often busy: out-of-town guests arrive, the couple and their bridal party run through the ceremony rehearsal, and the groom’s parents often plan a rehearsal dinner. Amid all the hustle and bustle of the night before, welcome parties have become a relaxed way for guests to mingle with other […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Much Should I Give for a Second Marriage?
June 13, 2023
It’s very common to receive an invitation to an “encore” wedding – the wedding of a couple getting married for the second or even third time. Choosing the perfect gift can be challenging, especially when it’s not their first time celebrating this special occasion, and it’s normal to wonder how much to spend. Dear Cheryl, […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Many Should Be Invited to a Bridal Shower?
May 23, 2023
Is it just me, or have you noticed that bridal showers are becoming larger and larger? Today, I advised a concerned hostess on how to handle a ballooning guest list. Read on for my tips and the etiquette behind why showers shouldn’t feel like mini-weddings. Dear Cheryl, I’m co-hosting a bridal shower for my niece […]
– AskCheryl – How Late Can I Send a Baby Gift?
May 9, 2023
Today’s reader is embarrassed because she is late sending a baby gift. We’ve all been there – maybe we forgot, procrastinated, or had an excellent reason. Read on for my advice to her. How long after a baby’s birth can we send a newborn gift? We intended to do so and even bought the gift, […]
– Ask Cheryl – My Husband Invited to a Wedding Without Me!
April 25, 2023
My husband received a wedding invitation via social media from his stepdaughter (from a previous relationship). In the online RSVP process, only his name was found. He said he would contact her and straighten it out. I think this was intentional and disrespectful, even though we have been married for almost fifteen years. How do […]
– Ask Cheryl – Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?
April 11, 2023
Hi Dana, It is rarely “wrong” to give someone a gift, but it might be awkward in this case. It’s not customary for the groom’s parents to give the bride’s parents a gift at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding. Traditionally, the groom’s parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. I don’t recommend […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Tell My Bridesmaid that her Boyfriend is not Invited to the Wedding?
March 28, 2023
Dear Cheryl, I’m getting married next year and a very good friend of mine is a bridesmaid. We have been friends for over 20 years. She has already bought her dress. My question is how do I tell her that her boyfriend of over 2 years isn’t welcome? He has a drinking problem and we […]
– Ask Cheryl – Is a Honeymoon Registry Tacky?
February 28, 2023
Dear Cheryl, My daughter was considering her wedding registry options. She asked me if including a honeymoon registry was tacky. What do you think? Jerri Hi Jerri, Before electronic transfers became the norm, many wedding guests enjoyed giving cash or a check as a wedding gift, hoping the couple could use it on their honeymoon. […]
– Wedding Etiquette Question – What Costs Should the Bride Cover for Her Bridesmaids?
January 24, 2023
Being asked to be a bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding is exciting. But when the questions of travel, lodging, the bachelorette party, and the wedding day itself arise, the bridesmaid may wonder, “Am I supposed to pay for that?” Money conversations are always awkward, but before you say yes to the honor of being a […]
– Ask Cheryl – Are Aunts Expected to Host a Bridal Shower?
January 10, 2023
Hi Cheryl, I am officiating my niece’s wedding and am wondering if it’s appropriate, or expected, for me to help pay for the bridal shower? I already donated $100 toward the shower and bought a gift. There are only a few bridal attendants: 2 bridesmaids, a junior bridesmaid, and a flower girl, so expenses for […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
December 13, 2022
Hi Cheryl, How do I share my wedding registry with our friends and family? I want to make sure they know where we’re registered. Thanks, Brenda Hi Brenda, When it comes to informing your family and friends where you are registered, of course, we hope you will tell them to find you on RegistryFinder.com. It’s […]
– Etiquette Guide – When Are Baby Gifts Required?
November 18, 2022
A baby’s entry into the world is definitely a cause for celebration, but with all the different parties and occasions, it’s not always clear when you’re expected to give a baby gift. You may be invited to multiple gatherings, so when should you bring a gift? And what is the etiquette of baby gift-giving? Below […]
