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… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: My Husband Invited to a Wedding Without Me!
Author: Cheryl Seidel
Cheryl is a happily married mom to two adult children and has recently enjoyed being a mother-of-the-bride. Her background in product development and marketing led Cheryl to create RegistryFinder.com, a search engine for gift registries, in 2012. Long considered a gift-giving and gift etiquette expert, her firm belief is that gifting should be fun, easy, and stress-free! Readers regularly write to Cheryl about their etiquette questions and she answers them here on our blog.
Ask Cheryl: Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?
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… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?
Ask Cheryl: How Do I Tell My Bridesmaid that her Boyfriend is not Invited to the Wedding?
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… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: How Do I Tell My Bridesmaid that her Boyfriend is not Invited to the Wedding?
Ask Cheryl: Is a Honeymoon Registry Tacky?
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.… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Is a Honeymoon Registry Tacky?
Wedding Etiquette Question: What Costs Should the Bride Cover for Her Bridesmaids?
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… Continue reading Wedding Etiquette Question: What Costs Should the Bride Cover for Her Bridesmaids?
Ask Cheryl: Are Aunts Expected to Host a Bridal Shower?
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… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Are Aunts Expected to Host a Bridal Shower?
Ask Cheryl: How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
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… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
Etiquette Guide: When Are Baby Gifts Required?
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… Continue reading Etiquette Guide: When Are Baby Gifts Required?
Ask Cheryl: Does My Bridal Shower Gift Have to Be From the Registry?
Hi Marcy, To rephrase your question, you are asking if it’s OK to buy a wedding or shower gift for a couple that they didn’t include on their wedding gift registry, and the answer is yes. Gift registries exist for guests’ convenience, and the gift registry is a list of suggestions, not a mandate. As… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Does My Bridal Shower Gift Have to Be From the Registry?
Ask Cheryl: Should I Send a Gift to the Shower if I Can’t Attend?
You’re invited to a baby or bridal shower but can’t go. What are you supposed to do? It’s a common question from our readers and website users wanting to know if they should send a gift to a shower if they cannot be there in person. Dear Cheryl, Can I send my gift directly to… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Should I Send a Gift to the Shower if I Can’t Attend?
Ask Cheryl: Wedding Invitation Not Specific, Can I Bring a Guest?
Today’s question is from a wedding guest who is confused about whether she can bring a “plus-one” to the wedding. Dear Cheryl,I am a single woman who received an invitation to a friend’s wedding. The wedding invitation came addressed only to me. There was no inside envelope which usually states Karen and Guest. In addition… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Wedding Invitation Not Specific, Can I Bring a Guest?
Ask Cheryl: Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
Wedding guests often wonder if they should give the couple a gift even if they must incur travel expenses to attend the wedding. Dear Cheryl, I am going to my nephew’s wedding celebration out of state. The couple is already married. I have to purchase a flight and a hotel room, so I’m wondering: am I expected… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
Baby Shower Etiquette – Rules to Party By
Baby Shower Etiquette for All Involved I love baby showers. I can’t get enough of those cute baby clothes and practical gadgets – not to mention the champagne and girly foods. But I know some of you may not be as excited when a baby shower invitation arrives in your inbox or mailbox. Whether you… Continue reading Baby Shower Etiquette – Rules to Party By
AskCheryl: 1st Time Bridesmaid Asks, “Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?”
Hello Cheryl, My best friend is having a destination wedding and asked me to be a bridesmaid. I generally do not like the idea of traveling internationally for a wedding, but I agreed to go and be there for her. This will be the first wedding I have ever attended. It’s the first time I’m… Continue reading AskCheryl: 1st Time Bridesmaid Asks, “Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?”
AskCheryl: Etiquette for a Second Wedding – Anything Goes?
Today’s letter comes from a bride who has been previously married. She wants to know whether the etiquette for planning a second wedding differs from when planning the first wedding. Read on to find out! Dear Cheryl, What is the best way to handle a wedding when it’s the bride’s second wedding, but the groom’s… Continue reading AskCheryl: Etiquette for a Second Wedding – Anything Goes?
Ask Cheryl: Baby Gifts and the Workplace
When someone in the office is expecting, is it appropriate to give a baby gift? What if you haven’t been invited to a shower? Dear Cheryl, One of our coworkers is expecting, and invited one member of the staff to her baby shower. My coworker who was invited collected money from the rest of us… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Baby Gifts and the Workplace