I’m often asked about etiquette for same-sex weddings. Are there differences? I’ve found that in general, the etiquette questions and dilemmas are the same no matter who is saying, “I do!” Take, for example, this question from a couple who finds themselves taking orders from two bossy brides. Dear Cheryl, I am writing on behalf… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: What’s Worse Than a Bridezilla? Two!
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: Can I Invite a Friend to My Niece’s Bridal Shower?
We hear this question quite often, and the answer never changes. Read on to find out more! Hi Cheryl, I am attending my niece’s bridal shower. Is it proper to ask the host, my sister-in-law, if I can invite a close friend of mine to attend? Thanks, Yvonne Hi Yvonne, Thank you for writing! The… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Can I Invite a Friend to My Niece’s Bridal Shower?
Ask Cheryl: Should Mother of the Groom Invite Close Friends to Son’s Second Wedding?
The topic of second marriages comes up frequently in the Ask Cheryl mailbox. Hopefully, this week’s question and answer will clear up questions about invitation and gift-giving etiquette. Hi Cheryl,My son is getting married for the second time, but this is his fiancé’s first wedding. Should I invite my close friends to his second wedding… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Should Mother of the Groom Invite Close Friends to Son’s Second Wedding?
Ask Cheryl: How Much to Spend on a Gift for an Acquaintance?
When you’re invited to celebrate the wedding of someone who isn’t a family member or close friend, choosing an appropriate wedding gift can be tricky. Read on for my advice. Dear Cheryl, I’ve been invited to the second wedding of someone I would consider to be an acquaintance, but not a personal friend. The bride-to-be… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: How Much to Spend on a Gift for an Acquaintance?
Ask Cheryl: Should I Return the Engagement Ring?
When a couple chooses to call off their wedding, there are many practical as well as emotional implications. Today, we address the engagement ring: who keeps it? Dear Cheryl, My fiancé and I have decided to call off our wedding by mutual agreement. Am I now expected to return my engagement ring? Please advise. -Samantha… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Should I Return the Engagement Ring?
Ask Cheryl: Is it Okay to Give a Wedding Gift on Behalf of Someone Else?
We all want to be as generous and kind as possible, but does that mean it’s appropriate to give a wedding gift on someone else’s behalf? Dear Cheryl, How much should / would you recommend I give for my daughter’s second wedding? I am not helping pay for it. Also, would it be appropriate for… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Is it Okay to Give a Wedding Gift on Behalf of Someone Else?
Ask Cheryl: Appropriate Gifts for Wedding #2
This week’s question deals with gift-giving etiquette for second marriages—and in these situations, gift-givers have a few options! Dear Cheryl, My best friend’s son is getting married for the second time, but this is the bride’s first marriage. We are very close to these people, so what is appropriate for a gift? Thanks,-Rachel Hi… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Appropriate Gifts for Wedding #2
Ask Cheryl: Couple Requests Cash for their Honeymoon: To Give or Not to Give?
Today’s question comes from a reader who was asked to make a cash donation for a honeymoon in lieu of a wedding gift. She’s now not sure if she should attend the wedding or even send a gift. Dear Cheryl, My husband and I were planning to visit Italy this fall for a relative’s… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Couple Requests Cash for their Honeymoon: To Give or Not to Give?
AskCheryl: Snub or Oversight? Bridal Shower Invitation Confusion
Today’s question comes from a mom that is wondering how to handle the fact that she received an invitation to her niece’s bridal shower, but daughter didn’t. Snub or oversight? Hi Cheryl, I recently received a Bridal shower invitation to my niece’s shower, addressed only to me. I have an adult daughter (college age) living at… Continue reading AskCheryl: Snub or Oversight? Bridal Shower Invitation Confusion
Love, Marriage, and the Baby Carriage: Who Gets Invited?
Today’s Ask Cheryl question comes from a reader that’s planning a baby shower soon after the wedding. She wants to know if it’s OK to invite those that were not invited to the wedding. Dear Cheryl, Should people not invited to the recent wedding be invited to the baby shower? Thanks, Mary Ann Hi Mary… Continue reading Love, Marriage, and the Baby Carriage: Who Gets Invited?
Ask Cheryl: Does a Couples Shower Replace a Wedding Reception?
Today’s question is from a reader that is confused about being invited to a co-ed couples shower, but not invited to the wedding. Are co-ed showers taking the place of a wedding reception? Dear Cheryl, We’ve received a couple of “couples shower” invitations. In both cases, it was when a destination type wedding was happening. In… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Does a Couples Shower Replace a Wedding Reception?
Ask Cheryl: Can I Change my RSVP?
Today’s question comes from a reader that wanted to change her daughter’s RSVP to a bridal shower at the last minute. Hi Cheryl, I was searching to find an answer to this question when I came across one of your articles and thought I would reach out. My daughter and I were invited to a bridal… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Can I Change my RSVP?
Ask Cheryl: Aunts & Cousins Not Invited to the Bridal Shower?
Today our reader is struggling with the often-asked question of who should be invited to a Bridal Shower. This one is a bit more complicated because the invitees in question are family members. Dear Cheryl, I was reading your article on the Huffington post site about who should be invited to a bridal shower. One of the points states… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Aunts & Cousins Not Invited to the Bridal Shower?
Ask Cheryl: Etiquette for a Second Marriage
I often get questions about etiquette for second or subsequent marriages. Today’s reader is concerned about the size of her family member’s second wedding. Dear Cheryl, My nephew is divorced and is now engaged to a young woman that has never been married. His fiancée obviously wants a big wedding… Do you have something written on this… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Etiquette for a Second Marriage
Ask Cheryl: MOG Invites Extra Guests to Bridal Shower
Whether it’s the wedding, bridal shower, or another wedding-related event, the problem of extra guests often pops up. Today’s reader wants to know how to handle extra guests that were invited to a bridal shower, not by the host or bride, but by the Mother of the Groom (MOG). Hello Cheryl, I hope that… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: MOG Invites Extra Guests to Bridal Shower
Ask Cheryl: Put an End to Gift Shaming
The holidays are upon us, and there’s a lot of focus on gift giving. I wanted to take a moment to talk about gifts and what to do if you don’t receive the gift you want or expected, or if you don’t receive a gift at all. Today’s Ask Cheryl question is from a reader… Continue reading Ask Cheryl: Put an End to Gift Shaming