–Christina Peterson–
The Ultimate Birthday Gift Guide
October 3, 2023
Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s rushed into the store on her way to a kids’ birthday party, frantically looking for a last-minute gift. Those quick trips aren’t just stressful; they often end up being expensive, leaving me wondering why I didn’t plan ahead. Confession time: I’m writing this article just as […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Welcome Parties
September 21, 2023
Wedding planning is about so much more than the wedding: in addition to the big day, couples also have to think about the “night before!” This month’s question comes from an Ask a Real Bride Instagram follower wondering if it’s necessary to host out-of-town guests at a pre-wedding event. Read on for why a welcome […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How to Honor Loved Ones You’re Missing on Your Wedding Day
August 17, 2023
It’s never easy marking milestones without our loved ones. But because weddings are such family affairs, the absence of a parent, grandparent, or sibling can be especially difficult. That’s where the @askarealbride followers come in! The @askarealbride Instagram page is a place where brides, mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, and wedding guests can ask questions […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How Do I Ask My In-Laws to Contribute?
July 20, 2023
If you’re not yet part of the Ask a Real Bride Instagram community, you have to join us: brides to be, mothers of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, and anyone who loves weddings will find daily etiquette Q+A’s, fun videos, and quick tips to make wedding season more enjoyable! Week after week, brides (and sometimes […]
What to Wear to Your Own Baby Shower
July 11, 2023
If your baby shower is approaching, you’ve probably been focusing on curating the perfect registry of baby items to welcome your little one. But now it’s time to focus on YOU! What to wear to your own baby shower is one of the toughest wardrobe challenges, but I’m here to help with 5 factors you […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About Kids + Weddings
June 22, 2023
The @askarealbride Instagram page is growing into a fun community for brides, mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, and wedding guests to interact, ask questions, and weigh in on wedding etiquette hot topics. If you haven’t joined us there–what are you waiting for? One of the most frequent topics? Kids and weddings! I’ve written extensively about […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Ways to Honor Your Mom at Your Wedding
June 6, 2023
While the bride and groom are obviously the stars of their wedding day, the third most visible role belongs to the father of the bride: he often escorts the bride down the aisle, gives a speech at the reception, and shares a dance with his daughter while everyone looks on. The irony? In the lead-up […]
– The Morning Of – 6 Ways Bridesmaids Can Help Create Calm, Not Chaos
May 11, 2023
Bridesmaid dress? Ordered! Bridal shower? Check. Bachelorette weekend? Done! After months of anticipation, a few pre-wedding festivities, and around a thousand messages in the group chat, you might get the sense that your bridesmaid duties are winding down. But the hours leading up to the ceremony are some of the most crucial moments for bridesmaids: […]
How to Address Wedding Invitations
May 2, 2023
You’ve invested time, money, and care into choosing wedding invitations that reflect your personal style and tone of the wedding. The final step: addressing the envelopes! It seems straightforward: title, name, address. But as you scan your guest list, you may find yourself with questions. We’re here to help! Read on for guidelines for every […]
– Ask a Real Bride – What Are Honorary Bridesmaids, Hypemaids, and Something Blue Crews?
April 20, 2023
One of the most frequently discussed topics on our @askarealbride Instagram page is bridesmaids. I hear variations of these questions all the time: How do I choose my bridesmaids? What if I don’t want the chaos of a huge bridal party? Will my friends be disappointed if they aren’t asked to be in the wedding? […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How Do I Tell Guests the Dress Code?
March 23, 2023
Four ways to tell guests what to wear to your wedding If you’re in the middle of wedding planning, your mind is filled with ideas for how to make your big day enjoyable and memorable for your guests. One important element: helping your guests feel comfortable in what they wear to celebrate. So what’s the […]
– Ultimate Guide to Gift-Giving – When Do I Take a Gift?
March 14, 2023
With 2020 far behind us, you may find that your social calendar is filling up with celebrations both big and small. After years apart, we’re eager to gather to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and more! This sudden influx of invitations might mean you’re shopping for something to wear, brushing up on your small talk skills, and […]
Baby Gift Ideas for the Parents Who Didn’t Register
March 9, 2023
No registry? No problem! We’ve got gifts new babies and moms will love! Confession: I’m one of those moms who didn’t register during my second pregnancy. And looking back, I really should have (read why here). But I’m not alone—many moms, especially those on their second and third babies, don’t create a gift registry, leaving […]
– Ask A Real Bride – What Should I Do If a Guest Asks for a Plus One?
February 23, 2023
If you’ve started working on your guest list, you know that the name of the game is usually shrinking the list to fit your budget and venue–not adding to it. So how should you respond if someone asks if they can add a guest? Far and away, this is the most popular question in my […]
– Wedding Edition – When Do I Take a Gift
February 14, 2023
If you have a friend or family member getting married soon, you may have noticed that the festivities begin long before the wedding. The months before the event are filled with gatherings like engagement parties, showers, and other pre-wedding events. If your mailbox (or inbox) is suddenly filled with invitations, read on. I’ll let you […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should I Ask a Friend to Officiate?
January 19, 2023
Couples are always looking for ways to make their weddings unique and unforgettable. One of the most popular ways to do that? Choosing an officiant you know and love! While many of the brides I surveyed via Instagram (@askarealbride) chose a professional officiant, like a pastor, priest, or judge, a whopping 40% of brides tell […]
