–Etiquette–
– Ask Cheryl – Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
July 24, 2025
Wedding guests often wonder whether they should give the couple a gift, even if it means incurring 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 […]
– Ask Cheryl – Should I Send a Gift to the Shower if I Can’t Attend?
July 8, 2025
Have you been invited to a baby or bridal shower but can’t go? Should you send a gift if you can’t be there in person? Dear Cheryl, Can I send my gift directly to the person’s home if I’m not attending the shower? Gail Hi Gail, I recommend against it. If you receive a shower […]
– Ask Cheryl – Should My Bridesmaids Help Pay for My Bridal Shower?
June 19, 2025
Your best girlfriends are going to be your bridesmaids; let the celebrating commence! But what are their responsibilities? What should you expect from them regarding party planning, hosting, and all related expenses? Hi Cheryl, I am getting married in a few months and have a total of eight bridesmaids, including a Matron of Honor. My […]
– Ask Cheryl – Should I Send a Wedding Gift to My Nephew If Not Invited to the Ceremony?
June 5, 2025
Hi Cheryl, My husband’s brother called and mentioned that his son is getting married in a very small ceremony, and we will not be invited. However, another wedding will take place in the future, and we will be invited to that one. Should we send a monetary gift now or wait until they have their […]
– Ask Cheryl – Invited to the Shower, but not the Wedding?
May 20, 2025
It is a truth universally acknowledged (or at least it should be) that all those invited to the bridal shower must also be asked to the wedding. Unfortunately, confused hosts/hostesses sometimes extend shower invitations to those they can’t invite to the wedding. So what’s a shower guest to do when she’s not on the wedding […]
How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gift?
May 6, 2025
The most often asked question in my “Ask Cheryl” inbox is how much to spend on a wedding or shower gift. And while we all love a hard and fast etiquette rule, this is one of those questions that doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. Read on for my advice and spending guidelines to help you […]
– Ask Cheryl – Etiquette of Having a Bridal Shower with a Small Destination Wedding Guest List
April 17, 2025
When a couple chooses a small, destination wedding, family and friends might try to insist on traditional pre-wedding celebrations, like a bridal shower. How should couples handle the pressure to register and have showers when their wedding guest list is small? Cheryl offers her solution and the one etiquette rule that should never change with […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
April 2, 2025
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, It’s best etiquette to wait until someone asks about your registry before sharing your list or preferences. But here are a few tips to help you spread […]
– Ask Cheryl – Should I Return the Engagement Ring?
April 1, 2025
When an engagement is broken, who keeps the ring? Is it a question of etiquette or law? 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 in Florida Hi Samantha, I’m sorry to hear about your […]
– Ask Cheryl – Father of Bride Can’t Afford to Travel to Destination Wedding
March 20, 2025
Dear Cheryl, My daughter has a 3rd wedding planned at a destination 1,000 miles from my home. She lives 20 minutes away from me. I am 80+ disabled and on Oxygen, and I have a very fixed limited income. It would take an entire Social Security check for me to fly to her wedding, not […]
– Ask Cheryl – How To Politely Communicate a Honeymoon Registry to Wedding Guests
March 11, 2025
Couples sometimes skip the traditional registry and register for experiences like a honeymoon. But how do you communicate a honeymoon registry to your guests? Hi Cheryl, I have a question regarding the bridal shower for my future daughter-in-law. Guests are asking what they can get her, but the bride said that she doesn’t need anything. […]
Can You Register for Furniture? Wedding Registry Options for Big-Ticket Items
February 20, 2025
Dear Cheryl, My boyfriend was married and lost his wife to cancer. We are planning to get married, and I’m 48, which means I have most things already, and so does he. We will need big furniture pieces for our home together, not all the regular smaller appliances and house starter items. Can people give […]
– Ask Cheryl – Dos and Don’ts for Mothers of the Groom (MOG)
February 6, 2025
Dear Cheryl, My son is getting married next year, and I’m unsure what my role should be. I want to be involved in and help with the wedding, but I don’t know where to start. Since we are paying for half of the wedding, shouldn’t I have a say in the planning? Thanks, Mother of […]
– Ask Cheryl – Registry Info on a Wedding Announcement?
January 21, 2025
Over the past few years, many couples have chosen more intimate weddings and then informed family and friends of their nuptials with a printed wedding announcement. Should registry information be included in a wedding announcement? Should those receiving an announcement feel obligated to send a gift? Dear Cheryl, My niece’s son had a small outdoor […]
– Ask Cheryl – How to Avoid Wedding Registry Blunders
January 7, 2025
Creating your ultimate wedding wishlist is a fun experience and the perfect opportunity to ask for unique gifts. But what should NOT be included in a wedding gift registry? Dear Cheryl, I want to include non-traditional items in my wedding registry; are there some things that I shouldn’t include? What should I stay away from? […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should My Parents’ Names Appear on My Wedding Invitations?
December 17, 2024
Note: Featured image provided by Caitlin Elizabeth Photography. Caitlin Elizabeth Photography has all the tips for creating a beautiful flat lay featuring your wedding invitation! 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 […]
