–Ask a Real Bride–
– 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 […]
– 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 […]
– 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 […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Planning Your Wedding Guest List
December 22, 2022
Deciding who to invite to your wedding can be more complicated than you think — here’s a step-by-step guide with helpful tips from real brides who have been there! When I got engaged, I just about instantly began planning my wedding: the venue, the atmosphere, the music, and of course, the guests. Little did I […]
– Ask a Real Bride – The Pros and Cons of Registering Completely Online
November 17, 2022
We’ve gotten used to doing pretty much everything from the comfort of our own homes on our computers and devices. Wedding registries are no exception! Years ago, choosing items for your registry meant going to a store, being handed a scan gun, and manually picking items to add. Not any longer! With just a few […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Sweet Ways to Honor Your Future In-Laws
October 20, 2022
As your wedding day approaches, you might be coming to a new realization: you’re about to become someone’s wife AND someone’s new daughter. What’s the best way to start building this new relationship with your future in-laws? Our real brides are here to help. I took to Instagram (come join our Ask a Real Bride […]
– Ask a Real Bride – The Etiquette of Plus Ones
September 22, 2022
Last month, the “Ask a Real Bride” got its very own Instagram account! If you love quick tips on wedding planning and etiquette, and short, sometimes funny, videos in your social media feed, come join the party! I’d love to get your feedback and interact with you there! By far, the most popular topic on […]
– Ask a Real Bride – What to do When Wedding Guests Behave Badly
August 18, 2022
While most of your wedding is under your control, there’s a large element of the day you can’t always plan for: the behavior of your guests. Among any large gathering, there is bound to be some less-than-ideal behavior. And with the added emotions of a wedding and the sky-high expectations of the bride and groom, […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How Involved Should I be in My Bridal Shower?
July 21, 2022
Your wedding year can feel like a crash course in event planning: suddenly, your to-do list is filled with finding vendors, building your budget, and creating your guest list. With endless event inspiration and ideas filling your social media feed, many brides are left wondering: where exactly do the planning responsibilities end? I’ve got some […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How to Plan a Bachelorette Weekend, Not a Guilt Trip
June 23, 2022
If you’re a bride currently planning her bachelorette weekend, this is your sign to step back, take a deep breath, and honestly ask yourself: am I planning a girls’ trip or a guilt trip? Since I’ve been writing about weddings for nearly 8 years, people love to tell me their wedding stories–and I love hearing […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Are Wedding Programs Worth It, or a Waste?
March 17, 2022
Is a wedding program worth the time and cost, or should couples save by skipping them? Our real brides help you decide! Wedding blogs, Instagram accounts, and Pinterest pages are filled with “must have” items to achieve the perfect wedding, but all of those great ideas can quickly become overwhelming for brides-to-be. It’s a challenge […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should We Give a Speech at our Wedding?
February 17, 2022
When you think through your reception timeline, you’re probably carving out time for speeches by the father of the bride, the best man, and maid of honor. But recently, I’ve noticed that more and more couples seem to be hopping on the mic themselves! Is the bride and groom speech something you should consider for […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Where’s The Wedding Gift?
January 20, 2022
We all know the saying, “tis better to give than to receive.” But both givers and receivers have run into the awkward situation of what I call “the missing gift:” for brides, that means not receiving a gift, and for givers, not receiving an acknowledgement of a gift they’ve given, leaving them wondering if the […]
