–Wedding–
Wedding Guest Welcome Bags in 5 Easy Steps
July 15, 2021
When Jon and I got married in South Florida four years ago, we were blessed to have a bunch of our out-of-town family and friends join us for the celebration. Jon is originally from Michigan and we met at college in Ohio. I have family spread across the globe from Canada to Jamaica so it […]
– Ask Cheryl – If I Was Invited to the Virtual Shower, Shouldn’t I Be Invited to the Virtual Wedding?
July 13, 2021
A reader wonders if etiquette has changed and why she was invited to the bridal shower and not the wedding. I am hoping you can provide some insight and advice. My long-time friend (59 years) has three children who I have known since they were born. Her daughter is getting married this month, but with […]
The Best Dresses for the Mothers of the Bride and Groom
July 1, 2021
Trust me. I get it; shopping for a mother of the bride/groom dress can be hard! How do I know? I was frantically searching for one for my son’s wedding this time last year! From color to trend to what looks best on you, it’s just HARD to find one you love! We all dream […]
Maid of Honor Guide
June 24, 2021
The year after I graduated from college, I went to 12 weddings between the months of March and September. I’ve been in 7 weddings, 5 of them after I took my own walk down the aisle. I grew up in a family that should really start their own business as wedding planners, florists, caterers and […]
What to Do When the Invitation Says “No Gifts”
June 22, 2021
It’s a hard reality to face — receiving an invitation that says “no gifts” in one form or another. Perhaps you’ve heard through the grapevine that the happy couple has requested that no wedding gifts be purchased, or maybe you’ve been invited to a present-free birthday party. Whatever the case, it’s likely you’re itching to […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Five Tips for Including Kids in Your Wedding
June 17, 2021
Almost two and half years ago, I kicked off the “Ask a Real Bride” series with the topic of kids and weddings, and I was blown away by the strong opinions and emotions on both sides of the issue. You can read the full debate on kids and weddings here, and know this: no matter […]
Unique Wedding Registry Items from Food52
June 11, 2021
Featuring unique, handmade, and artisanal home goods, the Shop at Food52 is a wedding registry gold mine! Have you ever found yourself thinking mid-task? There has got to be a better, more fun, and easier way to do this. If your answer was yes, I want you to know that you, my friend, are not alone! […]
15 Poetry Books to Inspire Your Vows
June 9, 2021
From classic odes to modern pronouncements of love, there are so many poetry books to inspire your wedding day vows — check them out! If you’ve chosen to write your own wedding vows, it can be hard to know where to start. Even as a professional writer, I had a hard time coming up with […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Let People Know What Gifts I Would Like?
June 7, 2021
It is customary to give and receive gifts for major life events like weddings and baby showers. But how do you let family and friends know what you need without sounding “gift-grabby”? Dear Cheryl, If I register for gifts, how will people know where to find my registry? How do I let people know what […]
Hot Summer Bridal Shower Themes and Recipes
June 1, 2021
Summer is wedding time which means it’s also bridal shower time! We’re back with four of this summer’s hottest bridal shower themes. We’ve gathered delicious recipes and pretty décor ideas that can be effortlessly incorporated into your event. This will allow you to sit back and enjoy the shower alongside your guests and the bride-to-be! […]
– Ask a Real Bride – How To Decode the Wedding Dress Code
May 27, 2021
Week after week, our inbox is filled with questions regarding what to wear to weddings. While black tie, formal, and semiformal have always been common dress codes, some couples are getting more unique and specific, in effect requesting that their guests’ attire become an extension of the wedding theme. So what’s a guest to wear? […]
– Ask Cheryl – What to Wear to a Wedding – Decoding the Wedding Dress Code
May 25, 2021
How do you know what to wear? Do you ever wonder what you are expected to wear as a wedding guest? Weddings are indeed a time of celebration, but the heart of the ceremony is serious. A wedding ceremony is a momentous event in a couple’s life. As a wedding guest, your clothing should reflect […]
5 Ways to Celebrate Your Blended Family During Your Wedding Ceremony
May 13, 2021
Blended weddings bring together more than just a bride and groom; they symbolize the bringing together of two families. When one or both halves of the couple have children from a previous marriage or relationship, including them in the ceremony can help smooth the transition and make them feel like they’re part of the celebration. […]
Belk’s Top Bridal Registry Gifts
April 27, 2021
If you’re just starting to create your wedding registry, chances are you have a lot of questions. I can totally relate, because right after I got engaged, I was suddenly extremely curious about things I had never wondered about: things like stainless steel vs. nonstick cookware, and down comforters vs. quilts. I often wished I […]
– Ask a Real Bride – Should I Send a Save the Date?
April 22, 2021
Brides tell me all the time that they feel their to-do list is never-ending. From the guest list to the song list, brides seem overwhelmed with planning the details of their big day, which leads me to wonder: is there anything couples can skip? Save the Dates: Send or Skip? When I was engaged, I […]
15 Ideas for Your Bride & Groom Gift Exchange
April 20, 2021
The bride and groom gift exchange is a wedding tradition whose origin is a little fuzzy, but it’s withstood generations of marriages and is still popular among modern couples today. It’s an opportunity for the couple to have a private moment during their wedding day (or the night before) outside of the festivities. Not sure […]