– Ask a Real Bride – How to Write Wedding Thank You Notes

February 15, 2024

Every week, the etiquette inbox at Ask a Real Bride is filled with questions about thank-you notes: when should I send them? What should I say? What about giftless guests and group gifts? I’m compiling all of my answers into one resource I hope will help you overcome any writer’s block and graciously express your […]

How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gift?

February 13, 2024

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 some spending […]

12 Wedding Registry Dos and Don’ts

February 6, 2024

When you’re planning a wedding, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Here are some tips for building a stress-free wedding registry. If you’re getting married for the first time, there’s a good chance you don’t know much about building your wedding registry — aside from the fact that you get a personal scanner to […]

10 Perfect Items for Your Healthy Wedding Gift Registry

January 30, 2024

“Living a healthy lifestyle is not an extreme “all or nothing” approach. It’s about making small, little changes that over time, will all add up.”  –Karalynne Call, Certified Nutritionist When it comes to life changes, there’s no bigger one than marriage. Not only are you beginning a new chapter of life with your partner–you also […]

9 Wedding Tips for the Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom

January 23, 2024

Congratulations! Your baby just got engaged! Unless you’ve been through this before, you are probably wondering, what do I do now? You are a very significant part of the big day. (But I didn’t have to tell you that.) My daughter recently got married, and someone said to me, “You are the second most important […]

– Ask a Real Bride – 6 Bachelorette Party Do’s and Don’ts

January 18, 2024

In the midst of wedding planning, a weekend getaway with your best friends sounds like the perfect break from all the stress. But in order to keep your bachelorette weekend truly stress-free, there are a few things brides may want to keep in mind. My favorite source for wedding-related wisdom? Our @Ask a Real Bride […]

Top 10 Things You Need to Do After Getting Engaged

January 11, 2024

Here’s your to-do list for everything that should happen after you get engaged and before you start wedding planning. It finally happened — you’re engaged! Congratulations! Pop the bubbly and let the celebrations begin! You’re about to enter an entirely new and exciting chapter of life, and there’s a lot to get done between now […]

– Ask Cheryl – Mother of the Bride meets Mother of the Groom – Is a Gift Appropriate?

January 9, 2024

Some personalities love giving gifts to make others feel welcome—but is this practice ever over the top? Hi Cheryl, I’m meeting the groom’s mom for the first time at the bridal salon where my daughter is selecting her wedding dress. I want to make the groom’s mom feel comfortable and welcomed. Do I give a […]

– Ask a Real Bride – How Much Can I Ask My Bridesmaids to Spend?

December 21, 2023

We’ve all heard the joke, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” So when it’s finally your turn to be the one in white, you may struggle with two conflicting feelings: Brides juggling those conflicting emotions reach out to me week after week on our @askarealbride Instagram page with questions like this: The key to answering […]

– AskCheryl – What’s an Appropriate Engagement Party Gift?

December 12, 2023

Did you know that over 40% of all marriage proposals occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day? With so many engagements on the horizon, I’ll be asked many questions about engagement gifts and engagement party etiquette. Today’s question comes from a guest who wants advice about selecting an engagement gift for a friend. Hello Cheryl, What […]

4 Reasons Why You Should Book an Engagement Shoot

December 7, 2023

As a soon-to-be bride, your to-do list might feel a mile long. But one item I’d encourage you to add to the list: a professional engagement photography session! Yes, there might be a financial investment, and it will require a few hours of your time. But the results are well worth the effort! Followers of […]

– Ask Cheryl – Should Guests be Invited to Multiple Bridal Showers?

November 28, 2023

While it may seem that “anything goes” regarding wedding etiquette these days, there are a few firm rules about guest lists and gift obligations. Dear Cheryl, My daughter has already had one shower which included me, her sisters, her bridesmaids and their mothers. Now she is having another shower given by an aunt and she […]

– Ask a Real Bride – 5 Bridesmaid Getting Ready Outfits Your Girls Will Love

November 21, 2023

The morning of your wedding is a special time: the months of anticipation and planning are finally coming together, and it’s time to soak it all in and enjoy! The best part of the morning is sharing it with your best girls, and one way to make them feel special is to coordinate your bridesmaids’ […]

– Ask a Real Bride – Your Wedding Photography Questions, Answered!

October 19, 2023

Do you know who you’ll spend the most time with on your wedding day? If you think the answer is your fiance or maid of honor, think again–it’s your photographer! That means it’s worth taking the time to learn how to build a great relationship with your photographer, from the very first email to the […]

How to Plan Memorable Rehearsal Dinner

October 11, 2023

From backyard barbecues to rooftop hotels, you can choose some fabulous places to have your rehearsal dinner, making it the perfect kick-off for your wedding weekend. This popular wedding tradition is usually held the night before, right after the ceremony rehearsal. Its purpose is to gather the most important people to the bride and groom […]

Top Must-Haves for Holiday Entertaining

October 10, 2023

When my husband proposed to me, he did so in the living room of our first home.  He had a small area decorated with balloons that spelled out “Welcome Home” and champagne for us to toast with afterward.  Since then, we have continued creating many beautiful memories together as a family in that exact home, […]

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