– 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? […]

7 Creative Ways to Include Your Dog In Your Wedding Day

April 18, 2023

Your wedding is one of your life’s most special and memorable days, and you want everything to be perfect. For many couples, this means including their four-legged best friend! Incorporating your pup into your wedding can add a unique touch that will make it even more special. How do you include them without making it […]

Who Gets a Gift from the Bride and Groom?

April 13, 2023

Your wedding is an opportunity to show appreciation for close friends and family through thoughtful gifts. Pop quiz time! Question: Who should get a wedding gift from the happy couple? Answer: If you picked A or B, I wouldn’t be surprised. But, the answer is actually D. Which I know is semi-ambiguous, but bear with […]

– Ask Cheryl – Do the Groom’s Parents Give a Gift to the Bride’s Parents?

April 11, 2023

Hi Dana, It is rarely “wrong” to give someone a gift, but it might be awkward in this case. It’s not customary for the groom’s parents to give the bride’s parents a gift at either the rehearsal dinner or the wedding. Traditionally, the groom’s parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. I don’t recommend […]

– Ask Cheryl – How Do I Tell My Bridesmaid that her Boyfriend is not Invited to the Wedding?

March 28, 2023

Dear Cheryl, I’m getting married next year and a very good friend of mine is a bridesmaid. We have been friends for over 20 years. She has already bought her dress. My question is how do I tell her that her boyfriend of over 2 years isn’t welcome? He has a drinking problem and we […]

– 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 […]

Wedding Gifts that Will Change Your Life

March 16, 2023

These gifts will prove their value over and over throughout the course of your marriage There are some wedding gifts that just end up standing out among the rest. These are what we call the life-changers. You may be wondering just how life-changing a wedding gift can be. As someone who owns a fair amount […]

3 No-Fail Spring Bridal Shower Themes

March 7, 2023

We’ve got your bridal shower covered from start to finish! Hosting a bridal shower is an incredible honor. Having the opportunity to show a bride-to-be just how special she is, surrounded by her closest friends and family members, is nothing to be taken lightly. If you’re planning a spring-time bridal shower, we will help you […]

Spring Shower Menus (Perfect for Baby or Bridal Showers)

March 1, 2023

Spring is just around the corner, and with it come warmer days and blooming flowers. It’s an excellent time for a bridal shower or baby shower because everyone will appreciate celebrating with family and friends after months of winter hibernation. Our carefully crafted Spring Shower Menus are perfect for celebrating a new baby or a […]

– Ask Cheryl – Is a Honeymoon Registry Tacky?

February 28, 2023

Dear Cheryl, My daughter was considering her wedding registry options. She asked me if including a honeymoon registry was tacky. What do you think? Jerri Hi Jerri, Before electronic transfers became the norm, many wedding guests enjoyed giving cash or a check as a wedding gift, hoping the couple could use it on their honeymoon. […]

– 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 […]

How to Write a (Non-Cringey) Wedding Toast

February 7, 2023

Having the chance to give a wedding toast can be exciting — it’s an opportunity to speak from the heart and impart wisdom on the happy couple. But, it can feel overwhelming to get up in front of a bunch of people (some of whom you’ve probably never met before) and talk about such big […]

Your Ultimate Wedding Day Emergency Kit

January 31, 2023

You won’t have to worry about a thing when you’re prepared for anything with a wedding day emergency kit! Don’t get me wrong — no one wants something to go sideways on their wedding day. But let’s be honest, those who show up unprepared usually wind up wishing they were. In the hopes that it […]

– Wedding Etiquette Question – What Costs Should the Bride Cover for Her Bridesmaids?

January 24, 2023

Being asked to be a bridesmaid for a friend’s wedding is exciting. But when the questions of travel, lodging, the bachelorette party, and the wedding day itself arise, the bridesmaid may wonder, “Am I supposed to pay for that?” Money conversations are always awkward, but before you say yes to the honor of being a […]

– 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 […]

Stay Connected

Keep up with our latest news, tips and advice. Sign up today!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.