–Wedding Etiquette–
– 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 […]
– 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 […]
– 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 Cheryl – How Much Should I Give for a Second Marriage?
June 13, 2023
It’s very common to receive an invitation to an “encore” wedding – the wedding of a couple getting married for the second or even third time. Choosing the perfect gift can be challenging, especially when it’s not their first time celebrating this special occasion, and it’s normal to wonder how much to spend. Dear Cheryl, […]
– Ask Cheryl – How Many Should Be Invited to a Bridal Shower?
May 23, 2023
Is it just me, or have you noticed that bridal showers are becoming larger and larger? Today, I advised a concerned hostess on how to handle a ballooning guest list. Read on for my tips and the etiquette behind why showers shouldn’t feel like mini-weddings. Dear Cheryl, I’m co-hosting a bridal shower for my niece […]
– The Morning Of – 6 Ways Bridesmaids Can Help Create Calm, Not Chaos
May 11, 2023
Bridesmaid dress? Ordered! Bridal shower? Check. Bachelorette weekend? Done! After months of anticipation, a few pre-wedding festivities, and around a thousand messages in the group chat, you might get the sense that your bridesmaid duties are winding down. But the hours leading up to the ceremony are some of the most crucial moments for bridesmaids: […]
How to Address Wedding Invitations
May 2, 2023
You’ve invested time, money, and care into choosing wedding invitations that reflect your personal style and tone of the wedding. The final step: addressing the envelopes! It seems straightforward: title, name, address. But as you scan your guest list, you may find yourself with questions. We’re here to help! Read on for guidelines for every […]
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 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 […]
– 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 […]
– Ask Cheryl – Are Aunts Expected to Host a Bridal Shower?
January 10, 2023
Hi Cheryl, I am officiating my niece’s wedding and am wondering if it’s appropriate, or expected, for me to help pay for the bridal shower? I already donated $100 toward the shower and bought a gift. There are only a few bridal attendants: 2 bridesmaids, a junior bridesmaid, and a flower girl, so expenses for […]
– Ask Cheryl – Wedding Invitation Not Specific, Can I Bring a Guest?
October 11, 2022
Today’s question is from a wedding guest who is confused about whether she can bring a “plus-one” to the wedding. Dear Cheryl,I am a single woman who received an invitation to a friend’s wedding. The wedding invitation came addressed only to me. There was no inside envelope which usually states Karen and Guest. In addition […]
– Ask Cheryl – Travel, Hotel, and a Wedding Gift Too?
September 27, 2022
Wedding guests often wonder if they should give the couple a gift even if they must incur 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 […]
