–Wedding Etiquette–
– 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 […]
– AskCheryl – 1st Time Bridesmaid Asks, “Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party?”
August 23, 2022
Hello Cheryl, My best friend is having a destination wedding and asked me to be a bridesmaid. I generally do not like the idea of traveling internationally for a wedding, but I agreed to go and be there for her. This will be the first wedding I have ever attended. It’s the first time I’m […]
– AskCheryl – Etiquette for a Second Wedding – Anything Goes?
August 9, 2022
Today’s letter comes from a bride who has been previously married. She wants to know whether the etiquette for planning a second wedding differs from when planning the first wedding. Read on to find out! Dear Cheryl, What is the best way to handle a wedding when it’s the bride’s second wedding, but the groom’s […]
What Should I Write in a Wedding Card?
May 17, 2022
Ideas for what to write in the card for a wedding or bridal shower gift Part of being a perfect wedding guest is finding the perfect wedding gift. But once you’ve found it, an important task looms ahead: writing a note to go along with your gift. If you’re shopping online, the limited space adds […]
8 Steps to Throwing Your First Bridal Shower
March 15, 2022
Hosting a bridal shower for the first time? Ace the celebration by following these eight easy steps! So, you’ve been tasked with throwing your very first bridal shower. While it might seem daunting, consider it a vote of confidence and accept the challenge. As the maid/matron of honor or a close family member/friend of the […]
Bridal Shower Etiquette for All Involved
March 8, 2022
As with all things “wedding year,” throwing a bridal shower comes with certain rules of etiquette—and we don’t just mean for the host. Whether you’re the host, a guest, or even the bride herself, follow the rules below to find out what you should and should not do. Bridal Shower Etiquette for the Bride It’s […]
– 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 […]
Everything You Need to Know About Being a Bridesmaid
January 6, 2022
From the bridal shower to the big day, follow these tips to be the best bridesmaid a bride could ask for! Being chosen as a bridesmaid is no casual commitment — when a close friend or family member asks you to stand up at the altar next to them on the biggest day in their […]
– AskCheryl – If Paying for the Wedding, Should Parents-of-the-Bride Have a Role in the Planning?
December 28, 2021
Today’s question is from a newly minted Mother-of-the-Bride. She and her husband are paying for their daughter’s wedding and want to know their role in wedding planning. Dear Cheryl,My husband and I are paying for our daughter’s wedding. We are trying to help them find a venue, but they don’t want us to be involved. […]
