–Wedding Etiquette–
– 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 […]
– Ask Cheryl – Registry Info on a Wedding Announcement?
April 12, 2022
Over the past few years, many couples have chosen more intimate weddings and then informed family and friends of their nuptials with a printed wedding announcement. Should registry information be included in a wedding announcement? Should those receiving an announcement feel obligated to send a gift? Dear Cheryl, My niece’s son had a small outdoor […]
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. […]
– AskCheryl – What to do with Unwanted Wedding Gifts?
December 14, 2021
In this week’s AskCheryl question, our bride and groom have established lives and don’t want wedding gifts, but a disagreement has come up on how to handle any gifts that they do receive. Hi Cheryl, My fiancé and I are getting married in July. We are 45 and 51 years old. This is his first […]
– Ask Cheryl – Does Wedding Attendance Affect Wedding Gift Value?
October 26, 2021
Today’s question comes from a reader in New York who wants to know if the amount she spends on a wedding gift should be dependent on whether or not she attends the wedding. Dear Cheryl, Is there a difference in the amount you spend on a wedding gift when you attend a wedding versus what […]
– 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 […]
