Smartphone Etiquette and Unplugged Weddings

February 29, 2024

Think about the last time you were at a wedding. How many guests had their cell phones held up the moment the processional music started to play? I’m willing to bet there were quite a few. You may have even been one of them! I remember planning my own wedding years ago and wondering whether […]

– 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Best Personalized Gifts for Your Wedding Party

August 22, 2023

Show each individual in your bridal party just how much you appreciate them with a personalized gift before the wedding. There is nothing accidental about a bridal party. Each bridesmaid and groomsman holds a special place in your lives as a couple — whether they’re childhood friends, siblings, or college buddies — and they’ve likely […]

16 DIY Ideas for Your Wedding

August 15, 2023

Once you start planning your wedding, you begin to realize how many small details are involved — and just as many opportunities for DIY projects! Every aspect of your wedding can be turned into a fun way to express your creativity or add a unique touch to your special day. Not sure where to start? […]

– Ask a Real Bride – How Do I Ask My In-Laws to Contribute?

July 20, 2023

If you’re not yet part of the Ask a Real Bride Instagram community, you have to join us: brides to be, mothers of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, and anyone who loves weddings will find daily etiquette Q+A’s, fun videos, and quick tips to make wedding season more enjoyable! Week after week, brides (and sometimes […]

– Ask a Real Bride – Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About Kids + Weddings

June 22, 2023

The @askarealbride Instagram page is growing into a fun community for brides, mothers of the bride, bridesmaids, and wedding guests to interact, ask questions, and weigh in on wedding etiquette hot topics. If you haven’t joined us there–what are you waiting for? One of the most frequent topics? Kids and weddings! I’ve written extensively about […]

How to Be the Perfect Mother of the Bride (MOB) or Mother of the Groom (MOG)

June 20, 2023

Every wedding year comes with a classic list of “dos” and “don’ts,” and the Mother of the Bride (MOB) and Mother of the Groom (MOG) have their own, too. If you’re unsure how to handle the wedding year of your soon-to-be-wed son or daughter, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. We’ve even tapped our resident wedding […]

– Ask a Real Bride – Ways to Honor Your Mom at Your Wedding

June 6, 2023

While the bride and groom are obviously the stars of their wedding day, the third most visible role belongs to the father of the bride: he often escorts the bride down the aisle, gives a speech at the reception, and shares a dance with his daughter while everyone looks on. The irony? In the lead-up […]

Preserving Your Wedding Day Memories

May 30, 2023

Your wedding day will feel like one you’ll never forget, but there are plenty of ways to keep the memories alive for your marriage years ahead. The day after your wedding is often full of stories from the night before, fresh in your memory from less than 24 hours earlier. If you close your eyes, […]

5 Fresh Summer Bridal Shower Themes

May 18, 2023

The weather is heating up. It’s summertime and we have some fresh and fun bridal shower ideas to celebrate your beautiful bride-to-be. 1. Ice Cream Bridal Shower Summer is the perfect season for an ice cream social! Use a color palette of pastels (think “mint chocolate chip” green, “strawberry” pink, and “French Vanilla” yellow) to […]

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 […]

– 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? […]

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