In the midst of wedding planning, a weekend getaway with your best friends sounds like the perfect break from all the stress. But in order to keep your bachelorette weekend truly stress-free, there are a few things brides may want to keep in mind. My favorite source for wedding-related wisdom? Our @Ask a Real Bride […]

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 […]

You’ve been there before…your best friend just asked you to be in her wedding. You’re thrilled you get to stand with her on her big day. Thrilled that is, until you remember that you have to wear a bridesmaids dress. Fast forward a bit. Now it’s your big day and you’ve asked your closest girlfriends […]

The morning of your wedding is a special time: the months of anticipation and planning are finally coming together, and it’s time to soak it all in and enjoy! The best part of the morning is sharing it with your best girls, and one way to make them feel special is to coordinate your bridesmaids’ […]

If you’re a bride currently planning her bachelorette weekend, this is your sign to step back, take a deep breath, and honestly ask yourself: am I planning a girls’ trip or a guilt trip? Since I’ve been writing about weddings for nearly 8 years, people love to tell me their wedding stories–and I love hearing […]

The Ask a Real Bride Instagram page is growing, and we would love to see you there, too! Every week, we discuss wedding etiquette topics like plus ones, dress codes, gift registries, and thank-you notes. And while there are many guidelines for hosting, gifting, and expressing gratitude, there’s one wedding topic that almost no one […]

Your complete guide to gift-giving on your wedding day. Before I got married, I had no idea how much work goes into planning a wedding. My to-do list was long, but the people I enlisted to help had just as much to handle — if not more! It takes a village, and that village deserves […]

Dear Cheryl, Help! I am getting married in 3 months and so far my bridesmaids haven’t helped me with anything! I’m starting to believe they think being a bridesmaid means they get to wear a pretty dress and walk down the aisle. The only time we have all been together was to pick out said […]

There are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding. Today, our AskCheryl reader is an organized bride who isn’t sure how much to spend on gifts for her attendants. Hi Cheryl! I have an etiquette question regarding the cost of wedding party gifts (I also read your article on the topic). We were planning on […]

What should you put in your bridesmaid bundles? Discover our 6 simple steps to a beautiful DIY assortment… Brides, it’s time to pop the question! Yep, you read that right — your fiance may have gotten down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage — now you get to have the fun […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Gone are the days when every bridesmaid was forced to wear an identical dress, no matter her size, shape, or preference. Thankfully, the latest trend for bridesmaids calls for diversity in color and style, rather than conformity to just one dress—which allows for freedom to find a frock that flatters each individual girl! Brides, listen […]

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 […]

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 […]