How to be a Good Guest on Evening Weddings

How to be a Good Guest on Evening Weddings. Weddings were almost always held during daytime in the past. But like evolution, the customs and norms on weddings have also evolved over time.

Most couples nowadays find evening weddings more romantic and ideal. Evening weddings have increased popularity over time.

People see weddings, especially receptions as a perfect time to mingle with old and new friends and generally socialize. However, only few know that several wedding etiquettes do exist for evening weddings.

As for almost any issue hounding etiquettes on weddings, you will be surprised how evening wedding etiquettes mainly revolve around the most basic issue and concern on weddings--- attires.

For the bride and the groom, it is surprising that not much is expected during evening weddings. Evening weddings, according to several etiquette books and guides, should be treated as if they were daytime wedding. But take note, the case only applies to brides and grooms.

Being a nice and good guest, you are expected to follow several practical and unwritten guidelines. You would not want to create a bad impression to people, don’t you?

To illustrate the most common dilemma encountered by guests, who really try hard to be good guests, read on for a sample situation that you may have encountered in the past.

An evening wedding situation

Annie was invited to the wedding of a high school friend. The event poses a lot of excitement to her because she sees it as an opportunity to touch base and catch up with old high school friends.

Thus, Annie wants to make sure she will create a good and fashionable impression on that night. She wants to show everyone how she has improved and gotten prettier and foxier over the years.

However, one concerning factor about the wedding was that it is an evening wedding. Annie has attended just a couple of evening weddings before, and those were informal events, unlike this forthcoming one.

The invitation sent to her clearly and boldly emphasized that the guests are expected to come in formal attire. Ahh, Annie thought. That would be to her advantage. She will more exuberate radiance through a beautifully made gown.

The wedding night of her friend turned out to be disaster for Annie. Why? Because with her utmost desire to ‘dress to impress,’ she found that she over did it.

Annie wear a very beautiful and radiant fire-engine red gown. The dress accentuated her figure, and no wonder, she was really beautiful.

If she was beautiful on her gown, what went wrong? What happened in the evening wedding that made Annie want to run out instantly from the event?

Apparently, Annie unintentionally stole the bride’s wedding thunder. Since she came in flaming red and beautiful gown, all eyes were on her during the wedding. Some people, to her dismay, also came to congratulate her, mistakenly identifying her as the bride.

It can never be flattering. Not all eyes were smiling to Annie. The bride’s eyes were flaming red, with anger! All the bride’s maids, and almost all the ladies in the ceremony showed those disgusted and unwanting looks to Annie. She thought, she should never have attended that evening wedding.

Dress for the occasion

Evening wedding invitations that bear the phrase “black tie optional,” indicates that the evening wedding is meant to be a formal gathering and the hosts intend the guests to appear formal.

Men are expected to appear in their tuxedos and women in their evening ball gowns.

For the burden of the ladies, they should first find out about the wedding colors and motifs before showing up at the wedding. Otherwise, they, for sure, would not want to catch hot and daunting eyes during the entire ceremony until the reception.

For the ladies, remember not over do it. Do not steal the thunder from the bride. Do not out do the bride’s maids, the maid of honors and the bride’s mom as well.

Dress down. Find a suitable color and design of the gown that can attract attention, but not too much to the extent that all eyes are totally fixed on you. Remember, it should be the bride who should stand out on her much-awaited moment.

Emily Post Wedding Etiquette Book

Emily Post Wedding Etiquette Book. The Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette book is a very comprehensive book on wedding etiquette. The wedding situations depicted here are full of every situation in which a expecting couple will need to do or just say the right thing.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book has every answer to every question b couples regarding the proper wedding etiquette. Also, included in the Emily post Wedding Etiquette book are very valuable advice on how a couple will set up either a traditional or a non-traditional wedding ceremony.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book also includes the right and efficient way to dress and depends on the level of formality of a couple's wedding, aside from this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book teaches the couple how wedding invitations will be written, etc.

The modern couples who originated from different kinds of backgrounds need the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book. The Emily post Wedding Etiquette book is also needed by the brides and grooms that have entered their second marriages. Aside from this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book is needed by children from a divorce.

Finally, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book is needed by anyone who needs to make sure that will be able to get everything that are just right for their wedding!

To give the reader a sneak peak, here are some of the possible topic or subject that they could read about in a Emily post Wedding Etiquette book:

1. Expenses Handled by the Flower Girl/s in a Wedding

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will usually inform the reader that a flower girl is usually picked as before the age of six years old.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the families of the flower girl or flower girls are expected to cover the expenses for their flower girl dress, for their other attires, and also their travel expenses.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette books also tells us that the flower girls are not usually expected to bring along a shower gift to bridal showers that they may attend.

If the parents of the flower girl or flower girls do attend, the shower gift expectations will be just the same as the other bridal shower guest. If the flower girl or flower girls do attend more than one bridal shower or bridal party, they are expected of bringing only one bridal shower gift.

The flower girls are really not responsible for helping out financially with the bridal shower.

2. Expenses Handled by the Best Man

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the best man will usually handled the expenses for his own formal wear along with his accessories. He will also handle the travel expenses, as well as one shower gift and one wedding gift.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will also share in the cost of the bachelor party.

3. Expenses Handled by the Groomsmen or the Ushers

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will usually note that the groomsmen aged sixteen years and below are not expected to help out with the cost of the wedding.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the groomsmen or ushers will shoulder the expense of their own formal wear as well as their own accessories. The covered expense will also include travel expenses, one shower gift and one wedding gift.

Aside from this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will teach the reader that the groomsmen or ushers will share with the cost of the bachelor party with the best man.

4. Expenses handled by the Ring Bearer and the Trainbearer

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will also teach the reader that the kids under the age of six are okay to be the ring bearer or trainbearer.

The families of the ring bearer and train bearer, however, are expected to shoulder the attires, and the travel expenses of the ring bearer and the train bearer.

The ring bearer and and train bearer is not really expected to bring along any gift to any kind of pre-wedding parties that they may like to attend.

If the parents of the ring bearer or train bearer do attend, the expectations for  the gifts will still be the same as with any other guest. If the ring bearer or train bearer do attend more than just one party, only a single shower gift is expected.

Wedding Etiquett Destinations

Wedding Etiquett Destinations

You might have heard of a couple wearing an alien suit for a wedding dress or a couple who get wed in a pink cadillac in Las Vegas wedding strip. Although it sound like fun, many still don't get the wishes of couples to celebrate their wedding this way.

If you want to have an exciting wedding, you can get wed in an extraordinary way without looking like a psycho for getting married in an alien suit. Destination Wedding is gaining popularity these days because it satisfies the wants of adventurous couples without being a clown.

Destination Wedding is for couples who want to get wed on the sandy beach of Fiji Islands or at the romantic canals of Italy or at the Eiffel Tower.

Wedding guests for Destination Wedding usually are the closest families and friends of the bride and groom. Of course, only those who love you the most will take the time, energy and money just to get to attend your wedding day.

But do you know that there is a list of  Destination Wedding etiquette to follow? Destination Wedding Etiquette is just an enhancement of wedding etiquette that we have come to know.

-- Basic Destination Wedding Etiquette 

* The very first Destination Wedding Etiquette that you should know is that you should tell your guest in advance, at least six months, of the when and the where of your Destination Wedding.

This Destination Wedding Etiquette is important because it will give your guests an ample time to decide whether or not they should attend your wedding. Your guests also needs to check-in in a hotel and fly just to get to your Destination Wedding.

You may ask, should you pay for the travel expenses and hotel accommodation of your guests? Destination Wedding Etiquette tells that you should not. You are not responsible for their tickets and hotel fees. You would go broke if you do. Your guests know this fact and they should not ask you about it in the first place.

If any of them ask you the awkward question of, "Would you I pay for the tickets and hotel fees?" You could answer this way so as not to hurt his or her feelings: "Oh, I would love to treat you for a vacation but our budget is so limited that I could only accommodate your dinner after my wedding." You have better lines than this. Use it using your friendly voice.

* The second most important Destination Wedding Etiquette is to provide your guests with information about the place. You should also scout for the cheapest hotels in the area where they could stay.

You can create a Destination Wedding Information, a brochure type info kit, that contains the basic information about the town of your wedding venue and the scenic places that your guests can go before and after the wedding. Remember that Destination Wedding is like a honeymoon wedding? Think of the best honeymoon places and vacation spots in the area so that couples and singles alike will enjoy the place.

Also, create a map of the area so that your guests would know how to navigate the area.

Other Destination Wedding Etiquette

- Destination Wedding Etiquette allows bride to wear any wedding dress that they would like to wear. Of course, if you are a fashionable bride, you would like to wear a simple yet elegant wedding dress even without looking at Destination Wedding Etiquette books. For chic and fashionable brides the fabric and design of the bride's wedding dress must conform to the location.

For example, if you are getting married at the sandy beaches of the Fiji Islands, you should wear chiffon and even semi-translucent wedding gown in white or other colors like aquamarine. This kind of wedding dress will look very sexy on the beach.

- Bring insect repellant lotions, sunblock and face hydro spritzer like Evian to make your guest feel comfortable in your wedding reception and ceremony which would be held in an unroofed venue.

This is not necessarily one of the rules of Destination Wedding Etiquette. This is just your way of saying thanks to your beloved family and friends who took the time and have spent fortune just to witness you getting tied with your one true love.

Destination Wedding Etiquette for Newlyweds

Destination Wedding Etiquette for Newlyweds. One of the most exciting things to happen in a person’s life is the wedding. Planning for a destination wedding will take a lot of work but the rewards can be worth it. The first destination wedding etiquette is to consider who can attend the wedding location.

Out of town weddings are preferred by couples as a way to lessen the number of guests at the events. Sometimes, when the budget is concerned the destination wedding etiquette is to set aside money for accommodations and transportation for the immediate members of the family and entourage.

For the couple:

A destination wedding can be a fulfillment of their fantasy. When looking for the best place to celebrate, look for these qualities:

·  Accessibility – the hotel and church or wedding location should be near the reception area. This is a destination wedding etiquette in consideration for the family and guests who need to freshen up before the reception.

·  Package – there are hotels or resorts that offer wedding packages. These are discounted rates for a group bookings. Other may include the transportation. It is a destination wedding etiquette to make sure everything is taken cared of.

·  Price – destination weddings can still be costly, especially if there is a theme involved. However, the destination wedding etiquette regarding the expenses are sorted out between the bride and groom.

The destination wedding requirements:

Pushing through with an out of town wedding can be demanding on the part of the couple. The destination wedding etiquette is to make sure everything is in order prior to the wedding date itself. Here are a few reminders:

·  Check if your wedding location requires other legal documents to process the wedding. The destination wedding etiquette is to arrange the papers beforehand.

·  Is there a residency requirement? If so, the destination wedding etiquette is to confirm the number of days required for the couple to stay in that location to make their union legal.

·  Medical tests for both parties should be taken. If the couple arrived a few days earlier to the destination, they are open to the risk of getting a disease. It is destination wedding etiquette to have themselves checked out by doctors just to be on the safe side.

·  Book everything in advance. Making the proper reservations for the hotel, flowers, gowns, music, etc is a sign of prudent planning and a destination wedding etiquette must.

For the guests:

The destination wedding etiquette dictates that you must bring a gift for the newlyweds. A bridal registry is usually set-up for the convenience of the couple and the guests. If the couple’s asks for money instead of a gift, discretely give your envelope to the family of the bride or groom. The key word here is discrete. It would be breaking the destination wedding etiquette code if one grandstands and announces their contribution.

Usually the invitation allows for at least one companion to the wedding. In tagging along more than one companion, consider the destination wedding etiquette of informing the couple beforehand. This will make it easier for them to estimate the total number of plated for the reception.

Bringing along the children is fine for any destination wedding. But as much as possible, keep the event as civilized as possible. The kids will only add to the stress at a wedding and the destination wedding etiquette is to keep the number of children down to a minimum.

Guests can turn the out of town wedding into a mini-vacation just by spending their time together at the venue. However, it is essential destination wedding etiquette to put the couple’s day first before going off on your own romantic weekend.

If the destination wedding is unfamiliar to you it is wise to do some research. Not only will you be able to discover a new place but also you can really enjoy your mini-vacation by visiting the tourists’ spots. Remember, the destination wedding etiquette is to indulge on this only after the wedding event.

For the family:

Both the bride and groom’s family are an important part of the wedding. It is a destination wedding etiquette that they all try to help make this event go as smoothly as possible.

The couple can delegate their wedding tasks to the family to lessen the pressure on the celebrants. It is only natural that the family steps forward and take in as much responsibility as the can as a destination wedding etiquette.

When all the hard work pays off at the wedding, the newlyweds will appreciate everyone for making this the most memorable destination wedding of their lives.

Children and Weddings

Children and Weddings

Most of the romantic and ideal wedding scenes we have seen in movies involve cute and huggable children. However, being the jolly, innocent and fun creatures that they are, most often, weddings, at least in the movies, involving children turn out to be hilarious and disastrously funny.

We know that children are always seeking fun and will not stop to entertain themselves during boring hours. Children can not easily cope up and comprehend the fun adults have on weddings. The occasion can be very boring to them.

When children get bored, they usher in trouble to adults. They can roam around, throw cakes at people, fight with other kids or ruin things. These are fun to them, but can be nightmares to adults, especially to brides and grooms during weddings.

Children and invitations

Admit it. The sad reality is that more and more brides, and grooms as well, do not like the idea that children will be coming over to their weddings.

Just the thought of crying children and children messing up with her gown and that of the bride’s maids make several brides throw up. Another sad fact is that some parents are not very sensitive to the issue. They could not think and understand how a bride could dislike cute and loveable kids in her wedding.

Wedding etiquette books and guides have it that the best way to exclude children to the occasion is to mention it in the invitations.

According to most wedding etiquette books, brides and grooms who dislike kids around their weddings can do two things: one, do not mention kids’ names in the invites; and two, spread the word that children are not wanted in the wedding.

The second option can be brutal, but it is nicer than having to control kids’ tantrums and annoying acts during weddings.

Because not all people understand and know wedding etiquettes, it is advisable that at some occasions, the couple should be straight forward to inform the guests before hand that the wedding would involve an ‘adult reception.’

Frankly telling parents-guests that kids will not be welcome in the wedding can also be a viable option.  For some, the gesture will not be that polite, but practicality will tell other wise. Every bride and groom wants solemnity for their much- awaited moments. Understand that.

Another tactic to exclude children in wedding invitations is to mention the number of seats reserved for a particular guest. For example, Mr and Mrs Winterburg are reserved only two seats at the reception. That means, that Mr and Mrs Winterburg’s five kids do not have places in the wedding. They should know that.

If the guests still fall clueless and insist on bringing along their children with them, call them before the wedding and explain why children should not be attending the wedding. Educate them a little about wedding etiquettes.

Wedding etiquettes for children’s parents

For parents, if it is not mentioned in the wedding invitation that children are not allowed to attend the wedding, and the couple and hosts did not call to emphasize the idea, then it is safe to assume that you could tag along your children.

However, be informed and bear in mind the simple wedding etiquettes for parents. You would not want to ruin the wedding just because your kid suddenly threw an act or suddenly threw a tantrum.

Assume the position of the bride and the groom. Think of how you would feel if you were on their shoes, and children are creating scenes at your wedding. It would not be pretty and cute, right?

Make the initiative to leave your kids at home, if you can help it, when you attend the wedding. They could play around the house or watch the television or do their stuff at home. They might get bored throughout the wedding ceremony and spoil everything.

For those helplessly take along children with them on weddings, wedding etiquette experts advise you to make the most of the opportunity. In other words, make the occasion a venue or time for teaching the kids of simple and practical wedding etiquettes.

Make the occasion a teachable moment by informing the kid that he or she should behave through out the occasion just like how to adult guests behave.

This will be the best teaching occasion to shoe the kids how to act during weddings, or train them about some table and social manners.

Moreover, wedding etiquettes tell us to learn from each wedding. For the couple, on how to be good hosts. For guests, on how to be good guests and for parents to be good teachers to their kids who are incidentally, also attending the wedding.