Proper wedding etiquette is required for different aspects of the wedding. From taking care of the invitations, to the transportation, reception details, location and the church, everything has a corresponding proper wedding etiquette to follow.
The engagement:
Proper wedding etiquette should already be observed during the engagement. The news should be announced to immediate family first. A gathering of both families should be arranged. Proper wedding etiquette dictates that if either one has not met each other's parents; they should break the news to one family at a time.
As for friends, the proper wedding etiquette is to announce to them personally after the family.
The wedding preparations:
The wedding theme is the first thing the couple must agree upon since all the details following it will be affected. If the couple chooses a beach wedding, proper wedding etiquette says that everything will be patterned after that. There are wedding planners who can coordinate everything for the couple and is a great help for the bride and groom in organizing their special day.
The question of when and where the wedding will be held is an important topic to consider. The couple must also decide what kind of ceremony they want to have. Will it be a church wedding or a civil one? The proper wedding etiquette is to consult the religious preference of the couple. Sometimes even if they share the same religion, a couple can still insist on the informality of a civil wedding.
The location for the reception is the next thing to decide on. As proper wedding etiquette, the couple must be considerate of the guests. Proper wedding etiquette dictates that the reception area should be close to the wedding location so that the guests and the couple won't be too tired when they get there.
Transportation is another factor to consider. Apart from the bridal car, it is proper wedding etiquette to provide for those who have no cars from the wedding location to the reception area. The couple can ask guests beforehand on who will bring their own transportation so they can estimate how many automobiles they will have to hire for the group.
The reception details:
Of course, a big part of this event is the reception. Even though the atmosphere is more informal, one cannot forget the proper wedding etiquette of having a program. It should really be about the couple, wishes from their family and guests, a time for gratitude and a celebration of the new life ahead for the newlyweds.
The menu, cake, table d'cor, centerpieces, sound system, and entertainment should be arranged months beforehand. The proper wedding etiquette is to follow the allotted time frame for each element. All of this will entirely depend on the couple's taste and budget.
The dresses:
Proper wedding etiquette for any traditional wedding is a white gown for the bride and a favored color for the bridesmaids, entourage and sponsors. However, times have changed and other color palettes are now available for the bride.
The groom and groomsmen usually do not have trouble with their clothes since they wear what is appropriate to the theme and whatever the couple has decided on for the design.
The budget:
All this preparation will go to waste if the couple cannot provide for any of the wedding items. As proper wedding etiquette, the question of who will pay for what is divided between the bride and groom's family.
Traditionally, the proper wedding etiquette is for the bride's family to pay for the reception costs, the church fees, the groom's rings, the invitations, flowers for the ceremony and reception, music, transportation and lodging for the bride's party. The groom's side takes care of the rehearsal dinner, the bride's ring, clergy or officiator's fee the bride's bouquet the flowers for the entourage, transportation and lodging for the groom's party.
Nowadays, a couple can decide what obligations they will handle. But the proper wedding etiquette is to share the expenses, as this will be the sign of their future together.
It is tough job to handle all the wedding details but proper wedding etiquette must be observed at all times. Sometime we tend to forget these simple but very important gestures. We must realize that by following proper wedding etiquette, we help make the event more elegant and memorable.
As a wedding consultant, I am asked questions about etiquette more than any other topic. Brides generally fit into two categories when it comes to etiquette: those who want to plan knowing that their actions will be socially acceptable to avoid any embarrassment, and those who aren't concerned about etiquette because ?it's my wedding and I'll do what I want, thank you very much.?
This article is intended for the latter bride. It is certainly nice to have the table set correctly, the appropriate person in the appropriate spot, etc. However, have you ever considered that other people's feelings are at stake?
Not only can you avoid looking a little silly by overlooking simple etiquette, you can also be kind and considerate to those closest to you who are sharing in your special day. For example, I know of a bride who asked her sister-in-law to be in the bridal party, but not her brother. As I'm sure you can imagine, her brother was not only hurt but was placed in an awkward situation when asked by a guest why he wasn't in the bridal party.
Weddings are stressful enough as it is. Unintentionally hurting a loved one causes tension and disappointment for many. You don't want to start your new life by leaving your loved ones in the dust in your old life.
In my professional opinion, the best course of action to take concerning wedding etiquette is to either discuss your situation with a wedding consultant or read as much as possible on wedding etiquette. Once you are fully educated and well-informed on the topic of wedding etiquette, combine the part of the etiquette that makes sense to you with what you really want for your wedding. Oh, and don't forget to ask the groom his opinion (that would be the proper thing to do, you know)!
Besides wedding consultants and books, there are several great websites that can assist you when determining the correct etiquette for your wedding. Some of these sites are http://www.bridalblog.info and http://www.theknot.com. Be sure to look for helpful information on these sites.
Another great avenue for wedding etiquette is to talk to an elderly person about his/her own wedding. Oftentimes, today's society does not adhere to etiquette as much as was done in previous generations. Not only can you get some great information, you will probably brighten this person's day. Showing interest in someone else's life is another great etiquette tool to have in your bag.
Whatever you decide to do, always keep in mind that wedding etiquette is yours for the taking. It's not something you have to put a deposit down on, taste, or fit onto someone's schedule. It's simply taking the time to let the people you invite to your wedding know that you care enough about them to take their feelings into consideration, even if it is your day. Pleasing your guests in any situation should be the goal of a hostess; pleasing your closest friends and family on your wedding day speaks highly of you and your groom.
Both Joe Silla & Pepper Montero are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Joe Silla has sinced written about articles on various topics from Etiquette, Wedding Invitation Ideas and Wedding Bells. Want to find out about and. Joe Silla's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Pepper Montero has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Bells, Gym and Finances. Pepper and her husband run a wedding coordination business in South Carolina. They have been coordinating weddings for the last two years. This article may be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active.. Pepper Montero's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.