Wedding FAQ
1. Is it appropriate to mention gifts on the wedding invite?
Although many couples continue to have the details of their wedding registry or their preference for cash printed onto the wedding invitation, it is generally considered to be inappropriate. Some alternatives would be to tell the Maid of Honour or Bridesmaid about what is required and where it can be bought so that she can tell interested guests, or relying on word-of-mouth.
2. Should the groom pick out an engagement ring by himself?
If he wants his proposal to remain a total surprise (as many women want their proposals to be), he should prepare by walking past jewellery shops with his potential bride and casually getting a feel for her tastes. If there are still doubts, he may be able to arrange with the jeweller that he can return the ring if she does not like it. Alternatively, he may choose to present her with an impressive diamond or stone, which she can then incorporate into the ring of her choice.
3. MUST he propose with a ring?
Not necessarily, unless she will be expecting it in which case it would not be appropriate to disappoint her. He may choose to opt for a small gift or simply make the entire proposal special enough to create a memory, rather than making the ring the focal point.
4. Do bridesmaids and groomsmen have to be of a specific gender?
Interestingly enough, there is nothing that dictates that either the bride or groom’s attendants have to be of the same gender. Really, these ones are in place because they are special to the bridal couple, so they can be of any gender.
5. Does there have to be an equal number of attendants on the bride and groom’s sides?
No. It is perfectly acceptable to have one Best Man and four Bridesmaids, for example.
6. What are my options for a less expensive wedding dress?
The prospective bride will need to contend with many financial options and pressures during the wedding planning process. Although the dress is often the most important facet for her, it is also one of the most expensive. Should she need to consider less costly options, she can choose to hire a dress, buy a second-hand gown, have it made by a friend or family member or alter a formal, store-bought dress to create a unique, tasteful outfit.
7. What should I do when my mother is taking over my wedding planning?
Whether or not she is paying for (or contributing towards) your wedding day, your mother will need to remember that this is your day. This is not always easy to convey without an argument. It may work well to give her control over one or two specific aspects of the wedding, so that she feels useful and she can focus on these (e.g. the flowers, RSVP’s or wedding cake). If this does not work, you may need to have a firm, but kind and gentle conversation with your mom, asking her to back off slightly.
8. My divorced parents refuse to come if the other is going to be there. Who do I invite?
It is not fair for parents to impose their own issues on the couple, who are already under enormous pressure making this important life decision and trying to arrange it. The wisest course of action would probably be (depending, of course, on personal circumstances and the context) to invite both of them and let them decide on how maturely they will handle the situation.
9. What should I do with presents that I receive before the wedding?
These can be opened and a ‘thank you’ card sent. However, if anything happens so that the wedding does not take place, the person that gave you the present will need to be reimbursed – either by returning the gift so that they can get their money back or by paying them what the gift is worth.
10. Do I have to feed photographers, videographers etc...?
It is usually expected that these ones will be fed at the wedding reception. If there is not food available, they will usually leave the reception to get some, which could take the better part of an hour. They work for a long time on your wedding day, concentrating on capturing all of the special moments of your big day or on providing entertainment (in which case they also need to set up and break down). Therefore, it is both considerate and, often, expected that they will be catered for.
Photo Credit: www.mifare.net
