Ask The Celebration Advisor: I'm the father of the groom, the wedding will be in formal attire and the rehearsal dinner will be semi-formal. Is it appropriate for me to wear a dinner jacket to the rehearsal dinner? If not, what do you recommend? Thank you for your advise!! ~ FV

The Celebration Advisor: Yes, a dinner jacket is appropriate attire. For a semi-formal rehearsal dinner, consider lightweight fabrics in standard colors such as navy blue, black and charcoal gray. Dinner jackets in these colors conform to most formal and semi-formal standards of rehearsal dinner attire. We're sure you'll look dapper!

Something to consider is the type of pants that you will be wearing. Jeans/denim are NOT appropriate for a semi-formal occasion. Semi-formal rehearsal dinners call for a more formal fabric such as khaki or cotton slacks.

A simple suit would be the best attire for a rehearsal dinner. It doesn't have to be your best suit (save that for the wedding) but it can be the runner up. The rehearsal dinner is where you can don your best khaki colored suit, gray suit, or some other neutral color that you are not likely to wear to a very formal occasion. Stray from tuxedos. They're too ritzy for a semi-formal rehearsal dinner.

You'll look great for certain. If you need help picking out appropriate formal wear, contact a local formal wear shop near you. The experts there will be happy to help you create a smooth and refined look.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: My husband and I are moving to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and will be getting married there a few weeks later after all of the details are wrapped up. A few of the guests will be longtime residents of there, well Edmond anyway. I want a very contemporary wedding cake design with a unique flavor. Is OKC too tradition for that to be ok with those friends? ~ Aria

The Celebration Advisor: The simple answer is that you're fine with the wedding cake of your choice. Whether contemporary/modern or traditional, people in OKC tend to have open minds about wedding cakes. Of course, you know your wedding guests and their mentalities so it's easier to judge your decision about wedding cakes based on what you know about your friends.

Remember to keep in mind that this is YOUR wedding day, not theirs. There is no wedding cake etiquette that says you have to have a certain flavor or design at the reception so go with what you think everyone will like but the ultimate choice should be what you like and what you want. Thankfully, Oklahoma City bakeries provide many different options for the wedding cake so you can even get the cake of your dreams locally!

People in Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City metro area are pretty cool with contemporary wedding cakes. You'll find many wedding cakes at OKC wedding receptions that are decorated with color, very unique cake toppers, multiple tiers, and some that are a unique shape. Don't be afraid to step outside of the box with your wedding cake. You're good to go!

Here's a quick hint though: Oklahoma City wedding cake bakeries have seen and created a multitude of contemporary wedding cakes. Bakers and pastry chefs here know the local tastes and that doesn't just refer to flavor. They can give you excellent advice on popular wedding cake styles, designs, flavors and accessories for the perfect contemporary wedding cake. Modern wedding cakes feature a lot of different aspects so be sure to talk them over with a local baker before you make your final decision.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I'm taking my wife on a special date for our 10th anniversary. Is renting a limo going to be too showy for something like that? We live in Worcester, Massachusetts. ~ Ron

The Celebration Advisor: Actually, renting a limousine is a perfect way to make the evening more special! It's a very sweet thought that will stir up a lot of sweet feelings in your wife. As far as renting a limo being "too showy", that all depends on what the rest of the evening holds but the answer is still probably going to be "no, it's actually really nice." Consider things like this before calling a limousine service in Worcester MA:

*Are we going somewhere special for dinner? — Arriving in style is a great way to show your wife that you really are trying to make your evening together as special and romantic as possible. If you roll up to McDonalds, probably. If you take her to a fine restaurant, it's practically expected to arrive in style. You can't get much more stylish than limos.

*Is my wife easily embarassed? — If your wife is the reclusive type who tends to be very reserved and shy, something so elaborate may not be her speed. If she is one who loves attention or loves to feel special for a day, renting a limousine for a night out in Worcester is probably right up her alley!

*Will we run into anyone that we know? — If this is the case, see the above question. If your wife wants to be able to show her friends what a wonderful husband you are, it'll be a great treat for her if you "just so happen" to run into a few of her friends.

*Are we staying the night away from home? – Many couples like to shake it up by visiting a resort, a luxury hotel or spa when celebrating a big number anniversary like yours. If you plan to stay away from home for the evening, consider the cost of renting a limousine either twice or keeping it (and the driver) for the night. After all, you will want a way to get home!

Aside from these things, you are on the right track! Renting a limo from Worcester MA limousine services is a fun and exciting way to live it up for an evening. It is a fantastic way to show your wife that she is the queen of the evening and the most important woman in your life. Way to go!

Ask The Celebration Advisor: PLEASE HELP! My husband and I married in September, 2008 in Jamaica after quick planning. Mainly due to the fact of illnesses in the family. (I took my father-in-law to chemotherapy 3 times per week for 2 years; which turned into taking my mother-in-law to her various appointments. She has been hospitalized 8 times in a year and half. My brother had prostate cancer and had surgery in January. My uncle broke his neck. My husband spent a week in the hospital with blood clots. My mother had open heart valve replacement in May. All six different hospitals, WHEW. Three years went really fast and have no idea where the time went. Now everyone is holding their own and I'm not running as much, leaving time to try to plan for family and friends who long awaited to watch our wedding video. What would I call this celebration? It will be more like an anniversary.Thank you for your advise. Deb

The Celebration Advisor: Deb, good question! This party theme is of particular importance because you all will FINALLY be able to watch the much ballyhooed wedding video. (Yes, I said "ballyhooed".) Is it safe to assume that you need this title for party invitations? If so, you're in luck! I just so happen to have a few. Since you said this is more of an anniversary, consider these suggestions:

• "Celebrate The Day" Party
• "My Favorite Romantic Movie Night"
• "Watch The Wedding Video" Party (Simple but effective)
• "Reliving The Wedding (With You There!)" Party
• "Our Just-Like-A-Second Wedding Party" (Because now your guests will be there)
• "Our Fairytale Wedding Video Watching Party" (Have the front of the invitations say "once upon a time you were invited to…" and then they will open it to this party theme)
• "Second Time Around" Party

Now, you can always go with some of the more simple and obvious theme like "anniversary party" or "wedding video watching party" but spicing it up a little is always fun. Two suggestions for whatever you choose are (1) to make sure that they know you are throwing the party so that everyone could feel included and (2) use a little imagination.

If you feel a little more explanation is in order, put a little description on the inside of the invitation. A few words will actually make the invitations more sentimental because you can personalize these and include your thoughts on desiring your family's presence at this party because unfortunately they couldn't be at the wedding.

Oh yeah, and have fun!!!

Ask the Celebration Advisor: I live in Chicago, Illinois and I want to throw a formal party outdoors. There will be a large attendance and I was wondering how to go about providing food and furnishing the event. Any suggestions?

The Celebration Advisor: An outdoor party is great to have, especially when there is food involved. As everyone knows, food tastes better outdoors. But to answer your question, a local Chicago, IL caterer could easily help you with those daunting tasks.

Some people unfortunately think that all caterers do is cook food for large amounts of people, which they do magnificently. However another role of a caterer is to provide a wait staff, bartender and chefs as well as various other choices for rentals from companies affiliated with the catering service.

Chicago caterers are able to cover every detail down to the glasses, plates and cutlery and color of the table cloths, to the disposable heating ware and serving utensils. Since your party will be outside, renting a tent or two would provide your guests with ample shade. Also available is the option to rent cooling equipment just in case your party is on one of those blistering summer days by the Great Lakes.

Above all else, the food at your party is key. Once you have chosen a caterer, discuss the many varieties of food to be served. Being outdoors, your event may benefit from food prepared on a grill. But don't worry, since parks typically do not have kitchens or the nicest of food preparation stations, caterers have the ability to cook on a portable kitchen. As an added benefit, guests would marvel at chefs creating intricate and tasty dishes for them to enjoy.

I like your idea of an outdoor party and hiring a caterer to help you with it would give your guests an event to remember and give you the satisfaction of hosting the party they just cant stop talking about.