The Celebration Advisor: Honestly, it's not a good idea. You won't get scolded by the wedding etiquette gods, but you may burn a few bridges with friends. To prevent any hurt feelings, wedding etiquette dictates that you should avoid this if at all possible. One solution is to find a bigger reception hall in San Jose or near there. Another solution is to narrow the guest list to the 175 most essential people. Since this will definitely hurt feelings, my best advice is to opt for a large reception hall. Otherwise, you'll have a lot of offended people to deal with after the honeymoon and who wants that?

Best Man Duties Prior To The Wedding:

• Help the groom shop for formal wear (tuxedos, shoes, etc)
• Coordinate tux fittings and payments
• Plan the couple's wedding shower and/or bachelor party
• Spread word about couple's registry (the maid of honor also has this duty)
• Offer assistance to the bride and groom with wedding planning tasks
• Arrange travel and lodging for all groomsmen
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Organize groomsmen on wedding day

Best Man Duties At The Wedding:

• Stand at front next to groom and other groomsmen as procession begins
• Carry bride's wedding ring (or both)
• Escort the maid of honor during the recessional
• Sign marriage license as a witness
• Give the officiant's fee to the officiant

Best Man Duties At The Reception:

• May stand in receiving line (if appropriate)
• Sit at head table next to bride
• Make first toast to the couple, serve as toast master
• Dance with maid of honor during first dance (if wedding party is asked to participate)
• Help direct vendors as needed (Bride and groom will be too busy)
• Help groom give final payments and tips to wedding vendors
• Collect gifts and gift checks brought to the reception (Assist the bridesmaid)

Best Man Duties After The Wedding:

• Return all tuxedos to the rental shop
• Drive newlyweds to their wedding night hotel or airport (if no other transportation is arranged)

The groom, on the other hand, is from a religious background that doesn’t include alcohol in their wedding receptions. Their wedding guests are mostly from the bride’s family and friends, but the couple feels they need to consider how to make their reception accommodating to both groups.

The Solution: BOTH

They have decided to host an early reception, with no alcohol, immediately following their wedding. All guests are invited to enjoy a great buffet, punch and wedding cake, dancing and the like. After two hours, they will have a champagne toast that will open the bar.

Making It Work:
They have appropriately informed their guests through their wedding program that no alcohol will be served during the first two hours of the reception, but will be served the final two hours.

As some of their relatives have strong beliefs about not drinking alcohol, I believe this is a really generous and considerate way of handling what could become a sticky situation. Those guests who have been told about the reception plans have expressed their gratitude to the bride and groom for thinking of them and the children who will be there.

I say, if this is how the bride and groom begin their marriage—by considerately adjusting their plans to accommodate others—theirs is a marriage that will be marked by unselfish love to one another and those important to them.

This wedding tip was brought to you by www.weddingandpartynetwork.com, your number 1 source for wedding planning.

Maid of Honor Pre Wedding Duties

• Help bride shop for gown (if she desires)
• Help bride shop for bridesmaids dresses
• Get the word out about the wedding registry, even if listed elsewhere
• Coordinate bridesmaids' dress order, fittings, alterations, payment, and dressing
• Arrange the travel and lodging for the bridesmaids
• Organize bridesmaids on wedding day
• Fix the bride's train before the processional starts
• Attend rehearsal dinner
• Create a wedding day emergency kit (just a reminder!)
• Plan and attend the wedding shower and/or bachelorette party
• Help with wedding planning tasks (a girl needs all the hands she can get!)

Maid of Honor Duties During The Ceremony:

• Walk down the aisle during the processional
• Adjust bride's train once she reaches the altar
• Hold the bridal bouquet while the bride and groom exchange vows
• Carry the groom's wedding ring
• Sign marriage license as a witness
• Walk in the recessional with the best man
• Organize programs, tossing petals, etc.

Maid of Honor Duties During The Reception:

• Stand in receiving line (if appropriate)
• Help bride bustle her gown
• Sit at head table next to groom (if wedding party is seated at head table)
• Prepare and present a toast to the couple
• Dance with best man during first dance (if the wedding party is asked to participate)
• Help direct vendors as needed (the bride shouldn't have to worry with this on her big day)

Maid of Honor Duties After The Wedding:

• Take the bride's wedding dress to the dry cleaner
• Help organize gifts and gift checks brought to the reception
• Help oversee wrap-up after wedding reception (if needed)

Now, this can be accomplished in many ways, but the basic idea is to have a table specifically set aside at the reception with a "tree" on it—usually a large branch—that is in the center of the table. Paper clips and small envelopes are provided so guests can clip their bills or envelopes to the tree. By the end of the reception, the tree is filled with monetary gifts to help the couple as they begin their life together.

The money tree can be a decorative focal point at the reception. The branch can be placed in a large container, weighted down with rocks and covered with moss. The branch could be sprayed white or silver, and you could even put mini white lights on it for a beautiful effect. If you’re having a wedding near the holidays, a miniature Christmas tree would work great.

I think this is an especially helpful idea if the couple has just purchased their first home. Gifts from the money tree could actually pay their first month’s mortgage.

This traditional wedding reception idea was brought to you by weddingandpartynetwork.com, your number 1 source for wedding planning.

Pre-Wedding Bridesmaids Duties:

• May assist in shopping for dress
• Attend at least one bridesmaid dress shopping event (unless an out-of-town attendant)
• Get fittings and alterations as needed
• Help with wedding planning errands
• Help plan wedding shower and/or bachelorette party
• Attend the parties!

Bridesmaids Duties At The Ceremony:

• Walk in the processional (might be with groomsman)
• Stand at the altar or stage throughout the ceremony
• Walk with a groomsman in the recessional
• Help bride dress and prepare for the wedding

Bridesmaids Duties At The Reception:

• Might be announced at the reception
• Sit at head table (if reserved)
• Take part in first dance (if wedding party is asked to participate)

Now you're just a few short steps away from being the best bridesmaid in history! Simply help your friend shine on her wedding day and you're both off to a good start!

*marching band fanfare*

Contemporary Wedding Reception Centerpiece

This is a beautiful centerpiece perfect for a contemporary wedding reception. It's elegant, fun, stylish, sleek and sophisticated. In other words, the perfect decorations for the modern bride! These flowers have all of the components of a great wedding reception centerpiece. You have height with the foliage. You have color with the cool red roses. Plus, your eye is drawn to the cool angles formed by the grasses used to create width. Beautiful and intricate!

This contemporary wedding reception centerpiece was created by Ginkgo Floral Design, a flower shop in Toronto, Ontario specializing in wedding flowers.

Small Bowl Floral Centerpiece

This is a very beautiful and elegant centerpiece which is why it's making the top 5 wedding reception centerpiece list this month. This is a picturesque centerpiece made using just three components:  a small round vase, a single orchid (similar flowers will work), and a few shoots of long grass. The way they mesh together so beautifully makes it hard to imagine the careful creation of the centerpiece. Definitely a favorite!

This beautiful photo of a contemporary centerpiece in a round vase was submitted by The Enchanted Florist, a flower shop in Mount Vernon Washington specializing in wedding flowers.

Mirror Underneath Centerpiece

The mirror at the bottom of these centerpieces make it perfect for a classy wedding reception. Light shimmers and bounces off of the mirrors and the square vases of the centerpieces for a beautiful and eye-catching appearance. The flowers in each centerpiece complement each other masterfully. Candles add a great touch whether lit or not. Tiny glass crystals (glass rocks will do also) add extra shimmer and sparkle. After all, what's a girl without her accessories?

This centerpiece on a mirror base photo was submitted by Perfect Presentations, a wedding coordinator and florist in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Poolside Wreath Reception Centerpiece

Time for a dip? Not yet! First guests have to stop and enjoy the way the table centerpieces play off of the floating flower arrangements at this wedding reception. Centerpieces like these are beautiful because they really pop against a black tablecloth plus they look great with all of the other decorations. If you're in the mood for an outdoor wedding reception, consider centerpieces like these that have stand-out and blend-in appeal.

This poolside table centerpiece photo was submitted by Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts, a wedding florist in Tampa Florida.

Elegant Contemporary Tulip Centerpiece

When you think of contemporary centerpieces for a wedding reception, this is one that quickly comes to mind. Red tulips form the bulk of the centerpiece (or at least the most eye-catching part). Their stems are swirled around in the standing vase along with some long grass shoots. Add a little water and you have yourself the #1 table centerpiece for the month! This arrangement is great for any wedding reception because red is the color of passionate love. Red tulips? … it's just like whispering sweet nothings in someone's ear.

This contemporary tulip centerpiece photo was submitted by Nanz & Kraft Florists Inc., a wedding florist in Louisville Kentucky.

However, for those not quite that bold, I thought this would be a great way for the wedding party to make their entrance at the wedding reception. Most receptions begin with the wedding party introductions. Each member of the wedding party could enter the reception dancing. Or the wedding party could enter the reception with a choreographed dance. This is actually a rising trend in wedding receptions. Naturally, the bride and groom would be the last to enter, which could flow right into their first dance.

I think this is a great way to kick off the wedding reception giving the guests a great view of the newlyweds with a little wedding reception entertainment to boot.

One of my favorite songs is the classic “At Last.” I can see that being a perfect “first dance” song, but any song that is meaningful to the bride and groom would work well. After the first dance, the bride and groom could proceed to cutting the cake or greeting guests, and then continue with the father/daughter and mother/son dances. I’ve attended receptions where the official dancing didn’t start until the reception was well underway, and I really like this idea of starting the reception with some upbeat, celebratory music.

*tribal drum rhythyms*

Tall Calla Lily Centerpiece

Want something quick and simple with all the elegance of a time-consuming arrangement? Try calla lilies arranged together in a tall rectangular vase! Whether a wide rectangular vase or something more square, calla lilies enhance the shape of the vase. Calla lilies also add the height needed to attract the eye. Unique vases paired with beautiful and classic flowers like calla lilies are an excellent addition to the wedding reception flowers.

This calla lily centerpiece was submitted by Kings Creek Flowers, a florist in Miami Florida specializing in wedding flowers.

Eiffel Tower Reception Centerpiece

If you're looking for unique, this is the way to go. This tall centerpiece features roses coming out of an L.E.D. base in the shape of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This kind of centerpiece is great for themed wedding receptions or wedding receptions modeled after the enduring sensuousness that Parisians are famous for.

Even if the Eiffel Tower isn't your thing, the idea of a vase in the shape of something important to you or a famous landmark is something worth discussing with your florist.

This Eiffel Tower centerpiece was submitted by Perfect Presentations, wedding consultant and wedding florist in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Lighted Vase Centerpiece

Anything that draws attention to the centerpiece itself is a winner. Unique ways to light the design are key to getting a quick glance in the direction of the flowers. ("Oohs" and "ahhhs" to follow) This unique floral centerpiece features a simple frosted vase with a few string lights on the inside. They glow almost like fireflies in the twilight sky in this photo. The full, massive appearance of the flowers at the top of the centerpiece really pulls the arrangement together in a fun way.

This lighted vase centerpiece was submitted by Always In Bloom, a talented florist in Knoxville Tennessee specializing in wedding flowers.

Ricker Rocks & Orchids Tall Centerpiece

These centerpieces feature three key components for a truly beautiful and unique centerpiece for any wedding reception. First, the vases are a break from traditional round or cylindrical vases used in many arrangements. Square and rectangular vases add a hint of something more classy but not classic, stylish and not dated.

Another great appeal of the tall centerpiece is that the vase is lined with river rocks. This breaks up the look of simply flowers in a vase. Plus, the color contrast works splendidly with the orchids inside the vase. Finally, the flowers themselves are gorgeous and appealing to the eye with their stunning green color.

This tall centerpiece in a rectangular vase was submitted by Monday Morning Flower & Balloon Co., a florist in Princeton New Jersey.

Floating Orchids Wedding Reception Centerpiece

You can count on floating flowers centerpieces to get a great reaction at the wedding reception. These are so unique and up-and-coming that many brides are discovering their "awe" factor thanks to local florists who specialize in contemporary floral centerpieces. This beautiful centerpiece features orchids under water with a floating candle on top. Clear glass rocks at the bottom sparkle and shimmer for a complete look

This beautiful floating centerpiece was submitted by Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts, a wedding florist in Tampa Florida.

She went all out on a special food table filled with some really creative foods that kids enjoy. There were heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit roll-ups lined up like soldiers on a silver platter, a fruit centerpiece filled with fun-shaped melons, apple and orange slices, strawberries and grape kebabs. There were also kid-friendly chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces, and ants on a log (celery sticks smeared with peanut butter with raisins on top). A local bakery had made schoolhouse shaped cookies decorated with icing for a sweet treat. She even had small cartons of milk on ice in a silver punch bowl.

But she didn’t stop there. There were tables specifically for the students and their parents to sit, decorated with their school colors—green and gold. Wedding favors were at each place and included pencils, crayons, notepads and other school supplies wrapped up in cellophane bags tied with green and gold ribbons.

It struck me how much this teacher had really thought of her students and wanted them to have fun and feel welcome on her most special day. I’m sure each of those children will never forget that teacher or her wedding day.