Ask The Wedding Guide: I live in Florida but my family and wedding shower will be in New York. Because it will be so difficult to fly with our gifts I dont' know how to let my guests know what to give. I have thought about having a gift card shower? Is that common? How do you politely tell your guests in the invitation? Or do you have any other solutions?

Thanks for your help! Anna

Reply:
Anna,

You do have quite the dilemma but breaking a wedding etiquette rule is not a good idea. Wish lists or gift buying instructions are not by etiquette standards permitted on the invitations. Traditional Continue reading "Wedding Showers Etiquette For Traveling Bride" »

Wedding Shower Etiquette: Keeping The Love

What could be better than being in love, surrounded by your closest friends and family, and receiving beautiful gifts from those who know you best? A wedding shower is a lovely event full of both tradition and creativity that is only rivaled by the wedding ceremony itself. Just like a wedding, a shower is an intimate celebration of the beginning of a life together. Good food, gifts, and loved ones–what’s not to like?!

Nevertheless, being the honoree at a wedding shower has its responsibilities. Wedding shower etiquette is something many brides-to-be find intimidating and sometimes a little outdated. However, by adhering to a few tried-and-true rules and suggestions you can ensure that everyone (including you) will have a wonderful time at this special event!

The first thing you need to consider is that, although someone else is planning the party, you as the bride need to have a say in a few key areas such as the guest lists. By keeping a master list for yourself no one will be invited to more than one shower and certainly only those on your wedding invitation list will be in attendance at your showers. Programs like Microsoft Excel are ideal for keeping track of your guests, their contact information, and what shower they attended. You can also add what gift they gave you to make writing thank-you cards a breeze!

When it comes to inviting people to your wedding shower they must first be invited to your wedding and Continue reading "Wedding Shower Etiquette" »

Wedding Showers are not just about the presents; they are great bonding experiences and a way to have fun before the big day. Paintball is a great party theme for a groom's or a couple's wedding shower.

Start by renting a paint ball course for day. Spinning this wedding shower theme into a couple’s shower is easy. Make it a bride's family/friends verses the groom’s family/friends with colorful tee shirts as unique personalized party favors. Each team gets preprinted team shirts … for the Bride’s family, pink shirts with her name printed on them (team Becky), while the groom’s team wears blue with Team Rob printed on them.

Decorations are simple a banner containing the team logos and placed them at each end of the playing field. Continue reading "Paintball Party Wedding Shower" »

Hosting A Wedding Shower

It all began one Sunday morning at church. Let me see the ring? What’s the date? Congratulations were being thrown right and left. Then the most exciting and horrifying words came out of my mouth, “Why don’t we have a wedding shower at my house?" Exciting, because I was so happy for this couple and wanted to contribute something to their joyous time. Horrifying, because now I had to come up with a great party for them.

At some point in our lives, we will put ourselves in a trying situation. Planning a wedding shower doesn’t have to be; in fact, this wedding shower turned out to be a wonderful experience. Traditionally this kind of party was called a bridal shower and involved only the female side of the equation. In fact, it was usually the bridesmaids that threw the bridal shower. Housewares and lingerie were the typical themes for the party; neither of which interested the groom. Well maybe he was interested in some of it – but he still wasn't invited to the bridal shower.

Today, wedding showers are given by anyone willing to throw the couple a party. Modern wedding shower themes include Continue reading "Showering Outdoors" »