Wedding Etiquette
Wedding etiquette is something that most will only
be somewhat familiar with until they have been a part of an event.
As those who are already married will attest, sometimes wedding
etiquette issues arrive when communication is unclear.
Of all the family members and friends who participate in a couple's
wedding, the two who probably hold the event dearest are the two
mothers.
While old-fashioned wedding etiquette states that the bride's family
holds financial responsibility for the event, there is plenty to
be done on both sides, including for the two moms.
The following are the rules of wedding etiquette for the mother
of the bride:
* Help the bride select her wedding attire, but let the final
decisions belong to her.
* Assist the bride and groom in coming up with a wedding budget.
* Oversee the making of the guest lists and then order the wedding
invitations.
* Set up any needed hotel reservations for out-of-town guests invited
by the bride.
* Choose her own wedding gown for the big day and then inform the
groom's mother what kind of dress she purchased so that she can
find one in complimentary color and style.
* Relay the instructions for the ceremony and any wishes the bride
has for personal touches at the event.
* Find someone not in the wedding to assist in hosting the event.
* Offer her home as wedding headquarters for the florist, caterer,
wedding party, etc.
* Help make the groom feel like part of the family, and invite him
over for a social dinner before the wedding.
* Organize the wedding flowers.
* Draw up the reception seating
plan.
* Select and book the wedding
photographer.
* Invite the mother of the groom to the bride's pre-wedding parties.
The following are the rules of wedding etiquette for the mother
of the groom:
* To initiate phone contact with the parents of the bride after
hearing the news. If they've never met, she should introduce herself
and her husband. While not necessary, an informal or formal dinner
invitation is common. The soon-to-be-wed couple need not attend.
* Find out how many guests she is allowed to invite.
* Allow the bride's mother to choose a wedding
dress, and then pick one herself that's complimentary in color
and style.
* Set up any needed hotel reservations for out-of-town guests invited
by the groom.
* Pay for the bride's bouquet
and mother of the bride's corsages.
* Set up and host (along with her husband) the rehearsal dinner,
inviting members of the wedding party and out-of-town guests. Venue
rental, floral centerpieces,
and decorations should all
be paid for by the groom's parents.
* Stand in the receiving line of the reception and greet guests
while also introducing her friends and family to the bride. She
should be positioned between the bride and her mother.
* Cover costs of the honeymoon, talking to the couple early on about
budget constraints and travel desires.
* Attend the bride's pre-wedding parties (with an option to attend
the bachelorette party)
These are some of the basic wedding etiquette tips that will make
the ceremony and reception, plus pre-wedding activities go that
much smoother. Remember than no everyone will be informed and adept
at wedding etiquette, so communication is the key to making sure
all goes well with all parties involved.
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