Gone are the days of stiff and formal receiving lines, fixed top table seating and wedding gifts being displayed the day before the wedding for all guests to view. These days we have more of an ‘anything goes’ attitude to our weddings and as long as it works for you and keeps your guests happy, then…why not??
There are however still plenty of guidelines to refer to when organising a wedding for the bride who wants to ‘get it just right’, a few of which are highlighted below.
• Invites – Make sure guest names are spelt correctly. When you do not know the guest’s partner’s name, a quick phone call to find out will rectify this and ensure no offence is caused – the last thing you want to do when sending out your beautiful invites.
• Personal wedding websites are now very popular to communicate all details to your guests and can be updated as and when new information is available. However this should not be the only way of communicating wedding info to the guests as it can ostracise the elderly and luddite (internet –shy) guests.
• These days many couples have set up home before they marry and do not have the need or room for gifts. It is now considered acceptable to ask for money though you must explain where this will be going i.e. honeymoon or home improvements and word it politely.
• Receiving lines are in decline and can be considered old fashioned. However guests will still want the chance to speak to the happy couple and it can be hard to get a chance during the busy day. Between courses is a popular time for the couple to circulate, maybe table by table, though nervous brides may shy away from this and prefer to stick to the receiving line.
• Favours are no longer necessary and are loosing face. They can be waste of money and time as many guests often leave them behind and there is no etiquette for these being on the tables.
There are however still plenty of guidelines to refer to when organising a wedding for the bride who wants to ‘get it just right’, a few of which are highlighted below.
• Invites – Make sure guest names are spelt correctly. When you do not know the guest’s partner’s name, a quick phone call to find out will rectify this and ensure no offence is caused – the last thing you want to do when sending out your beautiful invites.
• Personal wedding websites are now very popular to communicate all details to your guests and can be updated as and when new information is available. However this should not be the only way of communicating wedding info to the guests as it can ostracise the elderly and luddite (internet –shy) guests.
• These days many couples have set up home before they marry and do not have the need or room for gifts. It is now considered acceptable to ask for money though you must explain where this will be going i.e. honeymoon or home improvements and word it politely.
• Receiving lines are in decline and can be considered old fashioned. However guests will still want the chance to speak to the happy couple and it can be hard to get a chance during the busy day. Between courses is a popular time for the couple to circulate, maybe table by table, though nervous brides may shy away from this and prefer to stick to the receiving line.
• Favours are no longer necessary and are loosing face. They can be waste of money and time as many guests often leave them behind and there is no etiquette for these being on the tables.
Great to see an insightful wedding blog online... keep it up Sian... (and great website) ;-)
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