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Etiquette Editorial

For all you newly engaged couples out there, you may not realize that are many traditional rules and etiquette that you may want to consider when you start to plan your wedding. For many, the toughest part is knowing where to begin, and we're going to do our best to guide you along one of the most exciting journeys of your life. 

First things First: Creating a Guest List

Before you can plan anything else, you must first determine how many people you will be able to invite to the wedding. Much of this decision depends on who is paying for the wedding and what the budget looks like. If your parents are footing the bill, it is usually best to sit down with mom or dad first to discuss who they want on the guest list. If both sets of parents are contributing, both you and your fiance should discuss this with each other's parents. Afterwards, the two of you may decide which friends and other guests you wish to invite.

However, not every modern bride follows the traditional rules and may choose a different route for planning. Since the wedding is about you and your fiance, it is also acceptable to first sit down with the groom to discuss who the two of you wish to invite. Once the two of you have made an initial list, you can each talk to your parents and arrive at a total number of guests.

Insider Secrets:
If you're not sure which route would be better for you, it may be best to individually discuss traditions and expectations with both the groom and your families. Asking questions and being vocal about your preferences is the best way to avoid stepping on anyone's toes and making anyone feel disrespected during the planning process.

Once you have decided on your number of guest, you can begin to scope out appropriate venues!

3 Things Every Mom Should Know for the Ceremony

Good morning and happy Thursday! I hope the month of May is treating you all well, especially you, Moms! Just in case you need a little pick-me-up or enlightening read, here are the three things every mom should know as they prepare for their son or daughter's wedding ceremony.

1. What to Wear
In my experience, moms often get so wrapped up in helping their son or daughter prepare for their big day that they forget to think about themselves. In other cases, they put off finding the right dress because they don't like the way they look anymore. Well listen up, moms, you are beautiful and the wedding day is just as important for you as it is for the bride and groom. If you think you can just blend into the crowd and no one will notice, think again. While it's true that all eyes will be on the happy couple at first, the second place guests look is to their parents. So, here's a few tips to help you out.

• Don't wait until the last minute to go shopping! We have plenty of gorgeous gowns in stock, but if you need to order something, it can take a few months to come in, so don't wait! 
• Opt for better quality, not a cheaper dress. As I said before, you are important and you should look the part on your son or daughter's special day. Cheaper and lower quality fabrics may not be as flattering on your body, so keep that in mind if you're not as comfortable with your shape. 
• Talk to a consultant. We aren't just trained to help the bride-to-be find her dress, we can also be a big help when trying to select a flattering style gown for any occasion. 
• Consult the bride. You'll want to compliment her wedding colors without getting too close that you blend in with the bridesmaids. Neutral colors are often a safe choice if you're not sure, but a consultant can help you choose a color as well. 
• If you're the mother of the groom, allow the mother of the bride to select her gown first. The two of you should communicate so that your gowns compliment each other and also allow you to fit the theme and formality of the wedding. 

We love these classy dresses from Montage by Mon Cheri

2. What Time to Arrive:
If you're the mother of the groom, you should arrive at the church or ceremony venue with the groom, which should be about an hour and a half beforehand. You can help make sure that the groomsmen and their tuxedos are all in order. If you're the mother of the bride, you should arrive with the bride about an hour beforehand. That way you can help the bride get ready and be part of some extra special "getting ready photos!"

3. What to Do:
For the ceremony, Mother's of the bride traditionally are the first to walk down the aisle and take their seat in the first row on the left, marking the beginning of the processional. The role of the groom's mother depends on what the couple chooses. Typically, the mother of the groom is escorted to her seat by the groom before the processional. However, in some cases, the groom's parents walk down the aisle before the brides parents. It really depends on what the bride and groom envision, so communication is key. After the ceremony, it's common to host the receiving line immediately following the nuptials (Church hallways and vestibules often work best). The brides parents traditionally are placed at the head of the line, followed by the bride and groom and then the groom's parents.

Heads Up to the Bride and Groom: 
The ceremony can be the perfect opportunity for some extra special moments with mom. Make sure your photographer captures those tender exchanges as she helps you get ready. Another way to pay homage to your mothers is to take a moment, before you begin your vows, to present them with a kiss or a rose. The small gesture will be enough to really enhance the beauty of the ceremony and your mom will be more than grateful!

Want to share a special Mother of the Wedding story? We want to hear it! 

Photo Credit: brides.com; emmalinebride; weddingpartyapp

Mother's Rehearsal Dinner Responsibilities

Listen up, Mother's of the Groom, this blog post will be especially helpful for you! In this day and age more and more couples are starting to mix and match which traditions and customs to follow when it comes to planning the smaller events leading up to the big day, such as the rehearsal dinner and the bridal shower. It's important to remember that each couple is unique and that you should always consult the bride and groom before making any plans to ensure you coincide with their wishes. That being said, we're giving you a crash course on your responsibilities as the Mother of the Groom when it comes to the wedding rehearsal dinner.

Traditionally, the groom's parents are expected to host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. The dinner used to take place the night before the wedding, but now it is becoming more common for it to occur up to a few days beforehand (this allows the wedding party some time to straighten out any last minute details before saying "I Do.") If you've never done this before, you may be asking yourself "What is the purpose of the wedding rehearsal?" Basically, the rehearsal dinner is just that - a rehearsal for the big day. It typically involves meeting at the ceremony location so that the wedding party can walk through their basic responsibilities for the day of the wedding. The dinner usually follows after and can be as formal or as casual as you'd like (this is where it becomes important to communicate with the bride and groom). The dinner is a chance for both families to get together and socialize, especially if you have family members from out of town since it may be difficult to get everyone together again in the future.

Here are some timeline tips to keep in mind: We recommend that you book the venue as soon as possible, but generally somewhere within 3-6 months out should be fine. If you're planning something more casual, you may be able to wait even longer, but it's always safer to plan ahead. We also recommend that you send out invitations no later than 4 weeks out from the event, after the wedding invitations have been mailed.

What's most important is to remember not to get too caught up in the planning and organizing that you forget to enjoy the event. It's a time to learn and grow as a connected family and share in the laughter and love that will surround everyone in this happy time. So, eat and drink and spend time with the bride and groom and never forget why you're all together!

P.S. Brides and Grooms: The rehearsal dinner is a wonderful opportunity to hand out any small gifts you have for your wedding party and especially your mothers! We are in love with these adorable ideas that can get mom ready for your special day!

If you still need ideas, check out these links. They have great tips for rehearsal dinner etiquette.
Mother of the Groom Duties
Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a comment! 

Photo Credit: theknot; etsy; etsy; bridalguide; chelseapatriciablog