If your parents are divorced, there are probably several different decisions you must make to accommodate, as smoothly as possible, several potentially explosive situations.
 Photo: Chalet Studio Photography, Windsor, Ontario, will travel Here are the following suggestions as alternatives to established tradition.
Your Invitations: It would be proper for the parent with whom you have been living the longest to issue the invitation, if applicable. The other parent is not mentioned. However, if both parents agree, the invitations may be issued in both names.
Introducing the Future In-laws to Each Other: Protocol would dictate the first introduction should be to the parent with whom you have been living, followed a week or so later by a visit with your other parent.
Giving the Bride Away: Unless you are personally estranged from your father, it is he who walks you down the aisle and gives your away.
Seating at The Ceremony: The bride’s mother and her immediate family (parents, husband and children) are seated in the front row. The second row is left empty. The bride’s father, after walking the bride down the aisle, sits with his present wife and parents in the third row.
The Reception Line: Traditionally, the bride’s mother stands in the receiving line and her father mingles with the guests. (no problem here) However, if the brides wants both her parents in the line, be sure to separate your divorced parents with the stepparents or grandparents to eliminate confusion among your guests. If you are serving a sit-down dinner, be sure to assign separate tables for your parents and their spouses.
One would hope that on this, your most memorable day, your divorced parents would set aside personal feelings and consciously avoid creating any tensions.
Just as you would any other legal documents for large items you purchase, such as a car or a home; be sure to have a written contract and/or a letter of commitment from each of your wedding services. This is the only way to assure that you and the service provider agree on all details. Include a departure, goods that will be delivered and time of delivery, contracted costs, overtime costs, deposits required, balance due and due date.
 Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel If you have a list of details (such as types of flowers in each bouquet or arrangements or items to be included (like your total number of tuxedos and their sizes, that you are renting) amend the contract to include that information. Both you and the service provider should sign, and you should both have copies. The contract should clarify any price increases and clearly state that you will pay the original quoted price.
Since your reception will likely be the most costly item in your wedding budget, the contract should contain the most details. If you are purchasing a wedding “package”, make sure that all those items are specifically listed in the contract, from the exact food items and courses that will be served to the brands of liquor poured at the bar to the style of the service (white glove, full tuxedo) that will be attending to your guests during the reception.
If your reception facility is undergoing a renovation, that should be noted in your contract, along with the completion date, as well as any provisions they will make should the renovation not be completed for your day. Any special considerations for your event that are being made by the facility should be noted in your contract. For example, if they are providing table arrangements for you or they are providing extra bar during the cocktail hours, make sure the contract states that clearly.
Other services such as D.J. or limousine, invitations, catering, etc., services should provide times when events are happening and when and where they will be to service you.
Have someone bring your contracts to the wedding to answer any last minute questions or concerns. Purchasing wedding services is the same as purchasing any other item during your daily life. Any time money is exchanged and particularly when it deposits are given months before the service is delivered, it is important for both yourself and the service provider to know the terms of the sale and how it is going to be handled.
” There is only one kind of love, but there are a thousand different versions.” La Rocefoucauld
Your wedding invitation is the first impression that your guests will have of the uniqueness, that is your wedding style. That style, whether traditional or contemporary sets the stage for what’s to come. Your guests get excited for your upcoming nuptials when they receive your invitation in the mail.
 Invitation & Photo by See You There, Windsor, Ontario New style trends are being incorporated with unique creative elements like ribbon embellishments, different die cuts and 3D designs. Brides can choose from handmade papers that offer romantic touches with messages outfitted with bows, ribbons or good luck charms. There are many beautiful options to choose from, including linen papers, corrugated card stocks and embossed that create a sensational and trendy look.
Combinations of bright, bold colours, and recycled paper always carry the beginning of a theme wedding. It’s helpful to have an idea of how formal or informal you want your invitation to be, before you make an appointment with a specialist. Today, your specialist can custom-make invitations and help you with the proper wording for any of hundreds of circumstances and will have examples to show you.
In a time of long distance weddings, a wedding invitation four to six weeks before the chosen date isn’t enough advance notice. The popular “Save the Date” card is a simple postcard, printed notice or magnet that often gives notice of the wedding day months in advance, and require no commitment for a guests presence- that’s why response cards that accompany the invitation are for. They are a friendly FYI of your plans and their interest in having guests participate.
In this day and age, it is still not acceptable to send e-invitations except for engagement parties, brunches, showers or after parties. Remember that some of your guests may not be socially linked so be sure to print additional occasion-related invitations. Nothing takes the place of a proper wedding invitation sent the old fashioned way with a stamp. Your bridal website can be printed on a separate card and enclosed with the invitation and response card. A formal invitation requires a formal response.
Always double check your invitation proofs before sending them back to your stationer. Have someone other than yourself have another look-see also, checking the day and date, the time of the ceremony and the location of the venue.
The language of your invitation is predicated by the place you are holding your ceremony If you are marrying in a religious place of worship, the invitation language should read, ” request the honour of your presence. If the ceremony is being held elsewhere, the wording will read “request the pleasure of your company.”
Whatever style of invitation you are looking for, it’s important to find a stationer that has lots of experience in both traditional and custom wedding invitations, and can handle the creative process from your engagement to your wedding day and beyond with thank you cards.
For invitation information and where to find a Wedding Guide Preferred Vendor in Windsor|Essex County, refer to:
http://www.bridaltalk.theweddingguide.ca - Invitations
Life moves quickly these days with instant communication via email, blogs and cell phone calls. When one receives a piece of mail there is something special about it. With an impending marriage and many pre-wedding celebrations like engagement parties and showers, there will be thank you notes that must be written.
There will also be invitations to accept from good friends and family that wish to share in your news. Thoughtful and timely correspondence needs to be thoughtful.
 See You There Invitations, Windsor, Ontario: Photo by Judene McCalla Your thank you notes should be in the mail one week after the gift is received. The standard for wedding gifts, today is now three to six months, which is acceptable, however sooner is always better. It can be a daunting task to have 200 notes to write; doing a few a day and having your spouse assist will get the job completed in a more efficient manner.
It’s never too late to send it out and during busy times such as a holiday season, people will understand why your note is delayed. Be sure to write your note and mention the gift or gesture that you are thanking the person for. It need not be a letter; three or more sentences is more than enough unless it is someone extremely close to you. Be sincere with your thanks!
 Judene McCalla photo: See You There Invitations A formal note is correct protocol for a wedding gift, flowers, bridal showers or any present received for a special occasion. Informal thank yous are sent to the host/hostess who gave a party, gifts that you receive via delivery or special favours that are appreciated.
Receiving an invitation requires proper social etiquette. RSVP (répondez s’il vous plait simply means, please respond. Also, indicate if you are bringing a guest (the invitation will say and guest) Your host wants to know whether you are attending, so they can have a proper guest count for food. They also will be ordering table seating cards and will require lead time for those items.
When you are unable to attend an occasion where an invitation was issued, regrets is the term used. Fill out the RSVP and get it in the mail quickly. When issuing your wedding thank yous, it is nice to include something special like a favourite picture from your special day. Family and friends, both from far and near will love to see you happy and glowing!
 See You There Invitations, Windsor, Ontario Knowing the proper protocol of etiquette makes you stand out with your message. It will surely set the tone for making someone’s day as they bring in their daily mail.
Correspondence that is on time and thoughtful will be appreciated by the receiver. It will also let them know that you received their gift and, that you are acknowledging it. Although life has changed in many areas, those special thanks yous are a necessity, particularly after an event like a wedding day.
“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.” Le Menterur: Pierre Corneille, 1642
The first bridal shower was in Holland, when a young woman fell in love with a poor man. While her father said no to the proposed marriage, her friends, “showered her” with gifts so she could marry without a dowry.
 Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario-will travel The bridal shower today is a evolution of history, with their friends and relatives wanting to see them starting life well equipped!
There are many different ways that a wedding shower can be hosted in the 21st century. Girls Night Out where the bride is living, or a trip out of town have become very popular. There are all types of venues to choose from. Or the traditional restaurant is always a fine option. Budget and the personality of the bride will be the best way to approach this party.
The rules of etiquette for a wedding shower apply only to the hostess and the guest list. No member of the bride’s or groom’s family should host the shower. Traditionally it is up to the Maid of Honour to plan this event. or a special aunt or cousins.The bride’s mom should be spoken to about the guest list. If a name appears on more than two lists, the hostess may call to tell that person to request that she need not bring a gift. Two showers should be the limit.
Send out shower invitations after those for the wedding have been mailed. Invite only those who have been invited to the wedding.
If you are invited to a wedding shower, you must give a gift, whether or not you are attending. The gift should be taken to the shower or given to the hostess, prior to the party.
Invitations to a shower can be extended by note, telephone, word of mouth or via email.
It is not necessary to invite everyone who goes to a shower to the wedding, but it is good etiquette to send them an announcement after the wedding.
|