IN BLISS

Eti q u e te
Ruffled
Feathers
By Ca sey Howe r
My family and friends take up the majority
of our guest list, with my fiancé only having
a handful of attendees. Is it okay to have
guests sit on both sides of the ceremony site,
regardless of their connection to us?
Q
A
MY SORORITY SISTER HAS ASKED
TO BRING HER BOYFRIEND OF
THREE WEEKS TO OUR $125/PLATE
RECEPTION. I ONLY PUT HER NAME
ON THE INVITATION, SO I THOUGHT
SHE WOULD UNDERSTAND! I DON’T
WANT HER TO BE UPSET WITH ME,
BUT IT’S JUST NOT IN OUR BUDGET!
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Rest assured that it is your guests
who are breaching etiquette,
not you! You have specified on
the invitation who you are asking
to attend your wedding, so your
intention was made clear. Be
honest with guests making this
request. As much as you would love
to let everyone attend, you simply
cannot afford it. It’s your expense
after all, so people will understand.
Absolutely! It is your wedding after all! Just
inform your ushers that once your side starts
to fill up, to start seating people on the other
side. If the guest says something, simply have
the ushers inform them about your wishes
regarding even seating.
One of my bridesmaids keeps complaining
about the dress that I’ve picked out. What
should I do?
As the bride, ultimately you have the final
say on what your bridesmaids wear. With
that being said, you should also keep a
few things in mind when picking out their
attire. If their body types and budgets
have been considered, then it is time for
your bridesmaids to be supportive of your
decision. If a particular bridesmaid is still
complaining about your choice, perhaps
pull her aside and simply say, “I am sorry you
are unhappy with the dress I’ve chosen. As
much as I love having you in my bridal party,
I would understand if you felt the need to
step down.” This way, you have left the ball
in her court. Chances are she won’t want to
back out, and she will get the hint about the
dress.
My parents are paying for the wedding, but
my fiancé’s mom wants to have a say in
everything!
She’s excited about her son’s upcoming
nuptials, so try to be understanding. Beat
her to the punch by asking her for help
with certain, smaller things, up front. Good
suggestions could be: helping with the
seating chart for her family, planning for out
of town guests and the mother of the groom
dance. She just wants to be involved in some
way, so try to make her suggesstions feel
welcomed; even if you don’t end up using
all of them!
10 IN BLISS