WHY DO I NEED TO HIRE A BRIDAL CONSULTANT?

A consultant will take care of all of the details of your special day so that you have time to spend with your fiancé and families to have fun and enjoy your engagement. On your wedding day, your consultant will work behind the scenes to ensure that your wedding is effortlessly executed. With so many brides and their parents working, a bridal consultant can handle much of the time-consuming, detailed planning for your wedding. You save time, reduce stress and concentrate on having fun as your wedding approaches. Remember that your bridal consultant is a part of your budget, not an extra expense.

WHO HOSTS THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY?

The bride-to-be’s parents usually host the engagement party. However, today, anyone can host, including another family member, friend or the couple themselves. If the engaged couple’s families are in different geographic locations, it is acceptable to have more than one engagement party.

DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR WEDDING PARTY'S HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS?

Traditionally the bride and groom were responsible for paying for each of their attendants’ accommodations. However, if your budget does not allow for this you are not required to do so. Today, most bridesmaids and groomsmen do not expect the couple to pay for their accommodations. If they do, you may politely explain to them that it is not within your budget. They should understand. If not, perhaps you should reconsider whether they should be a part of your special day.

CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE MAID OF HONOR?

Yes. If you feel uncomfortable or simply do not want to choose between siblings, family members or friends, you can have two principal attendants. You can make them each feel special by giving them different duties related to your wedding.

MUST EVERYONE WHO IS INVITED TO MY BRIDAL SHOWER BE INVITED TO THE WEDDING?

Yes. Any guest who is invited to your shower should also be invited to your wedding. An exception would be co-workers who give you an office shower. They are not required to be invited to the wedding. Keep this in mind when making up your shower guest lists.

HOW DO WE LET GUESTS KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT INVITED TO THE WEDDING?

If children are not invited, the proper way to inform guests is to only write the parents’ names on the invitation. You should never write “No children” on the invitation. Another way to inform guests is to spread the word through your friends and relatives. Either way, once you decide not to invite children (other than those included in your wedding party), to avoid any hurt feelings, make no exceptions.

ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING ENTERTAINMENT FOR OUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS?

No. It is not the bride and groom’s obligation to provide constant entertainment for out-of-town guests who are not part of the wedding party. However, it would be a nice gesture to provide your guests with a list of things to do and see and restaurants in the area. You could also find out if the “host hotel” would set up a hospitality suite one night for people to mingle and have light refreshments. Another alternative is to ask a friend or family member to host a dinner, barbeque or cocktail reception at their home for your out-of-town guests. Or if your budget allows, invite them all to your rehearsal dinner.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE MAIL OUR WEDDING INVITATIONS?

Six to eight weeks before the wedding date. If you are planning a destination wedding you should send your guests at least the date, time and location of the wedding as soon as you finalize that information so they can make travel plans and request time off from work, if necessary.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HOSTING THE REHEARSAL DINNER?

It has become customary for the groom’s parents to host the rehearsal dinner. However, they are not obligated to. If the groom’s family does not or cannot give the rehearsal dinner, one may be arranged by the bride’s family or the couple. Remember that the rehearsal dinner should never be more formal than the wedding reception.

WHO SHOULD BE INVITED TO THE REHEARSAL DINNER?

You should include members of the wedding party, the officiant, parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, and any siblings of the bride and groom who are not in the wedding party; the wedding party’s husbands, wives, fiancé/ees, and live-in companions. Children of the bride and groom from a previous marriage or relationship. Stepparents and their spouses should also be invited but should not be seated next to their former spouses. You may also include the flower girl and ring bearer. Children may be excluded if their age, the hour or formality of the dinner makes it difficult for them to attend.