Wedding Etiquette: - Summarized

Unique Wedding Program Etiquette and Wedding Announcement Etiquette

Looking for solutions for your specialized wedding needs? Whether you are planning a traditional or contemporary wedding, we have unique wedding program etiquette and wedding announcement etiquette suggestions for you here!

Other Wedding Stationery Etiquette

So you have selected your wedding invitations, and you feel like you are done with the wedding stationery. Think again! There is also wedding program etiquette, wedding place card etiquette and wedding announcement etiquette to attend to. If you want your programs, place cards and announcements to all reflect the theme of your wedding and have a design and style to complement your wedding invitations, you should consider having them designed together.

Wedding Programs Etiquette

If you are having a ceremony that not all of your guests will be familiar with, such as a religious ceremony or a unique ceremony that incorporates cultural rites, you may want to consider putting together a wedding program. Even unique fairy-tale-type nuptials require some sort of wedding program so guests can follow along and know where they are in the time line of the entire ceremony.

Any program should include the processional, service components and explanations of any ceremonial elements that may be unfamiliar.

Wedding Place Card Etiquette

Seated dinners of more than 20 guests typically require place cards to help them find the right seats. Typically designed to match the rest of your wedding stationery, these place cards can be pre-printed or hand written. The most common way to introduce place cards to guests is by placing them on a table at the entrance. All names will be in alphabetical order with a table number so the guests can guide themselves to their tables in an organized fashion.

More upscale weddings often employ a host of ushers that guide guests to their tables according to a guest list and seating chart. Once there, the guests will find that their place cards are already in place.

Wedding Announcements Etiquette

As a good rule of thumb, wedding announcements, while not required, should be sent to acquaintances, friends and relatives who were not invited to the wedding, but may show an interest in your marriage. A good audience would be your co-workers or distant relatives. A common mistake is sending these announcements to guests who were invited to the wedding.

Wedding announcements should be sent within a few weeks after the wedding. In a perfect world, they'll all be sent within the first few days following.

The wording and design of the announcement will be similar to what you used on the invitation. If you chose a more traditional invitation where the parents did the "inviting" then that's the way it should be on the announcement. However, more modern couples choose to have the invitation-and announcement-come from them rather than their parents.

Thank You Cards Etiquette

Thank you cards are perhaps the most forgotten part of the wedding. Couples concentrate so heavily on the ceremony and reception and all of their collective elements that they forget post-wedding courtesy.

Many couples choose to have their thank you cards printed to match the rest of their wedding stationery. While not required as a matter of etiquette, this is often a good idea.

Everyone who attended the wedding should get a thank you card-whether they brought you a gift or not. If they did bring a gift, it's okay to mention the gift specifically in the thank-you card. If they didn't bring a gift, then thank them for attending.

Couples or families who received one invitation should get one thank you card rather than sending one thank you card per individual.

Whether you are ordering announcements, thank you cards, programs, invitations or other stationery, it is a good idea to order everything together in order to save money and assure the designs are consistent.

Important FAQs on Wedding Decorum

Q: Should guests have a say on the menu?

While it is not mandatory, it is still a thoughtful gesture to allow them to share their ideas or inputs on food. After all, you want them to enjoy and feel comfortable during the wedding. You really don’t have to conduct a 100% guest survey, but just keep in mind that there may be vegetarians present during the celebration too.

Q: Are wedding favors necessary?

The wedding favors can be your sincerest expression of gratitude to your guests for being a part of the occasion. Moreover, these will serve as great keepsakes for your big day.

Q: Should the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses and accessories?

It has always been an accepted custom that the bridesmaids are responsible for their own wedding attire and accessories. That is why it is appropriate to give each of them a gift as a token of your gratitude.

Q: What is the most appropriate number of bridesmaids?

It is actually your choice. But you don’t want your wedding to look like one giant parade. Six bridesmaids is considered by some as plenty. But at least, if one or two won’t be there for some reasons, no one will notice you’re one bridesmaid short.

Q: Is it ok not to invite co-workers?

Of course, it is. Especially if they’re not the people you maintain close friendships with, then there is no reason why you should stretch the budget for them. Just tell them politely that the wedding is going to be attended only by your family and that your budget does not allow you to hold a big one.

Q: When should thank you notes be sent out?

Sending these out about three to four weeks after the occasion is appropriate. Remember though that these should never be typed, but should be handwritten. Make sure that you include the guests’ names and your very own thank you notes to them.

Q: Should my RSVP state my bridal registry?

No. this is not appropriate. This will look like you are soliciting gifts from your guests. Instead, have your own wedding website. This will allow you to provide all the details of your wedding, with links to the bridal registry.

Q: Is it proper to dance with both fathers in my life?

This is your wedding. And even if there are certain traditions to live by, you can still get away with your own rules. If you are close to both fathers, then by all means dance with both of them. However, if you feel that you will be creating a tension by doing so, then refrain from doing it.

Q: Should I use the gifts I received even if I call off the wedding?

Your wedding gifts and those that were given during your shower should be returned in case a couple’s wedding is canceled or is annulled prior to their living together.

Weddings entail so many preparations that some people do not have the time to check if they have everything under decorum. Since wedding celebrations have vastly evolved throughout the years, there really is no definite standard for them.

During the preparations, what you have or how much you spent on them is not really important. You may have the best and the most expensive wedding essentials the world can conceive, but they don’t really serve that much purpose any way you look at it. The important thing is you have found someone whom you love to have close for the rest of your life.

And what better way to celebrate this magic than by having the people who matter most witness it? You don’t have to go over etiquette book to do things right. So before you make or alter any wedding plans, see everything from your guests’ point of view. What you don’t like seeing or hearing, won’t be pleasing to them as well.

Anyway, granting that you only have your closest family and friends on your wedding, you can ease up on decorum. Because no matter how you planned your wedding to be, they’ll surely let you get away with it. After all, you don’t get to celebrate your big day often.

Planning to tie the knot, follow these tips and it will become a lifetime experience which you ad your beloved one will never forget And Have a good luck

Wedding Speeches - Wedding Speech Two

This is the speech I gave when my eldest daughter, Marie got married last year

I am sure you could modify this one with your own daughter's and son-in-law's names plus any relevant jokes that fit their situation.

This one also takes about 3 minutes or so when you're sober, but add one minute for every glass of wine you've consumed before giving your weeding speech.

Wedding Speech Starts:

Good afternoon, my name is Ricky, and I am Marie's Dad. As Father of the Bride, it is an honor and my pleasure to be first to speak today and propose the toast to our bride & groom.

On behalf of me and my wife Janette as well as Pat & Fred, Paul's mum & dad I'd like to welcome all the relatives and friends of both families to this very happy occasion as we celebrate the marriage of Marie and Paul.

I've been advised not to speak for too long because of my throat; what Janette actually said was she'll cut it if I go on for too long!

The first wedding speech I ever made was at our wedding 34 years ago and my speech that day started badly, and finished worse. I've had some practice since so I hope this one turns out a bit better.

First of all I want to thank Janette for not only being chief worrier for this event, but more importantly for being an outstanding mother and the guiding influence in the upbringing of Marie.

I'd also like to say thanks to the hotel catering staff for a superb meal.

As you know it is traditional for the Brides father to offer some worldly thoughts and advice about marriage, and during the last 34 years I've learned a few things.

Paul, we're delighted to welcome you into the family, and you're probably wondering what on earth you let yourself in for. I want you to know that Janette and I took to you instantly. You are a kind, considerate, man who deserves a good wife. And you chose Marie.

Marriage is a great institution - and while some say Paul belongs in one, I'd like you to know he's already become like a son to me - cocky, impudent and cheeky!

When you buy flowers...it proves your guilt. But it's even more serious if you don't and the only time you'll have the last word is when you say "Yes Darling"

Janette and I are very proud of all three of our children, but especially proud today to see Marie looking so beautiful on her wedding day. It seems only five minutes since she was toddling round the garden in nappies chewing slugs. Her artistic side somehow always involved orange wool, and when she was a little girl she would pose as soon as she saw anyone with a camera. These days she would rather be on the other side of the lens and her diet is rather better too.

Marie, be magnanimous when you let Paul have your way; in your marriage you'll find that you make all the minor decisions whilst Paul will make all the major decisions. And Paul, in future all decisions will be minor.

Marie and Paul are extremely well suited, aren't they? They're happy and love each other. That should be enough. It's been said that marriage is a 50/50 partnership. Whoever said that knew nothing about women and even less about fractions.

Anyway, I can see Janette is eyeing up the cutlery so I think it's probably time for me to sit down.

Before I go some words for both of you: in any marriage there is no challenge that can't be overcome by just three simple, three word sentences: I was wrong. You were right. I love you.

• Marie and Paul Here's to the past for all that it's taught you
• Here's to the present for all that you share
• And here's to the future for everything you look forward to

Ladies & gentlemen please stand and raise your glasses with me in a toast to the health and happiness of our Bride and Groom, Marie & Paul.

I will now hand you over, to my son in law, Paul to say a few words.”

New Here , want to read the first part then please go to:

Wedding Speeches - Wedding Speech One

Related Articles:

Four Steps To A Great Wedding Speech

Wedding Speeches - Wedding Speech One

This is the speech I gave when my youngest daughter, Jane got married

I am sure you could modify this one with your own daughter's and son-in-law's names plus any relevant jokes that fit their situation.

This wedding speech takes about 3 minutes or so when you're sober, but add one minute for every glass of wine you've consumed before giving your weeding speech.

Wedding Speech One Starts:

Good afternoon, for those who don't know me I am Ricky, Jane's Dad.

As Father of the Bride, it is an honor and my pleasure to be first to speak today.

On behalf of myself and my wife Janette as well as Margaret & Adams, Mike's parents I would like to welcome all the relatives and friends of both families, to this very happy occasion celebrating the marriage of Jane & Mike.

I spent hours preparing a long speech for you today because I knew that's what you would be looking forward to, but I'm only going to speak for a couple of minutes because of my throat . If I go on too long Janette has threatened to cut it.

It seems only five minutes ago, this little girl was toddling around our first home chattering away non-stop. You couldn't shut her up and some things never change

Where has the time gone? Mind you it's nearly two years since they both set up home together and we've only just rediscovered the "Lost Bathroom"

We are really proud today, to see Jane looking so beautiful & married to Mike. During the time we've known him, we've really come to like him and realize how special he is to her; and anyone can see that they're made for each other! Mike you've always been welcome in our house, but it's now too late for refunds or returns. With or without a receipt.

We are also very proud that Mike's parents feel the same about Jane. They've clearly taken her to their hearts, and I believe that she is now their daughter, in fact as well as in law!

Apparently it's traditional for the bride's father to offer some worldly thoughts and advice about marriage. I've learned a few things about it during the last 32 years our anniversary is later this month, so perhaps I'm at least part-qualified...

A marriage certificate is like a lottery ticket. You pin all your hopes and dreams on it, but you don't really know how it'll turn out. I hit the jackpot with mine and I'm sure you two are both winners.

To Jane, the definition of a perfect wife is one who helps her husband with the dishes....

And to Mike, remember, man is unfinished until he finds a wife then he's completely finished!

• To both of you: I wish you fun and excitement for today.
• Hopes and dreams for tomorrow.
• and love and happiness forever.

Finally before I ask you all to join me in a toast and this couple fly off for their honeymoon, I should just remind Mike that the honeymoon is the period between "I do" and "you will"

Ladies and gentlemen please stand, raise your glasses and drink a toast with me to the health and happiness of our bride & groom Jane & Mike

Ladies and gentlemen, I would now like to hand you over, to my son in law, Mike who is dying to say a few words - as few as possible I think.”

Four Steps To A Great Wedding Speech

Introduction:

I've been fortunate just recently in seeing both my daughters get married to good men.

The only thing was it raised two is janette’s: does this mean I'll become a grandfather (heck at 56 I'm too young - grandfathers are old aren't they?) and I would have to give two wedding speeches!

So here's my formula for a great wedding speech:


1. You must want to do it;

2. You must prepare your wedding speech very well;

3. You must prepare yourself very well and

4. You must make sure you enjoy it.

So it's quite straightforward really; just 4 easy steps that anyone can follow.

Read On...

1. I really did want to do it; I relished the challenge of preparing something from the heart that would be memorable for my daughters and entertaining for the gathered family and friends.

2. Preparing the wedding speech well is key to your whole success as a wedding speaker.

As I was father of the Bride it would fall to me to speak first after which I could relax and see how well the other speakers would get on. There is a formula for a great wedding speech which if followed makes everything so much easier.

• Introduce yourself and the other parents and welcome family and friends of both sides.

• A couple of mild humorous references to your daughter's childhood and teenage years.

• Say how proud you are of her and her choice of husband.

• Make a joke or two at his expense.

• Offer some worldly advice about marriage, being experienced in these matters.

• Give some serious thoughts or a prayer for their future together.

• Propose the toast to the happy couple then hand on quickly to the next speaker.

3. Prepare yourself well by writing out your speech and practicing often. The best way to practice a wedding speech is to read it aloud in front of the mirror until you feel comfortable with the words. When you feel a need to change a word or two - do so! You'll soon feel it becoming a natural flow and you will be able to memorize it easily. But take a copy with you!

4. Enjoy it - it's your daughters big day, something to be proud of so savor the day and lock it in your memory.

Follow the 4 easy steps and you have the formula for a great weeding speech.