DearSugar -- Just ask.

5 Wedding Traditions and What They Mean

DearSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Something borrowed, something blue, and something . . . . totally bizarre. Don't you sometimes wonder where our weirder wedding traditions come from? From throwing rice to wearing blue, lots of things happen at weddings that I've never totally understood. Mental Floss has a fun list of eight weird origins of wedding traditions. Here are five of my favorite back stories from MF's list of bizarre traditions.

Brides wearing white. Apparently, it wasn't until Queen Victoria donned a white gown that this virginal shade became the wedding-dress color of choice. Before that, a bride was merely expected to dress in her finest finery.
Dads giving the bride away. The tradition of fathers walking daughters down the aisle actually goes back to the days when dads used female offspring as bartering tools to pay off debts or make peace.

Three more fun facts, so

The Big Day Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of the big day coverage this past week, just check out my recap below!

If you've been wondering what the maid of honor should be doing on the big day, then check out my list of MOH responsibilities to get the low down.
Most weddings wouldn't be complete without something going wrong, but do you know of any truly terrible wedding disasters?
Even if the wedding isn't flawless that doesn't mean it's not perfect, so what's most memorable from your big day?
Share your thoughts on the old wedding traditions — tossing a garter belt and wedding night sex — and the more contemporary twists, like letting a friend officiate the ceremony!
Is it OK to ask to bring a date to someone's wedding?
Some couples are brave enough to bust out all the crazy moves at their wedding, but what song did you and your husband dance to?
Are you superstitious? Do you think it's actually bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony?
Wedding day jitters are perfectly normal, but that doesn't make them any easier to deal with, so check out some tips for combating cold feet.
Her fiance's father is a terrible speaker, but does No Speech Please Paula have the right to ask him not to speak at the wedding?
Where do you stand: Should the bride and groom make a grand exit?
Don't forget to take a glance at part four in our wedding timeline series to see all you should be doing two to four months before the wedding.

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Source

Dear Poll: Is Sex Mandatory on Your Wedding Night?

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

It used to be that having sex on your wedding night was the official culmination of becoming man and wife. For many people this remains true, but for others, wedding-night sex, while important, just doesn’t hold the same meaning. Some couples are so beat from the big day that all they really want to do is crawl into bed, cuddle, and fall right to sleep. Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking that night off, but many disagree. So tell me, do you think sex is mandatory on your wedding night? To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.Source

Dear Poll: Is Sex Mandatory on Your Wedding Night?

Without a doubt! You have to start off your married life on the right foot.

I don't think it's mandatory for everyone, but it is for me!

No way. There's no rule that says you must.

Undecided — I'll explain.

Do Tell: What Song Did You Dance to at Your Wedding?

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Songs like "At Last," "Unforgettable," and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" are popular first-dance songs at weddings, and while I'm all for using a traditional love song as the first dance, I think stepping it up a notch is also a fun way to kick off the celebration. Though I don't think I'd have the nerve to do something like the couple below, I would be the first one on my feet rooting them on! So in the spirit of wedding season, do tell: What song did you dance to at your wedding?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

A Do or a Don't: Garter Belts

DearSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The garter-belt toss is a particular wedding tradition that though still in use, hasn’t stood the test of time quite like the bouquet toss and the white dress. I’ve never seen a garter-belt toss that didn’t somehow feel awkward or forced, but I imagine if it's done tastefully, it can be cute. I'm a traditional girl, but still, there’s something weird about watching the bride lift her skirt in front of her closest family and friends! But what do you think? Are garter belts classic or just plain crass?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Source

Do Tell: Would You Let a Friend Officiate Your Wedding?

DearSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

While even the most contemporary weddings can be fairly standard, it’s the personal touches that make a wedding really special. One new trend that I've noticed in many of the weddings I've been to recently is using a friend as the officiator of the ceremony.

At first it seemed strange, but now I happen to love the idea of having someone especially close to the bride and groom standing with them while they make their vows official. While this certainly doesn’t work for all couples, it can be a great way to make a ceremony totally unique if you're willing to try something different. So ladies, do tell, would you let a friend officiate your wedding?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Bella Pictures

You Asked: I Don't Want His Dad Speaking at Our Wedding

DearSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

My fiancé and I are getting married in August, but we're having some issues in regards to toasts and speeches at the reception. Currently, my fiancé's father is planning on speaking. Neither my fiancé or I ever asked him to do so, he's just decided it's what he wants since he's paying for a majority of the wedding.

To make matters worse, we never would have asked him because he's terribly awkward and is known to tell inappropriate family stories. He's long winded, too! I'm terrified that he's going to go on for an hour and completely humiliate us. My fiancé would prefer we just take our chances, rather than tell his dad "no," but I just can't bear the idea of him talking. How can we compromise on this?

— No Speech Please Paula

To see DearSugar's answer,

The How-To Lounge: Soothing the Pre-Wedding Jitters

DearSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

With all the commitment that goes into a marriage, not to mention the time, energy, and money it takes to plan a wedding, it’s easy to find yourself stressed out and coping with some cold feet come the big day. If you’re feeling more than a little worried about your impending nuptials, just

Is It Bad Luck For the Bride and Groom to See Each Other Before the Wedding?

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Since I'm so traditional, you probably won't be surprised to hear that I consider it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding ceremony. Of course some couples don't believe in that old-wives tale, and I'm sure those that do get a peek or even share a moment together before their walk down the aisle still live happily ever after. I'm just too superstitious to chance it. Are you like me? Do you think it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before saying "I do"?

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.

Source

The How-To Lounge: Maid of Honor Responsibilities on the Big Day

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

While many of the maid of honor’s duties revolve around wedding planning, when it comes to the big day, she still has many final responsibilities awaiting her. Although the most important job is to keep the bride as stress-free as possible, there are many other details that shouldn’t be overlooked. To see some of the most significant maid of honor duties on the wedding day,

You Asked: How Can I Say No to Being a Bridesmaid?

DearSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I have a close friend who is a guy. Over the years I have become friendly with his wife: We do things together as a group, but I never call her or do anything with her separately. To be honest, I don't care for her very much; she can be rude and very hard to have around. I have recently tried to distance myself from them, but I just learned that they are having a wedding "renewal" ceremony next year. It's going to be a big to-do — the wedding she never had — and she's planning on asking me to be a bridesmaid. I don't feel close enough to her to say yes, and truth be told, I don't want to spend the money or time on such a commitment. But how can I say "no?" I don't think I can use money as an excuse since the wedding is so far away. My husband and I are planning on starting a family; could I use that as an excuse? — Want to Decline Deborah

To see DearSugar's answer,

Do Tell: What's the Worst Wedding Day Disaster You've Ever Heard?

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Even after months and months of planning for a wedding, it's inevitable that something will go wrong. Whether it's a minor hiccup or a full-blown disaster, all brides have been there. So ladies, even if you aren't hitched, do tell, what was the worst wedding day disaster you've ever heard of or experienced?

Source

The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part IV

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700

As the final months of wedding planning approach it's time to start finalizing all the details. You don't want to let the stress of bridal showers and last minute emergencies get the best of you. So check out part four in our Wedding Timeline series, and find out what you need to do in your last few months before the big day and

You Asked: Can I Ask to Bring a Date to Their Wedding?

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I need some advice on the correct and most gracious protocol on asking about a plus-one to a wedding. I am a bridesmaid in one of my dear friend's wedding. It's a destination wedding so I would love to bring my boyfriend as my date, however it's a very intimate wedding (family and close friends only), with a large reception to follow afterwards, back here at home. While the engaged couple has met my boyfriend, he travels often and hasn't had a chance to get particularly close to them (though they get along very well).

I absolutely understand that this is my friend's day and I will go along with whatever she prefers, even if that means that I go solo, but do you think it's even worth asking her if I'm allowed a plus-one date or should I assume that it's out of the question? I love my friend and I don't want to create any awkwardness or have her feel like she must say yes, but it would mean so much to me to have my boyfriend there with me for the long weekend. — He Wasn't Invited Ingrid

To see DearSugar's answer