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Wedding Planning Week in Review

DearSugar — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0700

If you missed any of wedding planning week here on Dear, check out my recap below!

Learn proper wedding reception etiquette, like how to arrange your seating chart and the best way to incorporate speeches and toasts.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently at your wedding?
Know of any wedding disaster stories? Share them with other Dear readers!
Need some help tackling that hefty guest list? Make it easy with Dear's handy tips.
When it comes to inviting kids to the big day, where do you stand?
Weddings are expensive even if it is not yours, so who do you think should have to pay for the bridesmaid expenses?
Stay on top of your wedding planning and check out part two of our wedding timeline.
Would you ever write your own vows?
His mom just won't butt out of the wedding planning! How would you handle this?
I've got everything you need to know to plan your rehearsal dinner without the fuss!

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

Where Do You Stand: Kid-Free Weddings

DearSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Earlier this week, Broke Bride Brooke was put in an awkward situation when one of her guests asked if she could bring her parents to Brooke's small wedding to care for the guest's 2-year-old child. This created quite a dilemma because the bride really can't afford to have them there, which is why I (semi-jokingly) thought TidalWave's suggestion of making it a kid-free wedding was a pretty good one! Now I've never received an "adult only" wedding invitation, and while part of me thinks it makes sense, another part of me thinks it's pretty tacky. I agree that there's a time and a place for kids to be present, but what about those who can't afford a sitter, or new mothers who are still breastfeeding? I think kids bring a fun element to any occasion, but where do you stand on kid-free weddings?

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

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Dear Poll: Would You Write Your Own Vows?

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

It’s getting more and more commonplace for people to opt out of the traditional wedding and come up with something completely their own. Some of the more obvious changes are location, colors, and the use of themes but there are also subtle differences that can make a wedding seem more special, such as writing your own vows. I'm more traditional, but I think the idea of writing your own vows is a really nice way to share your love for one another and make your wedding day unique. So ladies, would you consider writing your own vows? To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.Source

Dear Poll: Would You Write Your Own Vows?

Definitely, I think it really adds something to the ceremony.

No, I’m all about the traditional vows.

I’d want to, but I don't know what I would say.

Undecided

The How-To Lounge: Reception Speech and Toast Etiquette

DearSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

While the toasts at a rehearsal dinner are casual, the wedding reception usually has its own set of more formal speeches. Having planned speeches at your wedding is in no way mandatory, but if you don’t account for them, they’re likely to happen anyway, so before the big day, it’s best to sit down for a few minutes to plan them out. To check out my tips on reception speech etiquette,

Dear Poll: Who Should Pay For Bridesmaid Expenses?

DearSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0700

I think we can all agree that the worst part of being in a wedding is the expense. Though traditionally wedding attendants pay for their own attire and travel expenses, that particular rule has never made much sense to me. Obviously in some cases, especially when it’s a large wedding party, expecting the bride and groom to pay seems unrealistic, but I just don’t know how I feel about this one. Proper etiquette aside, who do you think should pay for the bridesmaid expenses? To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com.Source

Dear Poll: Who Should Pay For Bridesmaid Expenses?

The bride and groom – it’s their wedding.

The attendants – it’s traditional.

Other — Please explain.

Handle This: His Mom Won't Butt Out of the Wedding

DearSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

You get along great with your fiancé’s mom, or you did until the wedding planning got into full swing. At first, her help was great but now you feel like you’re planning her wedding. Her intentions are always good, but she’s very controlling and pretty much demands that she gets what she wants.

On a recent dress shopping trip, she tells you that she doesn’t like the one you absolutely love. His parents are helping out with a lot of the expenses, and you don’t want to offend his mom, but you’ve hit your limit; you love this wedding dress! How do you handle this?

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The How-To Lounge: Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette

DearSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Though often overlooked, the rehearsal dinner is an important part of the wedding-planning process. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy some much-needed fun, but it’s also a way for the bride and groom to give thanks to the people who’ve put energy, time, and money into their wedding. To check out some advice on making your rehearsal dinner just right for you,

The How-To Lounge: Seating Your Guests

DearSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Figuring out where to seat the guests at your wedding is not a small task and can be a source of a lot of anxiety, but I'm here to offer some helpful tips on how to map out your reception seating. Regardless of the kind of dinner you have — sit down, buffet, or station — you have to provide your guests with a place to sit and enjoy their meal and good company. To see my tips, click here to

Do Tell: What Would You Have Done Differently at Your Wedding?

DearSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Even if you didn't have a wedding planning disaster, we all know that hindsight is 20/20 and retrospect can give you a lot of clarity. Since planning a wedding takes an exuberant amount of time and energy, it's easy to miss the little details that could have made the biggest difference on your special day. So for all you married people out there, do tell: If you could have a do over and plan your wedding again, what would you do differently?

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The How-To Lounge: Wedding Timeline, Part II

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Weddings are notoriously stressful, but all it takes is a little organization to make them much more manageable and a wedding timeline can make all the difference in the world! To check out part two in our wedding time line series

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

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Once the save the date cards are out, it's time to plan, plan, plan! As we all know, it takes a small army to plan a big wedding, as well as patience and staying power. But with so many cooks in the kitchen, it's just a matter of time before something goes awry. Even if you're one of the lucky ones who has a wedding planner to help with the details, mistakes can still happen and important details can slip through the cracks. So ladies, what's the worst wedding planning disaster story you've ever heard? Perhaps the invitations were printed for the wrong date or the officiate never showed — whatever your story is, do tell, because we'd love to hear it!

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

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The How-To Lounge: Creating Your Wedding Guest List

DearSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

When it comes to the perfect wedding day, it’s all about being happy and having fun, so it’s incredibly important to make sure that the special people in your lives are there to celebrate with you and your fiancé. Although writing up a guest list might sound like an easy task, things can get pretty tricky when you incorporate factors like budget, venue, space, and your parents' preferences. However, there certainly are a few tips you can follow to avoid the headache — or at least some of it! To check them out,