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Although the wedding planning process can be hectic, staying organized and optimistic can make the day enjoyable for each guest, and most importantly, the newlyweds.
“Everyone should make the time to speak regularly with the bride and groom to be sure they are fulfilling their duties,” said Denise Dinyon, Lenox gift-giving and etiquette expert. Dinyon offers some tips for those in the wedding party.
The Bride and Groom
- When it comes to thank-you notes and bridal party gifts, it is important not only to remember those who attended, but also those who helped celebrate from far away. More than half of U.S. adults (53 percent) reported they always send a gift to weddings they can’t attend, according to the sixth annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette Survey.
- Designate a person to take care of the minor details on the wedding day so the groom doesn’t have to track down the DJ or round up friends for photographs. This person can either be hired help or a trusted friend, but be sure they have a schedule of approximate times of events like the couple’s first dance, bouquet toss and cake cutting.
- Provide entertainment to guests and an opportunity to socialize with unknown seatmates via fun icebreakers. At each table, fill a bowl with pieces of paper that spark conversation by asking guests such things as how they met the bride or groom.
The Best Man
- Help free the new bride and groom of unnecessary worries on their special day. Hold on to payments for the day’s vendors and be sure to disburse the checks to the appropriate people by the end of the reception.
The Maid of Honor
- Streamline the planning process for the bride by creating an easy-to-remember e-mail address that can be sent out to wedding guests. This way, questions can be directed toward you, keeping the bride less frazzled.
The Parents
- If you are paying for the expenses of the wedding, be sure to sit down with the bride and groom early to set expectations for costs. It's also important to communicate costs throughout the planning process, but remember, just because you are paying for it does not mean you get to decide every last detail of how the money is spent.
Most important, Dinyon said, everyone should remember to relax and enjoy the moment. The best gift to give to the bride and groom is to celebrate what brought everyone together in the first place: love.
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