OK, so that’s a bad hymn joke. But seriously – we love Simple Gifts – and the hymn too. (looking for something for the congregation to sing at your wedding that’s spiritual without having the Lord directly involved? Simple Gifts. Perfect).
We also love Real Simple magazine and they make life so – well- simple with their gift guides. We look for wedding gifts, but also handy for “dads & grads.” Good to help avoid ties and the fly-attracting fruit centerpieces that shall go nameless. Avoid those at your spring celebrations – for the love of honeydew! Let the fruit keep some dignity.
Shop nice everybody – lots of sales for the holiday start early! Get a move on!
Sorry Julie Andrews/Maria, we’ve got a bride on our hands who doesn’t want anyone wearing color at her wedding. So in the coming Oprah-void, for Favorite Things she’ll have to stick to snowflakes and mittens – although this sounds like a summer wedding, so we’ll work on that one. On to our latest reader dilemma: Send yours for us to tackle! Please email us at MyLittleFlowerShopPS@gmail.com, and include the word “etiquette” in the subject line.
Q:
My niece’s wedding invitation arrived and it requests that everyone wear white to her celebration. I thought it was tacky to wear white to a wedding. Also, telling people what to wear seems bossy, and expensive for families. My kids don’t exactly wear a lot of white. Should I talk to my niece about maybe not doing that part?
– Bleach Mum
A:
Mum,
There’s two ways to go here, and we’re advocates of family peace and harmony, so we’d actually advise you to stay, well, mum. Speaking up could upset your niece, which I guarantee will upset your sister. Whether or not your niece has put on her bossy pants, your sister is in the midst of planning her daughter’s wedding (trust me – an emotional time for mama bear) so it’s best to roll with the color scheme. As you hinted, your family will likely only use these outfits once – so they don’t have to be high end designer duds. Check out TJ Maxx, Target, or sites like Overstock.com for low priced, good looking options. And then, day of, admire the truly beautiful effect of a large group of people all in white. Should your niece want our opinion, we’d advise against all white flowers. With monochromatic pastels, however, she’ll knock everyone’s (white) socks off.
What the heck? Who needs to rehearse how to eat, right? May is here and from New York to San Francisco, wedding guests are digging through drawers trying to find invitation maps they buried under receipts and take-out menus. Many will discover that they have been invited to a rehearsal dinner, whether or not they are in the wedding party. We had some etiquette queries come in about rehearsals and the associated dinners, so we’re going to take them on. Do you have questions about being a wedding guest? Write us! We love questions, rehearsed or not. MyLittleFlowerShopPS@gmail.com. Please put the word “Etiquette” in your subject line.
Q: HI MLFS,
Why was I invited to my friend’s Rehearsal Dinner? I’m not in the wedding party, and I’m not family. Is it rude to decline the invitation?
-Barbara
A: Well, Barbara, rehearsal dinners have changed over time. Many are still intimate affairs where the people who are at the actual rehearsal go out to dinner. Others, however, have become parties practically as elaborate as the weddings themselves. Many couples have decided that with guests traveling from afar, it’s nice to invite out-of-towners to the dinner so as to have an activity their first night, and see friends and family. Others choose to invite those closest to them who are not in the wedding party to join the group to recognize their special place in the bride or groom’s life. Regardless of what your friend’s reason was, it’s a nice invitation, and chances are the food will be better than at the Motel 6 coffee shop so hey – why not? As to declining, no it’s not rude, as long as you actually decline according to the invitation’s instructions. If it says to call your friend’s future Mother-in -Law, you should call her, and not just drop your friend an email. People are dealing with caterers and the bride may not have time to communicate (or remember) all such details. She’s a little busy right now. And, needless to say, thank her FMIL for the invitation.
Let the toasting begin! More on wedding guests to come.
Why am I here? For the party, of course! Photo by Sean O'Shaughnessy
