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Etiquette For Your Wedding Ceremony Program

April 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Wedding ceremony programs don’t only give your guests something to peruse while waiting for the processional. These items also give them a preview of what’s going to happen during the ceremony. They also make nice keepsakes that guests can take home and remember your special day by. Obviously, these are important in your wedding celebration so it’s must to exert extra effort in putting these together.

Content
The purpose of the wedding program is to explain the order of the events, list down the songs and readings, and enumerate the names of the wedding party members so basically, these are what you’ll need to include in there. Now, if you want to make it a little more personal, you may include songs or poems that hold special meaning to you.
You may also use the program to list down your “something old, something new and something blue” or give a tribute to a special person who can’t be with you during this momentous celebration. Details to be included in the program are the introduction, ceremony order, names of officiant, musicians and wedding planners, names of wedding party, list of readings, list of songs. Optional details are memorials, short biographies, quotations, song lyrics, explanation of rituals, story of how you first met, and so on.

Format
Wedding ceremony program can come in different formats. It can be printed on a single card, a multi-page booklet or a tri-fold brochure-like card. See to it that the program matches or complements not only the wedding theme but also the rest of the wedding stationery. The cover should be detailed with the couple’s names, date, location and time of ceremony, and a photograph, image or design element.

Recipients
The rule of the thumb is to allot one program per couple and one per single guest. Sharing is not taboo, after all, this would minimize cost and waste. Eco-friendly ways overshadow etiquette rules so do not think of it as improper to attempt to minimize the use of paper. Also remember that not everyone attending the reception will be present in the ceremony.

Distribution
You and your groom don’t have to be the ones to hand out the wedding programs to the guests. This task can be designated to the ushers or some of your friends. Be sure to give them clear instructions on how you want the ceremony programs to be distributed. They can be given at the door of the wedding ceremony venue as each guests come in or they can be placed in the rows of the seats.

Purchase
A good advice to follow is to order the wedding program at the same time you purchase the invitations and other stationery sets. It’s not a bad idea to make your own too. All you need is to have a computer template and printer, and you can easily create your own.
Following etiquette rules on the wedding ceremony program will certainly save you from headaches and stress.

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The Role of the Mother of the Groom At A Wedding

November 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many times the mother of the groom is as excited as the mother of the bride, but doesn’t quite know how to be part of the wedding planning.  The mother of the bride has her role in the wedding, and the mother of the groom has a different role.

The engagement announcement and first engagement party is the responsibility of the mother of the bride.  As the mother of the groom, you should contact the mother of the bride after the announcement to see whether they want to plan a joint engagement party, or whether they will host one for their side of the family, and you will host one for your side of the family.  Remember, whomever is invited to the engagement party must be invited to the wedding, so both mothers will need to consult with the couple about the guest list.

As the mother of the groom, you will attend (with your spouse) the first engagement party hosted by the bride’s family, and if you choose, you can host an engagement party for your family.  If you plan an joint engagement party, it stands to reason that you will also attend that party, and act as co-host.  Engagement parties are usually small events held in the back yard with a BBQ, or at a local restaurant.  Immediate family and close friends are invited to this event.

Another factor is that the groom’s family contributes to the wedding budget.  The mother of the groom may get more involved in the wedding planning, but this is up to the couple.  Offer your services for specific things, instead of a general ‘give me a call if you need help’.  The bride will be spinning with all the ideas and advice she is being offered, and the groom will probably be overwhelmed and step back until asked to take part.  This is a common scenario, so don’t be offended if your son is not communicating with you about the details.  If you want to know, ask him.  Or call the bride, and ask her–offering to help out where you see it is needed.

In the ‘old days’, mothers usually did not work and were ‘stay-at-home’ moms.  They usually took over the bulk of the wedding planning as a result.  Today it is a different scenario, and couples often plan their own wedding, doing everything themselves because they want to.

The mother and father of the groom will put together a family guest list.  Indicate those who A) must be invited, B) should be invited, and C) would be nice if they were invited.  This list should be give to the groom when he asks for it.

If you have any family traditions or ethnic ceremonies, you should suggest these to the groom.  It is up to the couple whether they want to include traditions in their wedding, or if they want to do it their way.  Most couples welcome suggestions that will add some colour and flair into their wedding plans.

When choosing your wedding attire, you should consult with the mother of the bride about the formality of the wedding so you choose appropriately.

The one event that is traditionally the responsibility of the groom’s family is hosting (paying for) the rehearsal dinner.  The rehearsal dinner should include the entire wedding party, the officiant and their spouse, the wedding planner, and the parents of the bride and groom (including step-parents).  If you have only a few out-of-town guests, you have the option of including them in the dinner, or you can ask another family member to ‘host them’ for that evening in their own home.

The rehearsal dinner is where attendant gifts and gifts to the parents are presented by the couple.  Any gifts the attendants or parent have for the couple will also be presented at the rehearsal dinner.

The mother of the groom’s role for a wedding is to be supportive, give  assistance where asked, and generally be gracious and understanding.  Couple’s do many unthinking things during this busy and confusing time, and many a mother of the groom has been left feeling hurt and slighted.  Good communication with your son about the wedding planning will go a long way to making the process fun and enjoyable.

Filed Under: Marriage Preparation

How Do I Create A WOW Factor?

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Question from Josphine:

I’m getting married in July 2011, and I chose wine and peach as my colours. I want to know how best I can use these colours to make my wedding a “woaw” one.

Answer from The Wedding Expert:

Hi Josphine, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Creating a WOW factor is about details, balance and lighting.

Lighting creates drama.  Lighting draws the eye to where you want it to go in a room.  Lighting can be top down, and/or bottom up.  Up Lights cost around $10 each and can add drama to an otherwise unlit area of a room.  Most Up Lights can swivel, so you can use them as “spots” to highlight a fountain or ice sculpture, for example.

Balance in the overall look of the room is important.  Balance the use of colour throughout the room, and not just in one area.  One way to create a WOW factor with your colours is to keep to white and peach, and then put in punches of the wine colour which is a darker colour.  It will draw the eye and create drama.

And as always, it is in the details.  Many brides overdo it with too much stuff, too many colours and it becomes overwhelming to the senses.  Keeping things simple, with well placed colour will draw the eye.  Candle light makes crystal, glass, and silver sparkle.  Lots of wedding candles in a low lit room will create a WOW factor as well.  Strategically placed Up Lights to highlight the occasional extravagant floral design will draw the eye.

The secret is to keep things simple and white.  Accent with colour and lighting.

Good luck and enjoy.

Angela Fiebelkorn
Wedding Planner and Consultant


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How Do I Decorate With Paper Lanterns?

September 9, 2010 By

Question from Becky:

Hello! My question is about the lighting of my supper and dance. We are having a complete outdoor wedding in July of 2011. The venue we have chosen for the supper/dance is an outdoor covered pad that is about 2500 sq ft. We want to use many different shaped and sizes of white paper lanterns for lighting but are unsure of the amount we need to order. We  want them to be randomly spaced but not cluttered. How many would you suggest we order?

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela Fiebelkorn:

Hi Becky.  Paper lanterns are a lovely choice!  You say the space is about 2500 sq ft.  What size and style are you planning to use?  Are you planning to hang paper lanterns from the ceiling?  Are they the small type that sit on a table that you can group to create centerpieces?  How are you going to light the paper lanterns? Will you string lights up and extension cords, or are you going to just decorate the existing lights in the ceiling.  Will some lanterns be lit, and others just for decoration?

Normally you will have lights every 3 to 6 feet—it really depends upon the wattage of the bulbs.  If you are using bright lights, you can spread them out more.  If your lights are not so bright you will want more of them.  I suggest you take a good look at the venue ceiling to see what it is possible to do.  Talk to the venue people—they have seen a lot of events there and can advise you as to what has worked well in the past, and they can also tell you what hasn’t worked!  Also, there may be fire regulations in your location that they might have to follow, so speak to the venue.  They are the experts at what works at their site.  Utilize that expertise—you are paying for it!

Here is an idea:  if you have the height, you can layer different size paper lanterns one on top of the next one to create a column (or 2)  of light over each table.   Remember at night, light disappears if there is nothing to reflect off of.  Take that into consideration.  Ask to visit the site when they have it prepared for another event so you can see how they have done the lighting.  You might want to go at the end of the event to see how it looks in the dark while they are cleaning up.

As you can see I need a lot more information to answer completely, but this should get you started.  Congratulations on  your wedding!  Enjoy the process.

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