So happy to be back! - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Sharon Naylor · #1 05-01-2006, 12:42 AM

Hello again, everyone! I'm so thrilled to be invited back to answer your questions. This time, we're focusing on EVERYONE AROUND THE BRIDE. That means advice and solutions for you if you're the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, the groom, maid or matron of honor, best man, anyone in the bridal party, or anyone participating in the wedding, reception or wedding weekend events. Brides and grooms, feel free to post questions you may want to subtly hand along to anyone who's...well...giving you some trouble. I'll straighten 'em out.

From budget issues to party planning ideas, etiquette questions, problem mediating, planning surprises for the happy couple, and welcoming the bride and groom to your family or circle of friends, I have tons of ideas for you.

Be sure to check out my books specifically for some of you Inner Circle people: MOTHER OF THE GROOM, THE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE BOOK, THE GROOM'S GUIDE, THE BRIDESMAID HANDBOOK, THE ULTIMATE BRIDAL SHOWER IDEA BOOK, and THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO WEDDING ETIQUETTE. I also have YOUR SPECIAL WEDDING TOASTS, if you'll be speaking at the wedding or at pre-wedding events. Visit www.sharonnaylor.net for more on my books, and I do believe Steven has the books here on the site, too.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! And an early Happy Mother's Day to all you moms and moms-to-be on the Pash forums.

Sharon

cru5h · #2 05-01-2006, 12:58 AM

Happy to have you back!!

swtdl11552 · #3 05-01-2006, 04:22 AM

I wasn't here the first time around - I'm so happy to be here this time! I have a question about bridal showers. I keep hearing about more than one bridal shower. When my MOH invites people, its going to be based on a list that I give her. I have no way of knowing if my close friends from work are going to have a separate shower for me - how do I work that? Do I NOT include them in the list? I just don't really understand how it all pans out that people have 2 or 3 showers without any overlapping... any input?

Sharon Naylor · #4 05-01-2006, 04:37 PM

Great question! Since today's bride and groom get an average of 2-3 bridal showers, it's impossible to avoid overlap. Some people in your Inner Circle will be invited to several showers, and it's their choice if they wish to attend more than one (be prepared...many don't, and that's okay). In this situation, you'll give your MoH your full and complete list since this is considered your Main Bridal Shower. Don't leave out your co-workers or anyone else you think *might* give you a shower, since that would be assumption on your part. Just give the full list for this one, and your responsibility and etiquette are covered! If other hosts want to invite people who are already invited to other showers (or who get invited in the future), then that's just more fun for them to look forward to. People understand that you're not really in the planning loop. They don't get offended if they get invited to more than one party, so you're in the clear (most are happy to be so popular and wanted at so many parties

. You WOULD cause some sparks if you left people off your original list...so just proceed as you're planning to, and let the future parties unfold as they will. It's terrific of you to keep your friends and family in mind like this, though! More brides should be like you!

If you have any other questions, just let me know! This is a terrific forum, and no question is off limits.

Sharon

555Ann555 · #5 05-01-2006, 04:43 PM

Yeah, what would happen if you didn't invite them to this, but then they didn' throw you a work shower? You'd feel a bit mean then I'm sure...

lyn · #6 05-02-2006, 02:07 PM

Please explain the gift etiquette of wedding receptions and bridal showers. Are gifts required for both. Are the gifts for the bridal shower primarily for the bride? I am the mother of the groom and I already have a wedding gift. I didn't know I was going to be invited to a bridal shower. I don't have a problem with providing another gift, I just want to do the proper thing. Thank you

Sharon Naylor · #7 05-02-2006, 09:26 PM

Hello Lyn:

Yes, gifts are the norm at both wedding receptions and at showers. Since you're the mother of the groom, I would expect that you'd be invited to the shower! As for the bridal shower gift, the answer to this question lies in the party's guest(s) of honor. Find out from the host, or see on the invitation, if this shower is given in the bride's honor (as has been custom for many years) or if it's going to be a co-ed shower (both men and women invited, as has been a growing trend.). Either way, the gifts will be used by both.

Reception gifts usually go by your family traditions...some families give a set amount of cash per guest, and others do wrapped presents. No need to match your style to 'the other side.' Just do what your family has always done. If you don't have much reception experience, gifts are given at the reception, with envelopes either handed to the bride and groom or deposited into a pretty birdcage or other container, and wrapped gifts are left on a gift table.

Anything else on this, just let me know!

Sharon