Bridal Party

• All of my bridesmaids live in different states, is it rude to tell them where they can purchase their dresses, and them have them get fitted on their own time?
  No, that is not rude. Bridesmaids can come from all over the country and it is the only way to get everyone to buy their dresses and get fitted. Of course it is your job as the bride to give them as much detail as possible. You should provide the following information for your bridesmaids: Tell them each where the closest bridal shop that carries your style dress is located. Inform them of the exact style number of the dress and color. Let them know what length and tightness you would like the dress to fit, that way you can keep continuity throughout the bridesmaid's styles. Other than that, your bridesmaids should have no problem with getting their own dresses.
  
  
• Should there be the same amount of bridesmaids as groomsmen?
  Your wedding is your day, and you want all of your closest friends to be involved, so having an odd number of groomsmen and bridesmaids us fine. Instead of the traditional man and woman walking down the aisle, be creative with the wedding party procession. If you have more groomsmen than bridesmaids, have each bridesmaid walk with 2 groomsmen, or visa versa. Another way to fix the procession is to have the groomsmen all walk out by themselves, then have the bridesmaids walk out by themselves. When the ceremony is over, the bridal party can walk out in random pairs, the focus is on the new bride and groom anyways.
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• Do I have to pay for my bridesmaids' dresses?
  Paying for each of your bridesmaids' dresses can get very expensive and take you over budget. To make it clear that your bridesmaids will be paying for their dresses give them a list of things they will be responsible for when asking them if they would like to participate in your wedding. For example, you could include the cost of the wedding dress, air fare and hotel. Because your maid of honor will be paying for a lot of your wedding events, if its in your budget, it would be nice to pay for her dress. If not, I'm sure she'll understand.

• What is the appropriate number of people to have in my wedding party?
  Your wedding, your day. There is no specific number that you need to include in your wedding party. If you would only like to include 1 or 2 people, that is fine, if you would like a big wedding party, that is also OK. Take a look at your budget, a bigger wedding party will mean more money for gifts, food and transportation.
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• What is the difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor? Can you have both in a wedding party? Are they responsible for different things?
  The main difference between a maid of honor and a matron of honor is that a matron of honor is married. The maid of honor still remains the main bridesmaid who helps you out the most, plans the bachelorette party, holds the bouquet at the ceremony and all the other maid of honor duties. A matron of honors holds the same responsibilities as the other bridesmaids but is married so she gets the special titled.

• We don't know what to give our bridal party for gifts, what are some creative ideas?
  Being original in what you give your bridal party is a great idea. One idea is collecting different styles of wedding toppers, bride and groom together, precious moments, bells and so on, then wrap them in a nice package and give them those. Another good idea is homemade gifts. If you are going to have a specific flower at your wedding that can grow in a pot, plant the seeds in pots you decorated yourself and give those. Or, handmake a bag that matches the color of your wedding and stuff if full of things that have to do with the theme and the color of your wedding. If you can't think of anything unique, or you don't have time to make something, you can always get your bridal party a piece of jewlery that will match their dresses for the ceremony.
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• I have a friend that I haven't talked to in years but we were best friends growing up. I would like to have her in the wedding but our budget is low and it will throw off the wedding party numbers. What should I do?
  You do not HAVE to have anyone in your wedding that you do not want in your wedding. If you have a friend that you have not talked to in awhile, but would like to include them in the ceremony, have her be in charge of the guest book, or have her be responsible for different projects that you would normally give to your bridesmaid, for example making table cards. More than likely she won't expect to be a bridesmaid anyways, but will be thrilled if you ask her to be a part of the big day.

• Most of my bridal party will be coming in from out of town. Am I supposed to pay for their hotel rooms?
  Attendants usually pay for their own accommodations. You can help them out though by calling around to local hotels to see if you can get a discounted rate for reserving a block of rooms. Anything you can do to help ease costs for your attendants will be greatly appreciated!
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• My bridesmaids are of different shapes and sizes. What can I do to get a dress that will flatter all of their figures?
  Many brides are opting for choosing a certain designer and color and letting their bridesmaids choose their own dress and style. This way, each bridesmaid will be able to chose something that she feels comfortable in, that is flattering to her figure, and she'll be able to express her own unique style while fitting in with the rest of your wedding.

Etiquette

• I've heard that the bride's parents pay for everything and I've also heard that the groom's parents should pay for the rehearsal dinner. Who's parents should pay for what?
  Figuring out who is paying for what part of your wedding can be difficult and awkward. Traditionally the bride's parents pay for everything but the rehearsal dinner, and the groom's parents pay for the rehearsal dinner. But, if the groom's parents offer to pay for more, then let them. Or, if the bride's parents can't afford to pay for everything, sit down with them and figure out what they can pay for, then create a budget around that.

• Can I invite a guest to the shower who is not going to the wedding?
  A person who is not invited to the wedding should not be invited to the wedding shower. It is considered impolite and it may result in hurt feelings.

Planning

• Do I really need a full year to plan my wedding?
  While you can plan your wedding with less than a year to go, keep in mind that you might not be able to get everything you want for your wedding. Many ceremony and reception sites, photographers, and other wedding providers may be booked in advance on your wedding date. If you are flexible and willing to choose different providers and amenities then it's fine to plan your wedding with less time.

• How early should I send out my wedding invitations?
  Most couples will mail their wedding invitations six to eight weeks before the ceremony will take place. This allows your out of town guests time to make arrangements for traveling and getting time off of work. If your wedding falls on a holiday weekend, save-the-date cards should be sent six months to a year in advance of the wedding date to alert your guests about your wedding day on that special weekend.

Reception

• What are some of the traditions of a wedding reception?
  Wedding receptions should always be unique to the bride and groom. But of course there are several traditions that frequent most receptions. The wedding toast, where the bride's and/or groom's father gives a speech, the maid of honor and best man sometimes do a speech too, following with a click of champagne flutes. Bouquet tossing is also a popular tradition, where the bride throws her bouquet to a crowd of single women. And to follow, the garter tossing, but first the groom has to search for the garter up the bride's dress, take it off, and then fling into a group of single men. There is usually always a first dance as husband and wife, where the bride and groom choose a song that means something to their relationship and they start the dancing off with that song playing. While there are several traditions at wedding receptions, be creative and think of something unique to do, that just might become a tradition in weddings to come.

• We want to write our own vows but would like to say them at the reception rather than the wedding ceremony, when would be the appropriate time to recite them?
  The appropriate time to recite your vows at a reception would be either before the toast, or when the bride and groom are introduced into the reception. Just make sure your guests have had the opportunity to get seated.
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• Who traditionally makes the wedding toast at the reception?
  Traditionally, the father of the bride and the best man make the toast at the wedding reception. But, it is very common for the maid of honor to be included in the toast, it has even become popular for the father of the groom to make a toast. If you want to give everyone a chance to say something, set some time for an open microphone at the reception. This will give everyone who wants to speak a chance to.

• I want to add something original and creative to our reception, what are some ideas?
  There are so many creative things you can add to your reception to make it unique. Put a different center piece on each table. Make name cards unique to you and your fiance. Add a new tradition to the reception besides just cake cutting, bouquet and garter throwing. Change out of your wedding dress and wear something more comfortable and easier to dance in for the reception. Have a friend take a homemade video, having all of your guests saying something to the newly wed couple. There are so many things you can do at your reception, making your wedding stand out to all of your guests.

• Do I have to do a seating chart for my reception?
  Seating charts are usually for very formal occasions. Instead of creating a seating chart, consider assigning your guests to a certain table and letting them chose their own seats. It's best to put together people who know each other, such as family members, friends from school, co-workers, and people who you think would get along well together.