wedding etiquette q & a: answers to your most common wedding dilemmas..

14th May, 2011 - Posted by Lia - No Comments

Q. We do not want to have to invite kids to our ceremony or reception. Trying to keep costs down, would prefer a more low-key and adult reception. How do we tactfully make this clear?  

A.  There are plenty of ways to make this request as classy as possible. Address your invites to the adults in the family only. On the invite, you can put a tiny note saying “ Adults Only”. If your budget allows, you can always offer childcare as well. If anyone approaches you on this just smile and let them know that this style or ceremony and reception works for you both! 

Q. We are putting a “ Plus One” on each of the invites; how can we avoid certain friends bringing people that are not their significant others and instead bringing a friend we don’t know?

A. If it is that important to you that they don’t just bring a friend of theirs as their +1 then I would specify on the invite who the +1 is. Regardless if it is a significant other best friend, or partner. If there are some guests whom you are comfortable with whoever they bring then feel free to just leave it as a “ +1”. Highly unlikely your guests will compare envelope addressees’’  to see what and who you wrote on there. 

Q. I love our family, but my parents and I really do not want our out of town guests to stay at our house the day before and after the wedding; it’s way too hectic! How can we politely make this clear?

A. There is nothing wrong with asking for a little privacy or space the day before or after your wedding. Include a list of different places to stay, and list them by price so your guests know what they are working with. Include motels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. If you are in the financial position to do so, then feel free to pick up the tab on half or all of their overnight stay as an extra gesture.