Weddings are tricky & fabulous at the same time.  For some strange reason, weddings cause people to go crazy, get stressed out, and accidentily offend their friends and family.  Here is some wedding invitation etiquette that will keep you out of hot water.

DOs

• Call guests to verify their attendance if they have not responded by the RSVP date
• Make sure the names of your guests are spelled correctly
• Send children of relatives that are 18 years and older their own invitation
• Invite the partners of guests who are married, engaged, living together, or involved in a long term relationship
• Send an invitation to your officiant and their significant other
• Send your parents and wedding party invitations as keepsakes
• Put return postage on reply cards

If you don’t want children at your wedding DO: 

• Omit the children’s name from the invitation
• Have friends & family pass the word that you do not want children at the wedding
• Add one of the phases to the reply card:  "Adult reception" or "# of seats have been reserved in your name"

DON’Ts

• Include "cash only gifts" wording.  It is considered rude to request cash for a wedding gift
• Include your registry information.  This information can be communicated through friends and family or your wedding website.  Registry information can be included with the bridal shower invitaiton.
• Send invitations to guests that you assume will not be able to attend.  Only send invitations to the number of guests that your budget can accomodate.
• Forget to proofread your invitations.  Have a friend or relative read it over as a second pair of eyes.
• Include reply cards for the ceremony only.  This is only appropriate if their will be NO reception

Music is everything at any event.  Music will set the mood and attitude of your wedding.  At your wedding:

• The song playing as you walk down the aisle will frame the moment where you begin a new chapter in your life
• The songs during your ceremony makes your guests excited to share in special day
• The song played during your first dance tells your love story

With all the different types technology - MP3s, IPODs, DJ software, Itunes, etc., there is bound to be a few flubs due to human error or compatibility issues. 

Make sure you have all the special songs for your ceremony and wedding burned on a CD just in case your DJ is having technical difficulties.  Give the back up CD to your wedding planner, maid of honor/best man, or a good friend for safe keeping in case a technical difficulty arises.

If you’re using the church’s sound system, do a trial run with their staff at the rehearsal.  No one wants to walk down the aisle in silence, to the wrong song, or from the tiny speaker of a portable CD player or IPOD.

As Rihanna says, "Please don’t stop the music!"

Remember Cinderella and how mean her stepsisters were to her?  That’s how the world treats carnations.  Most people think carnations are ugly, cheap, and worthless.

I used to think the same thing, but carnations can be very pretty and suprising when dressed up properly - just like Cinderella at the ball.

Carnations are wonderful option for brides who want fresh flowers, but don’t want to blow their budget.  Check out this DIY Martha Stewart Black Tie Carnation Bouquet.

Ribbon Flower How-To
For each flower, cut a 9 1/4-inch length of 1-inch-wide satin ribbon.

1. Measure 1/2 inch from one end; mark lightly in pencil. From there, mark 1 1/2-inch intervals five times (for five petals).

2. With matching thread, hand-stitch semicircles from mark to mark.

3. Pull thread to gather; knot.

4. Sew ribbon ends together, right sides facing, to make flower; snip off extra ribbon. For stem, stitch flower to looped and twisted end of white floral wire.

I love winter weddings!  It combines my two favorite things - the holiday season and weddings.

Although some may feel that a holiday wedding is inconvenient, it has many positive attributes.

First, all of your family is usually in town to celebrate the holiday - why "knot" kill two birds with one stone and celebrate a wedding.

Second, every wedding venue is already decorated with beautiful holiday decor that will perfectly accent your winter wedding.  This can save you extra money in your budget.

Third, in this tough and tight economy, corporations are cancelling their holiday parties.  Vendors will be more than willing to offer freebies, discounts, and include additional services at no additional cost.