1.  Keep it short and sweet - 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

2.  Keep it clean.  Stay away from stories involving partying, getting it on, or embarrassing moments.  No dirty or crude jokes.

3.  Speak from your heart.  Tell an endearing story of the couple’s courtship.  Avoid long winded stories about childhood.

4.  The couple’s personality, family, and ceremony set the tone.  Keep in mind how conservative and/or religious the couple and their families are.  If the ceremony and reception is very formal, leave the jokes at home.  When writing your toast, keep these three items in the back of your mind.

5.  Relax.  It can be nerve racking to be the center of attention and make a meaningful speech in a room of virtual strangers.  Stand up, speak in a clear, even tone, avoid "um(s)" and using the word "like" repeatedly, hold the microphone at your chin, annunciate your words, and make eye contact with different guests across the room and the happy couple.

Good luck!

Here’s a simple outline of items that will make planning your rehearsal dinner easy-breezy.  The rehearsal dinner will set the tone for the wedding and it may be the first time that the wedding party can mix and mingle.  Wedding etiquette dictates that the groom’s family will host the rehearsal dinner.

• Choose a location with a private room with a relaxed atmosphere and style that compliments your wedding
• Choose a pre-selected menu & signature drink/cocktail to compliment your food choices
• Any person that is part of the rehearsal should be allowed to bring their significant other to the rehearsal dinner
• Allow at least 3 hours for your rehearsal dinner 
• Begin with introducing each guest
• Toast and thank the parents of the Bride & Groom
• Thank the wedding party and present them with gifts of appreciation and thanks
• Surprise your groom with a groom’s cake for dessert!

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

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.