Announcing your engagement

When you decide to marry, you and your fiancee should first inform both of your parents, preferably in person. If your families don't already know each other, they should be introduced as soon as possible. Generally the bride's parents are responsible for the announcement, either by sending a release to the local newspaper, at an engagement party, or both. An engagement party is an excellent way of telling relatives and friends before your engagement is printed in the local newspaper. Check with local and hometown newspapers about their requirements for engagement announcements. Your engagement should be announced within one year.

Invitations

The bride's family determines the number of guests. They should, however, consult the groom and his family before determining the number of guests. The groom and his family is entitled to invite one-half of the total. Less is permissible and usually the outcome.

Who is invited?

Usually it is only close friends and family. Business acquaintances are not invited unless the wedding is extremely large. If all friends are not invited, wedding announcements should be mailed within two days after the wedding.

Who should your wedding list include?

Those who receive invitations to the wedding. Those who receive wedding and reception invitations. Those who will receive wedding announcements after the wedding.

When to mail invitations

Wedding invitations are sent out approximately four weeks prior to the wedding. Informal wedding invitations should be short personal notes, telegrams, or telephone calls. If an engagement is broken, all gifts should be returned, unless they were of a perishable nature. Legally the engagement ring is yours, but tradition calls for you to return it.

Your wedding --- profssionals or not?

For either a formal or informal wedding, there is no substitute for a professional. It is very necessary that you have made certain decisions and arrangements before consulting with any professional firm. You need to know your budget, the style of your wedding (formal, semi-formal, informal), the date and time of your wedding, the location, number of guests, attendants and fabric swatches for color coordinating.

Formal weddings

Very Formal Evening -- Large ceremony after 6 p.m.

Very Formal Daytime -- Large ceremony noon to late afternoon.

Formal Evening -- After 6 p.m., smaller than Very Formal

Formal Daytime -- Usually in the morning or early afternoon.

Semi-Formal Evening- Small ceremony, often home or garden.

Semi-Formal Daytime -- Small ceremony, often home or garden.

Wedding expenses who pays what?

The bride's family is entirely responsible for the wedding ceremony. The groom's family may offer to share in the cost of the reception, and the bride's family may accept, especially if the groom's share of guests outnumber the bride's.

The bride and her family pay for:

The Reception

Flowers for the Church and Reception

Flowers for the Bridal Attendants

The Bride's Outfit and Trousseau

Bridal Photographs for the Wedding and Engagement

Music at the Church and Reception

Fees for Sexton, Organist and Choir

Groom's Wedding Ring

Limousine for the Bride and other necessary cars for transportation

Groom's Gift

Gifts for the Bridal Attendants

Invitations and Announcements

Bride's Personal Stationery

Any Related Equipment for Wedding and Reception

Lodging for out-of-town Bridesmaids