Pre-wedding Parties — The Knot Community

Bachelorette Party invite wording HELP! please :)

blueikaos — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:46:37 +0000

I am throwing my sister a Bachelorette party, and not quite sure how to word the invitations.

Do I put the cost of the club/limo etc on the invite or is that all done word of mouth?

Plan is to meet at my apartment, have some snacks, light drinks, then a limo shows up, surprises the bride and we go to a club. Back to the apartment later.

How can this be worded?

too early for a bachlorette?

quiggels219 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:15:55 +0000

One of my best friends lives in London and will be in Miami for a weekend early December to do a few things for her grad program, but will be free at night. I live in NY now, but my wedding and most BM are in Florida so I already know the party will be in Florida, my BMs just are waiting on me to pick which weekend is best (flight prices, slow work week so maybe I can leave early Friday, FI home to watch the dogs, etc). My friend really wants me to do it the weekend she is in town so she can be a part of it - but is that wayyyy too early? it will be about 4 months before my wedding - does it really matter? I feel like it is maybe too early - but I wont be able to afford to fly down and see her just for fun. Thanks!

Had my Bridal Shower Today

LandV — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 17:31:01 +0000

Hey Ladies,

I'm just on a little high from my shower this morning, so I wanted to say how fun it was!

Yes, the gifts are so nice, but there were many people there from my childhood and young adulthood that mean so much to me.

There were table "hosts" who each decorated tables in different styles, and they were so lovely. One was a farmers market theme with apples in little baskets as the centerpeice and mason jars as cups because the lady met me at the farmer's market. SO sweet. (I cried), and another used her grandmother's dishes who was married for 50 + years. It was just so special to have all the ladies in one room who I love and cherish.

Anyways, this post as no point, except to say that I had such a fun time! :)

Happy Planning to you all!

The Farmer's Market Place Setting

My CUTE pumpkin.

The lady who hosted this table made the little boxes! So impressive.

Paying for the Rehersal Dinner

Sweetblossom414 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:09:52 +0000

My fiance and I were trying to figure out the budget for everything, and we were talking about the rehersal dinner and who we are suppose to pay for (since we are paying for the dinner).
Anyone know? I know we pay for the bridal party and there "guest" but what about the rest.
For example, my sister whom is also my MOH, I know I would pay for her and her husband and their daughter is my flower girl but they have three other children, IF they were to attend the dinner do we pay for them as well??

Feeling sad about Bridal Shower attendance

GiGiSeattle — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:22:13 +0000

I am going to my bridal shower tomorrow and I should be looking foward to it, but instead, I am feeling sad that 70% of my friends declined the invitation. A few of them had a real excuse, but several (10+) just didn't want to drive to the friend's house where it is being held because it is 40 min-1 hour away.

The reason I am posting this here is because I don't feel like I can tell anyone I know about this. My sisters (my bridesmaids) are coming and I mentioned how I felt to one of them and she was like, don't worry about it, I will be there and we will have fun. Which is true. I just still feel sad.

So there it is. Guess I didn't need advice as much as I needed to say how I felt. It is interesting how this process is full of so much happiness and fun, but sadness too.

Bachelorette Party - at a dude ranch?

veggienat — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:20:46 +0000

So I joking was saying I wanted to go to a duderanch sometime after the premier of that show modern family...so now my MOH is looking into a bacherette party weekend at a dude ranch. Um, I was sort of thinking Vegas, but the ranch would be totally funny... Has anyone done this before? Is this a terrible idea? Plus I am getting married in January, so outside anywhere will probably be freezing...

Engagement Party

afrenchprincess1 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:08:08 +0000

Hello All,
I'm newly enegaged and FI and I want to have an engagement party! Very casual at my house with Hors d'oeuvresand wine. Some fun, talking, and eating with friends and family.We don't want gifts and we want everyone to just come and celebrate with us! We're looking at about 10-15 people at our house one evening. From what I have read about engagement partie it was traditionally hosted by the bride's father or parents. But according to wikepedia....I know, I know LOL! Modern couples are hosting their own. And my mom won't throw a thing like this and my father is dead. Plus, I don't want it to be like an party! Just sharing our love and enjoying time with us.
What do you guys think about that?

Heads up to Detroit Knotties!

pinkglitz18 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:07:50 +0000

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have had an AWFUL experience with Party Bus Detroit! (www.partybusdetroit.com). They lure you in with the cheaper prices, but their service is the WORST the owner is awful and unprofessional, and they over booked the party bus the night of the wedding, and I had to suffer! I just want everyone to know, before they book :) On another note, Perfection Limo (royal limo) in Brighton/Howell have been amazing picking up the pieces! :) their staff is friendly, and accomodating, and I have had a wonderful experience with them :)

Bride hosting own bridal shower

daggerbaby85 — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:37:11 +0000

I love planning parties for friends.. I want to plan my own shower for my friends and family where I live, but my mom said to wait and see if anyone throws me one.. Should I host my own or wait?

HELP!! Budgeting with Mother in Law for Rehearsal Dinner

johnsondonahue — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:52:44 +0000

I'm the matron of honor in my best friend's wedding so naturally she gets to vent with me about all her wedding woes. Being recently married I've been able to help alot up until this point...

She has picked out a beautiful private spot for her wedding weekend, but it is a little pricey. She has dreamed of having her wedding here all her life so her parents had expected and budgeted for it. This spot also has a club she's always wanted her formal rehearsal dinner at. However, it is also a little pricey. She was concerned that her future mother-in-law (a single mom) wouldn't be able to afford it. But after meeting with the planner the mother-in-law seemed thrilled with the pricing.

About a week ago her and her future MIL went out to lunch and the MIL had a folder full of other ideas besides her choice location and theme. Apparently the original place WAS a little out of her budget, but now she is planning to hold it at a place just short of a community center and is now asking her things like "do you really want/need a microphone for speeches? Do you really need a slideshow?"
It's completely tearing my bride up because it's completely opposite of what she really wants. She tried to offer to pay for the original location and help out in anyway, but the mom refuses her help. She can't even talk to her fiance about it because he defends his mom. His mom is trying but is having a hard time really understanding the bride.

What is the proper way to ensure everyone is happy and no one gets offended??!?! The wedding isn't for another 10 months, but locations go fast and she wants to nail down a place soon!

Month of the Year Theme

Chick&Guy — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:53:26 +0000

Hello!

I am going to a bridal shower where the theme is 'month of the year'. Everyone is assigned a month and they need to get the happy couple a gift that they can use in that month...I got February

Any ideas???

Bridal luncheon/Can I order in advance???

qianabb — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:19:46 +0000

Question: Im having a bridal brunch/luncheon to thank the participants in my wedding for their time and effort.... Instead of having it at my house, Im going to have it at a restaurant. My issue is this... To control the cost, Im having the restaurant serve everyone the same dish and I am using some gorgeous placemats that I had previously purchased for another event so that the table can look special and put together. My fiance thought that it was strange that I wasnt letting them order on their own. I stated that if I had it at home or someone elses home, they wouldnt have necessarily had a choice either. I didnt do it at home because I start to travel for work the next week, and I wont be really prepared to entertain at home until late december, so I wanted to get this going before the holidays while I could still focus on it. I like the restaurant, and I wanted everything to look perfect, but also didnt want to spend a small fortune on this.

Is this ok? I wont be offended if someone doesnt eat, but I dont want to be on the hook for $50 worth of food per person either..... Thoughts????

Shower/Bachlorette Party Guests

rhodewl — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:27:27 +0000

We are having a very small family only wedding and than a large casual reception later. I am not really sure I want a Bridal Shower or a Bachlorette Party. I have heard through the grapevine that both are being planned for me. If I was to have these parties, isnt it rude to invite people that are not invited to all wedding events? The Wedding and Reception? I feel like it says your good enough to come to my party and bring me a gift but not good enough to come to our wedding. Any thoughts? How do I express this to my bridal party? Thanks! :o)

Engagement Party Guest List a Wedding Guest List?

heatherfitz — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:48:28 +0000

I am recently engaged. I know some of my friends are throwing together an engagement party for FH and myself for sometime next month. I have no idea who is invited or who is coming.

I am planning on having a small New Orleans destination wedding. For the guest list, I am planning on inviting close family and friends. We are on a budget so they will have cover transportation (it's about a 10 our drive from where we live) and lodging. We will cover everything else.

My question is, do I have to invite everyone who shows up to this engagement party to my wedding? Since I have no say in the matter, that hardly seems fair. I only want a handful of people at my wedding in the first place. I've read that "etiquette" says I have to, but I mean come on. I think an engagement party should be about celebrating an engagement, not making dibs on a wedding invitation.

bridal shower favOr ideas

darnellsgirl — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:44:07 +0000

my sister is getting married in august and one of my girlfriends gave me a faB bridal shower favor idea. she suggested i purchase some thing(s) bath related and attach a tag that reads "from my shower to yours..." i LOVE it! but i am trying to figure out what bath thing could accompany this awesome tag:(

has anyone seen this done before? if so, what did the bridesmaids use as a favor? if you have not seen it done before, i still welcome any suggestions:)

thank you!

Engagement Party gifts

bso2012 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:27:51 +0000

My Dad is hosting a laid back BBQ engagement party for us and we didn't mention anything about gifts on the invitations. We certainly don't want anyone to get us anything for the engagement party- we just want people to come celebrate with us... we thought it was unnecessary to put 'no gifts please' on the invitation, but we have had a few RSVPs with inquiries about where we are registered or what we need or want. the party is this weekend- what is the best etiquette for letting people know that there is no need for gift giving at this event???

Unique Bachelorette Party!

MG888 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:11:56 +0000

I was wondering where everyone is going on their bachelorette parties/weekends?!?! I am from New Orleans, but we are looking for a unique location with fun things to do during the day and night. Willing to drive or fly, but nothing ridiculously expensive or too far. Trying to stay away from the usuals, like Vegas. Any suggestions or recommendations are much appreciated!

Thanks so much for the help!!!!

your reviews of painting/pottery/non-traditional showers?

verdesiempre14 — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:01:58 +0000

I would like to do something different for my shower and may ask for a 'canvas & cocktails' or ceramics/pottery shower.

Has anyone attended, or received one? If so, what were your thoughts in terms of creating a fun/warm atmosphere for guests?

This particular shower will be attended by friends from different social circles, some family friends, etc. Most people will know one or two others but no more than that.

handmade guestbooks...really cute

karyw — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:37:38 +0000

http://twinklinghearts.silkfair.com

Ceremony Reading Dilemma

mdooley13 — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:54:04 +0000

First a little background info: neither my FI nor I are very religious people. We are having my Uncle be our officiant for a civil ceremony (though it is in a chapel). Originally we were just going to have two secular reading in our ceremony but it has become apparent that having a "religious" reading of some sort would be very important to both of our families.

Inlies the dilemma...I cannot find a second reading that would be a happy medium. Not super, overly religious as that is not my FI and I but still has some sort of religious tone or source to make our families happy.

Any suggestions? What readings are you guys doing?

Bridal shower cake wording??

Jana711 — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:48:40 +0000

My bridal shower is next weekend and my mom (the host) has asked if I have any ideas about what should be written on the cake. I was thinking about somethng along the lines of "Congratulations, Me and FI", but I'm not sure if his name should be on there since he won't be at the shower. Any ideas??

bridal shower themes

chelle7620 — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:01:49 +0000

hey yall!! i was wanting a themed bridal shower nut not sure what theme. i want something fun and not tacky. any ideas?

Stock the bar shower/ Cocktail party

MsAwesome — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:03:07 +0000

This is pretty long, but I need some advice...(Disclaimer: written after many tears, glasses of wine and a xanax)I need to just vent for a second. So here I go. This is my second marriage and my FI's first. We are both in our late 20's early 30's, professionals and mostly have everything that we need house-wise. When we got engaged, I specifically informed my bridemaids that I did not want, under any circumstance, any types of showers, parties, etc. ...begging for gifts becaue I felt a little funny that we are older, well estblished in our professional, personal and financial lives and have everything that we need. A bachelorette party would be just fine. Just no showers, or anything along the lines. Well, alas, I find out they are planning a "stock the bar party" at a local fancy restaurant. They were very persistent in trying to get a guest list from me and I kept telling them that I was very appreciative but we were not interested. Finally, I caved when they convinced me that this was more for my FI, since he's never been married before. Ok. Fine. Fast forward to this week. The party is on Saturday. They planned this party at a local fancy restaurant. The theme of the shower or cocktail party as they are referring to it as is a "stock the bar party". It's 730 pm on a Saturday evening. They said they wanted to have the party there because the restaurant would basically do everything: set up, clean, provide food, booze, etc. Ok. fine, again. Well, today at lunch, while out with one of my bridesmaids, I was telling her that several people were asking me about the concept of the party and I had been telling them that it was basically a cocktail party with drinks and food....... to come and celebrate and support the bride and groom.... You can bring a gift if you'd like to stock our bar at home. Then she gave me the side eye and informed me that cocktails, wine, drinks or nothing of the likes wouldbe served. There would be apps instead and offer a cash bar, because offering booze was much too expensive for them to handle.I was pretty much stunned.I just about died. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the effort, but I NEVER wanted this party. Infact, I begged for no party. I don't understand why they chose such a fancy place, advertised it as a cocktail party which gives everyone the assumption that alcohol would be served and had the theme as "stock the bar" which in my opinion, implies that the party will have booze.

I feel blindsided, pissed off becaue they didn't listen to my one request, embarrassed at the thought that my guests wouldve shown up to this party expecting alcohol, considering the theme and would've had to pay for it themselves... TACKY...I have been the most easy going, laid back bride ever. I just feel that having my family and friends coming together to celebrate our love and our future wedding, I'd like to provide them with refreshments and something to eat--rather than charge them for their beverages.I did not demand anything from them. Infact, I haven't confronetd them about how hurt and sad I am, but my FI and I both agreed that it was very important to us that our guests did not have to pay for their own drinks, so we called the restaurant ourselves this evening and gave our credit card to have open bar services during the party.I understand that bridal parties are NOT obligated to throw any kinds of parties whatsoever, so I'm happy that they care about us enough to want to do this for us. I just feel like it was very unorganized and misleading. I cried all afternoon because this really wasn't in the budget but I would NEVER do such a thing to my guests--family and friends that are so important to me and made an effort to come to this event to support me. I understand that some people don't have the money to support an open bar party, but everyone pitching in to buy a couple of bottles of wine for the guests would've been a little too much to ask for, I suppose... it was so unorganized; they could've thrown a shower at a hall or someone's home without giving the guests expectations of a cocktail party and booze, especially on a Saturday night...... Ok i'm rambling now...Is this just crazy? Am I over re-acting? I was so blindsided by the whole thing. The gesture was very nice of them. I appreciate it, but if you can't afford to hst a party at a fancy restaurant, don't host it there; infact, next time, please follow the bride's ONE request, no parties period.

If you got this far, thank you. Sorry for the typo's and all. I've had a couple glasses of wine this evening and a few tears.I hope I don't come on sounding like a spoiled rotten snotty brat, because I'm really not. Im just sad that this event is actually taking place, is so unorganized and that FI and I are having to shell out 2000$ for something that we never wanted.thanks for listening.

Engagement Party Etiquette?

KHollyTX — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:07:40 +0000

So two of my bridesmaids have offered to throw my fiance' and I an engagement party. Is that normal or should it be thrown by a family member if it is thrown at all? Honestly, I haven't been to very many engagement parties and I just can't remember. My fiance' doesn't want to 'put anyone out' so to speak and would prefer a casual come and go type event at the neighborhood bar where we met for the first time after winking at each other on match. :) I love the sentimentality of that, but is that typical or appropriate?

Thanks for any help/advice! :)

KHollyTX

Bridal Shower Etiquette Question...

Flirt01 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:20:04 +0000

I have a friend who is not part of my wedding party, but she has insisted on throwing me a bridal shower. She is hosting it at her home, and providing dips and snacks for the guests. Should I reimburse her for some of the cost? Is there something I should do for her? My MOH has already planned another shower for me, but my friend insisted on this. What should I do for a thanks?

COUPLES SHOWER HOST GIFT... HELP

csylynn05 — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:08:45 +0000

A couple very close to us is throwing us a Wedding Couples Shower in a few weeks. Since they are footing the bill all themselves, we really want to get them a great gift as a thank you.

I have just one idea: They just got married at the beginning of the year and I thought it might be nice to get them a gift from their wedding registry they did not receive. The only thing is that I am not sure if they have already purchased it for themselves.

I NEED HELP WITH IDEAS!!!

Limit on Spending Money for the Bachelorette Party?

kristenpersing — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:36:22 +0000

My BMs are working on planning the Bachelorette Party for me, but have been suggesting High-End Restaurants... These are too expensive for everyone on my list; out of the 14, only 4-5 would actually be able to afford it. Do you think I'm being unreasonable in asking that we keep the majority of Entree Prices limited to $15?

Bachelorette Party Ideas??

kaydeekerr — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:18:29 +0000

My MOH is planning me a Bachelorette Party. She has asked me what I wanted to do, but she just wants to go out to bar. I am not much of a drinker and some of the BM will have just had babies or be pregnant. I am looking for something that will be fun and maybe prego friendly. Any ideas??

help! - need advice on what to get father of groom and girlfriend for rehersal dinner

whitma87 — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 03:00:46 +0000

Hi, our rehersal dinner is on Thursday, and we have no clue what to get them both. We normally get separate gifts for them, normally we get her a bottle of wine and him a nice pack of beer (he's the type of guy that likes the simple things in life). For rehersal dinner, we're spending about 30 dollars per couple. For example, we gave his mom and step dad a gift certificate to one of their favorite restuarants. I was thinking something similar for them.. but they don't go out to eat much, and if they do it's to applebees. I want to get them a somewhat nice gift for the both of them... please help! Would a nice frame with one of our engagement photos be a good idea?

Engagement Party Invites...I'm lost.

JayPlusKay — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:24:00 +0000

Okay, so apparently my MOH and one of my bridesmaids are planning an e-party for my fiance and I. I'm the first in our group to get engaged so none of us have any experience with this stuff whatsoever. My MOH asked me for a list of who I'd like there and I asked if there was a number I should stay around or under. She asked if seventy-five was doable. I said it should be. That's a hundred people less than I'm inviting to the wedding, so that's a stretch, but if they're being nice enough to throw us a party, I'm obviously not going to split hairs. Anywho, I asked if I should put children on the list. She consulted with the bridesmaid and said no. I mentioned that I have my two junior bridesmaids and that I'd feel sort of rude not inviting them. She said "Well, they'll be invited the shower, right? I feel like engagement parites are more adult." So I asked what age I should cut people off at and she said it was entirely up to me.

Well, I only have two family members under eighteen, one of whom is in the wedding, and the other has siblings who are over the age of eighteen so she would be the only one in her family not invited.

Now that I've written a mini-novel, my questions are these:
1- Is it rude to only invite less than half of the wedding guests to the engagement party? (Not that I would ever dream of forcing the issue, I guess I'm just curious)
2- Is it okay to invite kids to an engagement party? (My Jr Bridesmaids are 10 and 12 and my under-eighteen cousin is sixteen, if that matters)
3- Would it be extremely rude of me to ask the people who are throwing this party for me to include those three "children" as to avoid offending anyone in my family?

Yes, I know I'm overthinking this. It's just who I am.
Thanks in advance!