~* Ash *~
Lu and I had a lot of fun at our friends' wedding on Saturday. I'm not one to cry at weddings, but Mr. and Mrs. E were so happy and full of love that it was hard to not shed a few tears. The wedding had the usual rituals and traditions, pomp and circumstance, etc.; but more than that, these two people were overwhelmed with sheer joy to be spending the rest of their lives together.
I know that's how weddings are supposed to be, but that's not something you see much nowadays. Mr. and Mrs. E weren't getting married because they were the "right" age, at a good stage in their careers, or because they'd been together forever and might as well just do it.
These two got hitched because they're best friends... and it shows. All love, but especially Black love, is a beautiful thing.
With all of that being said, as promised, I took notes on some things that I wanted to remember for our upcoming nuptials:
With all of that being said, as promised, I took notes on some things that I wanted to remember for our upcoming nuptials:
1) Even if you're on time, your guests may not be. Guests were still coming in 15-20 minutes after the scheduled start time of the wedding. The wedding started half an hour late, so it worked out... but it could've gotten ugly.
2) Having a short receiving line will save you tons of time. If the "line" consists of just the bride, groom, and their parents, then the photographer can get a jumpstart with taking pictures of the bridal party.
2) Having a short receiving line will save you tons of time. If the "line" consists of just the bride, groom, and their parents, then the photographer can get a jumpstart with taking pictures of the bridal party.
3) Cocktail (or "mocktail") hour is so necessary. It really helps kill time between the ceremony and reception.
4) If you live in a different city than the wedding, you should tell guests to ship gifts. I know it's not proper etiquette, but ultimately your guests want to make you happy.
5) Place cards that include entree selections are great for a plated dinner. Besides the formality, they're actually really functional because it lets the servers know what everyone's having.
6) Chair covers really aren't necessary. Sure, they look great in an empty room. However, the photographer will be with you, not at the reception when everyone gets there. Besides, when everyone's seated, you'll be focused on everyone else at the table -- not the chairs they're sitting on.
7) Even with all of the planning and the laborious RSVP process, there will still be no shows. Stuff happens, and you can't sweat it.
8) Simple (a.k.a boring) dishes really are better. It's sounds cool to have fancy menu items, but fancy items tend to be "creative." Between food allergies and food preferences, it's safer to go with things that everyone knows.
9) Ringing bells for kissing is cute, but it can get annoying for the bride, groom, and other guests. The bride and groom have plenty of time to kiss -- and whatnot -- later that night, and for the rest of their lives.
10) Nothing gets the party started like a good old-fashioned soul train line!.... Enough said.
4) If you live in a different city than the wedding, you should tell guests to ship gifts. I know it's not proper etiquette, but ultimately your guests want to make you happy.
5) Place cards that include entree selections are great for a plated dinner. Besides the formality, they're actually really functional because it lets the servers know what everyone's having.
6) Chair covers really aren't necessary. Sure, they look great in an empty room. However, the photographer will be with you, not at the reception when everyone gets there. Besides, when everyone's seated, you'll be focused on everyone else at the table -- not the chairs they're sitting on.
7) Even with all of the planning and the laborious RSVP process, there will still be no shows. Stuff happens, and you can't sweat it.
8) Simple (a.k.a boring) dishes really are better. It's sounds cool to have fancy menu items, but fancy items tend to be "creative." Between food allergies and food preferences, it's safer to go with things that everyone knows.
9) Ringing bells for kissing is cute, but it can get annoying for the bride, groom, and other guests. The bride and groom have plenty of time to kiss -- and whatnot -- later that night, and for the rest of their lives.
10) Nothing gets the party started like a good old-fashioned soul train line!.... Enough said.
