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Q: My cousin now
lives in California and is getting married this summer. She has chosen me
to be her maid of honor. I want to give her a shower, but her work
schedule prevents her from coming to town before the wedding. We have
other friends and family, unable to make it to the wedding, who would also
love to honor the bride and groom in some way. Is there anything wrong
with throwing a shower for the bride and groom, even if they aren’t here?
A: That’s a great idea! This
type of shower, given for a bride who cannot attend or lives far away, is
called a proxy shower! It is a perfectly acceptable way of celebrating.
The hostess is responsible for getting the gifts to the bride. Often times
she will have the guests bring their gifts unwrapped, so that everyone can
see them. She then provides wrapping paper and ribbons for the guests to
wrap their gifts. Then, she can pack them in large cartons and ship them
off to the bride. A long distance telephone call to the bride is common
also, so she can briefly join in the fun! Once the bride-to-be has
received the gifts, thank you notes should be sent right away. Best Regards,
Andi
Q: I know rice
throwing is a long time tradition at weddings when the couple is leaving
the reception, but our reception hall won’t allow it. What else can we do?
A: There are several
alternatives from which to choose. Blowing bubbles on the couple as they
dash away is quite common. Tossing rose petals has also become a fragrant
and colorful alternative. The latest trend is a butterfly release. I
haven’t been witness to one yet, but I can imagine how impressive it would
be! All the beautiful colors of all those butterflies! Good weather is
essential for this to happen, and there is some preparation required.
However, for a real eye catching experience for your guests, this might be
something to consider.
Best Regards,
Andi
Q: My daughter will
be married in Indiana, Pennsylvania next year. There seems to be a local
custom about bringing cookies to the reception. We have never heard of
this; do you know anything about it?
A: In this area of
Pennsylvania, it is an ethnic tradition to have wedding cookies, as well
as wedding cake at the reception! The cookies are the “ambassadors of
hospitality”! They are served to the honored guests upon their arrival at
the reception as they await the arrival of the bride and groom. They can
also be given as wedding favors. Often time’s small bags are provided for
the guests to take them home. The bride and groom choose the type of
cookie (or cookies) to be served. They can choose one kind or a variety.
They might choose an old family recipe, or maybe they would like the
cookies to reflect the color scheme of their wedding!
When ordering the wedding cake, discuss the possibility of having the
wedding cookies made by the same bakery. This would be one less item on
the to-do list! Pittsburghwedding.com has several bakers listed which
offer wedding cake and cookie packages for your convenience!
Best Regards,
Andi
Q: I am the mother
of the bride. In planning for the bridal shower, who are the customary
people to invite? I know that everyone invited to the shower should be
invited to the wedding. If there are some folks on a limited budget that
we'd like to invite to the shower, should we just invite them to the
wedding instead so they don't have to pay for two gifts? The groom's
mother will have a shower separately in the town they live in, since they
live a few hours away. A:
A shower is a lighthearted event shared by the guest of honor, and only
her closest of friends! The shower should be given by her friends, never
by the bride, or her family! The gifts at a bridal shower are supposed to
be small, so as not to put any financial strain on friends! I believe that
inviting your friends on a limited budget to both the shower and wedding
would be fine. This would guard against any hurt feelings, as well. The
shower can have a theme to it as well! Themes can range from a linen,
lingerie, or stocking shower, to a book, garden, or even a canned good
shower! It is all a matter of imagination! Have a wonderful time!
Best Regards.
Andi
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