Bob Walker's Official New Orleans
Area Wedding Guide
General Wedding Information
ABOUT YOUR WEDDING GIFTS
Register your gifts as soon as possible after you become engaged.
You should register your gifts with only one store of a kind.
Let your mother, your fiance's mother, and your bridesmaids spread
the word
where
you are registered.
The name of the store at which you are registered can be listed on
your
shower
invitations.
Never put store registry information on your wedding invitations.
Quietly inform your mother or a close relative about some larger expensive
items
that
you would love to have.
Never allow the store at which you register your gfts to send out notices
informing
your
friends and those on your wedding guest list that you are registered there.
It is improper to open gifts at the reception.
Begin displaying your gifts two weeks before the wedding.
Do not display duplicate gifts.
Do not display checks; rather, display a card indicating that a check
was received,
and
from whom.
Gifts from your immediate family or the Groom's family should never
be returned
to
a store in exchange for something else, unless there are duplicate gifts.
If an engagement is broken or a wedding does not take place, all gifts,
especially
expensive
gifts, must be returned to the senders with a brief and tactful note
of
explanation.
ABOUT YOUR WEDDING RINGS
The most enduring symbols of your love for each other are your wedding
rings. To make a wise choice, begin shopping several weeks before the wedding
and stick with reputable dealers.
If yours is to be a double-ring ceremony (where the Bride and Groom each
receive a ring), you may want to choose a matched set. If the Bride already
received an engagement ring, her wedding band should complement it in style,
color, and finish.
Ask about engraving the inside with your names and the wedding date. A correct
fit is very important.
The notion of never taking off your rings may be romantic, but not practical.
Harsh household cleaners can pit and discolor the mountings. Working with
machinery while wearing rings is dangerous.
Clean your rings once a month by soaking in a solution of one part ammonia
and one part cold water. Have your jewel mounting checked yearly. Your rings
should be insured. Check your home-owner's / renter's policy to be sure.
THE CHILDREN IN YOUR WEDDING
THE RING BEARER - The cute little guy carrying the white satin cushion,
with the (usually simulated) wedding rings on the top, never fails to get
smiles and "oohs" from the guests. He can be related to either
the Bride or Groom.
Usually he ranges in age from 5-8 years old. He walks immediately in front
of the Bride and Groom going up the aisle, and behind them on the way out.
He must attend the rehearsal, but need not be invited to the bachelor party!
His parents pay for his cute little outfit that everyone thinks makes him
look so-o-o grown up.
The little ring bearer can be a cute addition to your ceremony, but make
sure he's a calm child and dependable, or he can quickly turn into an embarrassment
to you. Make sure he doesn't get tired or frighten easily, and he's not
the type who loves to demand attention.
THE FLOWER GIRL - And isn't she adorable, too! She's also in the 5-8
year range and can also be related to either the Bride or Groom. In years
past, she used to scatter rose petals from a basket, but now she mostly
carries a tiny nosegay, a basket of posies, or a flower-covered muff.
Like the ring bearer, she walks in front of the Bride and Groom going up
the aisle, and is many times paired off for the walk with the ring bearer.
She also immediately follows the Bride and Groom down the aisle after the
ceremony is completed.
Her parents pay for her cute little dress, and she must also attend the
rehearsal.
THE JUNIOR BRIDESMAIDS - Usually the younger sisters of the Bride and
Groom are invited to be Junior Bridesmaids. These young ladies are usually
8-16 years old. They wear dresses similar to those of the bridesmaids, but
simpler. They, too, should be invited to the bridesmaids' luncheon.
THE PAGES - If you come from a large family, and you still have some
youngsters in the 5-8 age group that you would like to include (or are EXPECTED
to include...you know how relatives are), you can invite one or two of them
to be pages. These can be either boys or girls. Their duty is to hold the
Bride's train while she walks up and down the aisle.
REMEMBER...the youngsters in your wedding are as much a part of the
wedding party as the older members. Be sure to give them a gift too!
CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING GOWN
One trip to the bridal shop will assure you of the incredible array
of wedding gowns - from the most elaborate to the very simple, in enough
styles to suit everyone's taste.
Times have changed and these days any Brides can wear white or off-white,
even if she has been married before. However, the very elaborate gown with
a train and a veil is usually reserved for the first-time Bride.
The bridesmaids' dresses ideally are similar in style to the Bride's, but,
of course, much simpler and in colors. Most bridesmaids prefer a dress that
they can wear again on other special occasions.
Start shopping for your dress 6-9 months before the wedding. If possible,
wear the undergarments, shoes, and hairstyle you will wear on your wedding
day. Keep in mind that at the ceremony your guests will see the back of
your dress even more than the front. Take time to choose a styling that
flatters your figure and your height. Your veil should coordinate with the
style of your gown.
Be sure the promised delivery date allows ample time for alterations and
find out which alterations are included in the price. Have everything in
writing before you make a deposit.
Trying on wedding dresses is fun. If you feel like Cinderella going to the
palace ball, that's appropriate. After all, there's a Prince Charming in
your life waiting to watch you walk down the aisle in your beautiful gown.
DON'T FORGET THESE ITEMS
WEDDING STATIONERY
Invitations
Announcements
Reception or Dinner Enclosure Cards
Respond Cards and Envelopes
At Home Cards
Informals
Thank-You Notes
Wedding Programs
ITEMS FOR THE CEREMONY
Ring Bearer Pillow
Flower Girl Basket
Garter
Bridal Bible
Lace Parasols and Fans
Wedding Candle
Bridal Purse
Bridal Hosiery
ATTENDANTS' GIFTS
Personalized Stationery
Leather Products
Personalized Jewelry
Specialty Gift Items
ITEMS FOR THE RECEPTION
Cocktail Napkins
Luncheon Napkins
Dinner Napkins
Coasters
Place Cards
Groom's Cake Bags or Boxes
Book Matches
Cake Tops
Cake Knife and Server
Punch Cups
Hot Cups
Candles
Tissue Bell Decorations
Tissue Bell Centerpieces
Paper Plates
Plastic Silverw1Q>
Table Covers
Toasting Glasses
Reception Aprons
9" HEIGHTmfYBLIGN="BOTTOM" NATURALSIZEFLAG=
"0"> Stir Sticks
OAG="0" ALIGN=
"BOTTOM"> Ribbons
BOOKS
Shower Book
Bridal Book Guest Book
"0"> Gift Book
Photo Book
OTHER WEDDING ITEMS
Planning Your Wedding File
Bridal Gown Cover
Wedding Invitation Tray
![]()
dot_blue.gif" WIDTH="9" HEIGHT="9" ALIGN="BOTTOM" NATURALSIZEFLAG=
"0"> Groom's Garter
Plume Pen
Shower Plan Book
Wedding Plan Book
DON'T FORGET THOSE THANK-YOU
NOTES
Begin writing and mailing thank-you notes promptly as your gifts arrive.
These should be written and addressed by hand.
Select thank-you notes that reflect your pyrsonality.
Send thank-you notes with your name or initials engraved on the front flap.
Never send ones with "THANK-YOU" preprinted on the front.
Thank-you notes can be brief, but should specifically mention the gift,
and how you and your spouse plan to use it.
Finish writing all thank-you notes no later than two or three weeks after
the wedding.
Everyone who sends a gift should receive a thank-you note.
If you receive one gift from a group of people, only one thank-you note
to the group is necessary.
And, yes, your spouse should help you write your thank-you notes. After
all, that way it only takes half as long to do.
DUTIES OF THE BEST MAN
Make arrangements for the bachelor's dinner.
Take charge of the ushers.
At
the rehearsal, make sure they know the proper seating arrangement.
Help the Groom prepare for the wedding.
Help the Groom pack and load for the honeymoon.
Take the Groom's going-away clothes to the reception.
Accompany the Groom to the wedding.
Bring the Bride's wedding ring.
Have the license and the clergyman's fee at the wedding.
Sign the marriage license.
Deliver fee to the clergyman or judge.
Offer the first toast at the reception.
Check reservations and tickets for the honeymoon.
After
the Groom changes clothes, make sure he has all tickets.
Help the Bride and Groom escape after the reception.
Take the Groom's tuxedo after the reception, and return it to the rental
store
the
next day.
DUTIES OF THE MAID OF HONOR
Help address invitations.
Plan the Bride's shower.
Help the Bride dress and finish packing.
Take the Bride's going-away outfit to the reception.
Bring emergency items (needle and thread, handkerchief, makeup, tape,
etc.)
to
the wedding and reception.
Hold the Groom's ring during the ceremony.
Hold the Bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
Help the Bride with her gown, veil, and train.
Sign the marriage license.
Offer a toast to the Bride and Groom at the reception.
Help the Bride change into her going-away outfit.
Take the Bride's wedding gown to the Bride's home after the reception,
or
the cleaners.
Mail the wedding announcements on the day of the wedding or the day
after.
MAKING YOUR WEDDING A HAPPY
OCCASION
Planning for your wedding should be a time of happiness and excitement,
but it can also become a time of anxiety and conflict if you are not careful.
Avoid trouble by following the Bride's Checklist included in this issue.
Stick to the timetable as much as possible to ensure getting the best services
and to avoid being pressured into last minute decisions.
Try to concentrate on one detail at a time. Include others in your decision-making
and other responsibilities. Ask for help and suggestions when you feel you
need it. You do not have to handle everything yourself.
Share your anxieties with others. Big conflicts can be avoided if the problems
are faced openly, honestly, and diplomatically when they are still small.
Be good to yourself. Take time to pamper yourself and relax. Needless worry
solves nothing. Get reassurances from other recent Brides. Despite the chaos
now, everything will fall into place and your wedding day will be wonderful!