Bob Walker's Official New Orleans
Area Wedding Guide
General Wedding Information
PACKING FOR YOUR HONEYMOON
Think perma-press and Mix & Match.
Don't take more shoes than you absolutely need.
If you are travelling by car, make sure your luggage fits comfortably
in the trunk.
If you are travelling by a mode of transportation other than car (plane,
train, ship, etc.)
be
aware of the restrictions on the number, size, and weight of your suitcases.
Don't overpack.
Transfer liquids you need (toiletries, shampoo, cosmetics, etc.) into
plastic containers.
When packing clothing, consider the climate of your destination.
Leave room for souvenirs.
If you plan to honeymoon in a foreign country, make sure you have a
voltage converter
or
adapter for your hair dryer, curling iron, shaver, etc., in case they are
not on 110 or
220
voltage.
RECEIVING LINES
Long considered mandatory, receiving lines are now deleted by some Brides
and Grooms. This can be a mistake, however, because a receiving line is
actually the most efficient way to greet a large number of guests that you
might otherwise miss.
It is ESSENTIAL, though, that you have someone from the reception staff
or a designated guest end the line after a specified amount of time or when
you send word that you are tired.
The traditional receiving line has the Bride's mother and then the father
receive the guests first, followed by the Groom's mother and father. The
fathers are sometimes considered optional and may mingle with the other
guests instead.
The Bride comes next in line, followed by her Groom and the Maid of Honor.
The other bridesmaids may be included too.
Enjoy your guests. They have come to celebrate this wonderful day with you.
THE REHEARSAL DINNER
Traditionally hosted by the Groom's family, the rehearsal dinner is
a relaxed, intimate gathering which is held immediately after the rehearsal
of your wedding ceremony.
Guests usually include only the members of the wedding party, their spouses
and the couple's immediate family, though other special guests may be invited.
This gathering is important because it is often the first chance the two
families have to meet and get acquainted. This is also the occasion where
attendants' gifts are handed out.
Toasts by the Best Man and the Groom's father are customary, but toasts
by other members of the wedding party are also welcome, including one by
the Groom to his lovely Bride - and that's YOU!
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Weddings, by design, are happy occasions. But some situations can complicate
matters and bring on added anxiety.
If your parents or the Groom's are widowed or divorced and perhaps remarried,
there are rules of etiquette designed to handle more smoothly situations
such as wording the invitations and making the seating arrangements for
the ceremony and reception.
If you or your Groom has children by a previous marriage, you may want to
include them in the ceremony in some appropriate way such as ring bearer
or flower girl, provided, of course, they are willing.
Etiquette books or bridal consultants can assist you with the specifics
of your situation. But as a general rule: When making decisions, try to
consider the feelings of everyone involved, communicating openly and tactfully.
However, keep in mind (and perhaps diplomatically remind those involved)
that this is YOUR day and a conflict-free wedding is more enjoyable for
everyone.
STORING YOUR WEDDING GOWN
Have your gown dry cleaned as soon as possible after you wear it, so
stains won't
become
permanent.
Pack and pad your gown carefully with white tissue paper.
Line a dress box with tissue before placing the gown.
Once the dress is placed, cover the box and tape the cover shut.
It's
a good idea to place that box inside a larger box for storage.
Store your gown in a dark area that's cool and dry.
NEVER store your wedding gown on a hanger in a closet. It may stretch
and sag
under
its own weight.
NEVER leave metal buttons attached to the gown during storage.
Although
they are covered with fabric, they could rust and harm your dress.
Store
them separately.
NEVER cover your gown with plastic as moisture can build up and cause
mildew spots.
WEDDING TRADITIONS
BEST MAN AND MAID OF HONOR - In early times a tribesman from another
village might ride into your village with his closest friend (best man)
and take you away against your will, usually kicking and screaming. The
job of the best man would be to fight off your family while the Groom escaped
with you as his Bride-to-be. If you had known of the capture attempt beforehand,
you would have enlisted the help of your best friend (maid of honor) and
other friends to help you resist, usually unsuccessfully.
HONEYMOON - Your Groom would then take you into hiding for one month
(a full cycle of the moon) while your family cooled down and began to accept
the idea. During this time you and he would drink a wine made with honey
(honeymoon).
RINGS - The Egyptians began the custom of the wedding ring. They believed
its circular shape was the perfect symbol of unending love. Brides and Grooms
wear the ring on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed
that a vein (the vena amoris) in that finger ran directly to the heart.
SOMETHING OLD - The "old" represents the continuing link
with your family and the past.
SOMETHING NEW symbolizes your commitment to your new husband and your
future together.
SOMETHING BORROWED should come from a happily married friend so that
you will enjoy similar bliss.
SOMETHING BLUE comes from the tradition that blue represents love and
purity. The penny in your shoe is for good luck.
THE PENNY IN YOUR SHOE symbolizes a rich life.
VEIL - In some societies a veil was worn to keep the evil spirits away,
or at least protect you from the evil looks of jealous men! In cultures
where weddings were arranged by the parents, the Groom was not permitted
to see what you looked like until he lifted the veil at the ceremony. Of
course, you wouldn't know what he looked like either, until you were at
the altar. Then, like it or not, you were stuck with each other for life!
RICE - After the ceremony, rice is thrown because it was the symbol
of fertility and prosperity. At other points in history, the newlyweds were
showered with wheat, dates, raisins, or figs.
RECEPTION - In olden times your reception could last from a few hours
to a week (imagine the bill for a week-long reception!). During the reception
a toast would be raised because the clinking of the glasses sounds like
a church bell, and would scare away the devil. Then the wedding cake would
be broken over your head so the guests could scramble for the crumbs which
were believed to bring good luck. Then, as if that weren't enough, the guests
would snatch pieces of your wedding dress for luck. Eventually, Brides learned
it was wiser to appease the guests by throwing the garter and bouquet instead!
THRESHOLD - Some cultures thought that carrying the Bride over the
threshold would protect her from evil spirits lurking there. Others reasoned
that the Bride didn't want to be married to begin with, and had to be carried
in against her will, again kicking and screaming.
WHAT YOUR FLOWERS SAY
Aster - daintiness
Blue Violet - modesty
Daffodil - regard
Daisy - loyalty, innocence
Gardenia - joy
Heather - admiration
Ivy - fidelity
Lily-of-the-valley - sweetness
Orchid - many children
Pink Carnation - I'll never forget you
Pink Rose - perfect happiness
Red Rose - love
Stephanotis - purity
White Rose - worthiness
White Violet - let's take a chance
Yellow Rose - jealousy
WHO PAYS FOR WHAT
These are traditional and not etched in stone.
Actually, a 50-50 split is normal, because both families ARE involved equally!
THE BRIDE:
Wedding dress, veil, and accessories.
Her trousseau.
Groom's wedding ring.
Wedding gift for the Groom.
Presents for bridesmaids.
Personal stationery.
Physical examination.
Bridesmaids' luncheon.
Offers hotel accommodations for out-of-town attendants.
THE
BRIDE'S FAMILY:
Wedding invitations, announcements, and mailing costs.
Engagement photograph.
Wedding portrait.
Rental of church, synagogue, or other site of wedding, plus fees for organist,
soloist, sexton, aisle carpet, canopy, additional costs for decorating.
Flowers for the church and reception.
Bridesmaids bouquets.
Traffic control expenses.
Transportation for bridal party to wedding and reception.
Entire cost of reception.
Wedding gift for the Bride and Groom.
Their own travel expenses.
Their own hotel accommodations.
Their own wedding attire.
THE
BRIDESMAIDS:
Their travel expenses.
Their hotel accommodations.
Gifts for the Bride and Groom.
Their wedding attire.
THE
GROOM:
The Bride's engagement and wedding rings.
Wedding gift for the Bride.
The Bride's bouquet and going-away corsage.
Marriage license.
Boutonnieres for groomsmen and both fathers.
Corsages for the mothers and grandmothers of the Bride and Groom.
Gloves, ties, or ascots for the groomsmen, ushers, and both fathers.
Gifts for groomsmen, ushers, and best man.
Physical examination.
Offers hotel accommodations for out-of-town groomsmen.
Fee for clergyman, or judge.
His wedding attire.
Transportation from reception to honeymoon locale.
Honeymoon trip.
Thank-you flowers for the Bride's mother after the wedding.
THE
GROOM'S FAMILY:
Their own travel expenses.
Their own hotel accommodations.
Gift for the Bride and Groom.
Rehearsal dinner.
Their own wedding attire.
THE
GROOMSMEN & USHERS:
Their travel expenses.
Their hotel accommodations.
Gifts for the Bride and Groom.
Their wedding attire.