Wedding Guest Etiquette

It is wedding season, and you do not want to be "that" guest!

Here are some tips on what NOT to do as a guest to a wedding!  

* #1 Most important rule as a wedding guest... Don’t drink too much! You don't want make a fool of yourself, or do anything to embarrass the bride and groom. You are there to celebrate the bride and groom, it is not a party for you to get as drunk as possible.

* Don't dip your finger in either wedding cake, or let your children! They spent a lot of money on their cakes, and no one wants to eat a cake your dirty fingers have been in, and no one wants to see finger holes.

* Don't wear an ostentatious, loud, provocatively, or over the top dress as a guest. Make sure that you dress for the occasion, if it doesn't state it on the invitation, ask the couple. It is always better to overdressed than under dressed. 

* Don’t be late, that's rude. If you are running late, stand in the back until the ceremony begins, and after the bride has walked down the aisle.Walk quietly to the last seat in the back, and sit down. That is not the time to be searching for your friends, you can last thirty minutes without them. If the invitation says 5, be there at 4:30pm.

* Send a wedding gift before hand, bring it to a shower, or send it after. The bride and groom don't want to have to worry about finding someone to take it with them.

* If you can't make it to the wedding, send a gift still, or at least a card.

 

* Don’t bring a guest, unless your invitation allowed you to invite someone. If you plan on bringing a guest make sure you write that on the RSVP. If it's a last minute decision, call the bride or groom and get their approval.

 

* Pay attention to the invitation details, if they suggest not bringing children, or address it to the mother and father, not to "The Davis Family" that usually is a polite way of saying they don't allow children.

 

* Don't wear white or ivory

 

* If there are assigned tables, SIT AT THAT TABLE! The bride and groom took the time to plan out the seating for a reason, please respect their wishes. 

* Don't forget to RSVP to the bride and groom on time. There is a reason they do this, and a lot of money is spent on each guest. You don't want them spending extra money for no reason. (It can cost $70-100+ each guest for food and alcohol alone)

 

* If the wedding is a buffet style, get small plates of food, don't pile your food high.

 

* Don't talk or laugh during the ceremony. It can wait.

 

* Don't bring any drama, or start any drama and bring the vibe of the special day down. You don't want to be the one to bring down someone down on the happiest day of their life.

 

*  Don't show up for just the reception!

 

* Don't stand or have your phone out during the ceremony. Especially don't be taking pictures, that is why they hired a professional photographer. Save all your picture taking for the reception.

 

Essentials for Getting Ready on THE DAY OF your wedding

The morning of the wedding your mind will be racing, and you will be full of excitement and nerves. The more prepared you are, and the more duties that have been given out, the better. By taking these steps to prepare, your day will be a lot more relaxing, and run a lot smoother.

1. You will wake up excited, and so ready to begin your day. But relax, take a deep breath, take your time, and enjoy the entire day. Don't rush anything! It's not everyday you get married! However, prepare yourself to be getting up early, so don't stay up all night drinking. Go to bed early the night before the wedding, sleep is needed, you have a long day ahead of you! Have an organized plan ready for morning when you wake up. This will keep you from being stressed out right off the bat.

2. Do your normal work out routine. Don’t start one today if you haven’t been working out, though.  This isn’t the time for changes in your physical routine.

3. Eat small meals every few hours, and nothing heavy or fried, or anything with garlic in it.  You don’t want to over-eat, but it's important that you DO eat. The last thing you want is to feel bloated. With the adrenaline of the big day, many brides forget to eat. It will be a long day, and more than likely you won't eat at your wedding, until afterwards. The last thing you want to do is faint at the altar. 

4. If you are a coffee drinker, limit yourself to 1 or 2 cups. You'll get your caffeine fix from this but you won’t get extra jitters.

5. Have an emergency kit prepared, or make sure your wedding planner has one with her.  The number one emergency item that needs to be packed is a small sewing kit. You NEVER know if your zipper might give out, and you will have to be sewed into your dress for the worst case scenario.  Ask the bridesmaid to pack extra shoes, super glue (for heel breaks), handy-wipes, lip gloss, antacid, breath mints, extra make-up, hairspray, and water. Be sure someone (wedding planner)has a complete list of wedding vendors and their phone numbers are available on hand... just in case.

6. Get ready with your bridesmaids.  This can help you relax, but will also ensure that THEY make it to the wedding one time.

7. Bring something that will help you relax, and that you can enjoy to sit around and laugh.

8. Have plenty of tissues, and makeup on hand from a full day of tears and laughter.

9. Before you put the wedding dress on make sure you visit the ladies’ room. Especially if you have a lace up dress, or have to button a lot of buttons. It’s a much longer process after the dress is on and you don't want to risk getting your dress dirty before the wedding.

10. Have someone you trust take care of these issues so you don’t have to worry about them.  If you hired a wedding planner, then you won't have any worries they will take care of everything. If not, go ahead and arrange this role with someone.

11. Pack your bags for the honeymoon, confirm hotel reservations and airline reservations, having your license and documentation in order, and preparing payment/tip envelopes for your wedding vendors are tasks that can be completed in the days prior to your wedding.

12. Don't eat in your dress, simple as that. You don't want to risk getting anything or any stains on your dress. If you are drinking anything, drink something clear!

Head pieces

Bridal headpieces are making a comeback, bridal designers are taking looks from past eras and incorporating them into fresh new designs. If a hat or an elaborate large headpiece is a little too much for you, then opt for a smaller feather headpiece or a cage veil. There are more cage veils styles to choose from these days, especially at Houston Bridal Gallery. Some designers have come up with interesting ways to gather and create volume in veiling. If you’re not the traditional veil type; do not worry, we have plenty of options that might suit you! Here are a couple of smaller head pieces that we carry in our store.

 

 

Belaire 1028

Belaire 1027

Belaire 1026

Belaire 1025

Belaire 1024

Belaire 1023

Belaire 909

Belaire 904

Belaire 899

Belaire 896

Belaire 887

Belaire 884

Belaire 881

Belaire 878

 

Belaire 865

 Belaire 872

Belaire 870

 

Pronovias Fashion Show

Two of our Houston Bridal Gallery ladies, Vicki and Spencer, were in Barcelona this past weekend for the Pronovias 2014 Convention! They had the privilege to hand pick the dresses we will begin to carry in mid June! It was such a busy weekend the girls didn't have much time to relax, sleep, or even take any tours. But still had such a great experience, and met some great people.

 

 

Photos from the amazing fashion show https://www.facebook.com/Pronovias/app_240323492775906#!/media/set/?set=a.10151646897319747.1073741826.224264209746&type=1

 

Sagrada Familia Church- Started building in 1882.

Barcelona - May 5, 2013 — at Hesperia Presidente.

 

Here's the yummy dessert from their Welcome Dinner at the Palau Reial de Pedralbes!