“Will You Marry Me ?” Signs
Affiliate disclosure. Some links in this article are affiliate links — if you buy through them, OSW may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences which signs I recommend. As a wedding pro, I only point you toward pieces I’d happily set up for a real proposal. Read our […]
What Happens If Someone Objects at a Wedding ?
In nine years and more than 200 weddings, I have never once had a stranger leap up and try to stop a ceremony — and you almost certainly won’t either. If someone does object at a wedding today, the officiant pauses, the couple decides how to handle it, and unless there’s a real legal reason […]
What Is Formal Attire ?
Formal attire is a wedding and event dress code that sits one notch below black tie and one notch above cocktail — it calls for a floor-length or elegant ankle-length gown for women and a dark, well-tailored suit (a tuxedo is welcome but not required) for men. From planning over 200 weddings on the East […]
What Does Formal Mean ?
Formal means following an established custom, rule, or proper form, especially in a public or official setting. On its own, the word describes anything done by the book, from a formal apology to a formal contract. But if you typed it into a search bar, the odds are good you saw it on a wedding […]
What Is a Maid of Honor ?
A maid of honor is the bride’s right hand and the lead member of the bridesmaids, usually a sister or her closest friend. I’ve planned more than 200 weddings out of Charleston, and the maid of honor is the one bridal-party role couples ask me to define most often. Here’s exactly what the job involves, […]
What Is a Wedding Reception ?
A wedding reception is the party that follows the ceremony, where the newly married couple and their guests eat, drink, toast, and dance to celebrate the marriage. The ceremony is where you become married; the reception is where everyone celebrates it. I’ve planned more than 200 weddings on the East Coast, and the reception is […]
How Long Is a Wedding Ceremony ?
Most wedding ceremonies last about 20 to 30 minutes — and after planning more than 200 weddings up and down the East Coast, I can tell you the venues I work with almost always block 30 minutes for the whole thing, processional to recessional. That figure surprises a lot of my brides. They picture standing […]
What to Wear to a Rehearsal Dinner ?
I’ve planned more than 200 weddings across the East Coast, and the rehearsal dinner is where I see guests second-guess their outfit more than any other event of the weekend. It’s not the wedding, but it’s not a regular dinner either, and there’s almost never a clear dress code on the invitation. Here’s the cheat […]
What Is a Garter ?
A wedding garter is a band of fabric — usually lace, ribbon, or elastic — worn snugly around the bride’s upper thigh, under her dress. It once had a real job: holding up stockings. Today it’s purely decorative, worn as a keepsake, used for the lighthearted “garter toss” at the reception, and often doubling as […]
What to Wear to a Bridal Shower ?
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As a wedding pro, I only recommend pieces I’d put on a real bride or guest — and we may earn a small commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you. A bridal shower lands somewhere between a fancy brunch and the wedding […]