What Does the Father of the Bride Do ?
The father of the bride has one job above all the others: show up as support, in whatever shape the bride needs that day. In practice that means a handful of signature moments (walking her down the aisle, the first toast, the father-daughter dance) wrapped around a lot of quiet logistics. I’ve planned 200+ weddings, […]
What Does a Best Man Do ?
The best man is the groom’s right hand. He safeguards the wedding rings, delivers the first toast, runs point on the bachelor party, keeps the groomsmen on schedule, and stays calm when something goes sideways. I’ve worked more than 200 weddings out of my Charleston base, and a sharp best man quietly heads off about […]
Who Pays for the Bachelorette Party ?
The group splits the cost. In US bachelorette tradition, the bride doesn’t pay for her own celebration. The maid of honor (MOH) and bridesmaids cover her share, and every other guest pays their own way for travel, lodging, food, and drinks. The one place that rule has shifted is the big destination weekend, where it’s […]
Who Hosts the Bridal Shower ?
The maid of honor and bridesmaids traditionally host the bridal shower, with the Maid of Honor (MOH) taking the lead on planning. That is not a rule set in stone, though. A close friend, a sister, an aunt, or the bride’s own mother can host too, and plenty do. Here is the breakdown I walk […]
How Much to Spend on an Engagement Ring ?
The average engagement ring runs about $4,600 as of The Knot’s 2025 Jewelry & Engagement Study, down from $5,200 the year before and falling every year since 2021. That number surprises people who walk into a store braced to drop a small fortune. I’ve sat with a lot of couples in the early planning weeks, […]
How to Measure Ring Size at Home: 4 Easy Ways
Ring sizing is one of those details nobody thinks about until it’s a problem. After more than 200 weddings, I’ve watched a perfect proposal stall because the ring spun loose on her finger, and I’ve seen a groom’s band stop dead at the second knuckle in the middle of the ceremony. None of that was […]
What Shoes to Wear With Your Wedding Dress: A Guide
The right wedding shoes come down to three things: your dress silhouette, the ground you will be standing on, and how long you can comfortably stay in them. Match those, and the style sorts itself out. Across more than 200 weddings I have planned around Charleston and the Lowcountry, I have watched a beautiful pair […]
What Color Should the Mother of the Bride Wear?
There’s no single “right” color for the mother of the bride (MOB), but after planning 200+ weddings, the shades I watch work almost every time are navy, burgundy, blush, and champagne. The real rule isn’t a color at all. Coordinate with the bride’s palette, steer clear of white and bright red, and clear your pick […]
Can You Wear White to a Wedding ?
As a guest, the honest answer is no, you should still skip white at most American weddings, because the color reads as the bride’s no matter how you style it. There are a few real exceptions, and after planning more than 200 weddings I can tell you which ones hold up and which ones earn […]
How Much to Tip Wedding Vendors ?
Most US couples set aside 5% to 10% of their total wedding budget for vendor tips — in practice, that usually means $500 to $1,500 in cash handed out over the course of the day. Tipping your wedding vendors is never required, but it’s customary for service that goes above and beyond, and a handful […]