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 […]
How to Preserve Wedding Bouquet ?
Your bouquet is the one piece of your wedding you hold in your hands all day. It walks down the aisle with you, it shows up in nearly every photo, and then, a few days later, it starts to wilt on the kitchen counter. I have watched more brides than I can count realize this […]
Do You Bring a Gift to an Engagement Party ?
If you just got an invite to celebrate a newly engaged couple, the first thing most of my guests text me is some version of the same question: do I actually need to show up with something? After more than 200 weddings and the run-up parties that come with them, my honest answer is simpler […]
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost ?
A marriage license costs about $50 to $60 on average in the US, with fees running anywhere from $20 in the cheapest states to $115 in the most expensive, depending on where you apply. From planning over 200 weddings on the East Coast, I’ve watched couples get blindsided by this one because the number changes […]
What Is Black Tie Attire for a Woman ?
Black-tie attire for a woman means formal evening wear — most often a floor-length gown, though a polished midi dress or a sharp tailored jumpsuit absolutely works for the right room. It’s the dress code I get the most panicked texts about, usually the week before the wedding. After 200-plus weddings on the east coast, […]
What to Wear to a Formal Wedding ?
Formal sits one notch below black tie on the wedding dress code scale, and it’s one of the most common codes you’ll see on a US invitation. For women, that means a floor-length gown or an elegant midi, tea-length, or ankle-length dress in a rich fabric. For men, a dark suit and tie covers it, […]
How Much Is a Wedding Cake?
The average wedding cake costs $540 in the U.S., according to The Knot Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 17,000 couples married in 2024. But that single number hides a wide spread: I have written cake quotes as low as $300 for an intimate dinner and watched couples sign off on $1,500 and up for […]