The Polite One's Insights

Follow these Tips to Avoid Insulting Guests As an etiquette specialist, I receive a myriad of wedding planning questions.  Most of these are about the bridal shower, as there are many misconceptions about this party.   Although still considered a gift-giving event by many, the main purpose of a bridal shower is to bring people together, thus generating excitement for the upcoming nuptials.  Due to the gift-giving aspect of the party, it is vitally important to host it correctly.  If not, it could appear a huge gift-grabbing event.   What follows are my never-to-break bridal shower rules.   Mothers do not host. Since most people still host bridal showers as gift-giving events, it is best mothers and close family members bow out of hosting duties.  It is simply common sense.  Naturally, mothers would try to garner the most gifts possible, as our judgment is impaired when it comes to our children....

Interview by Lynette Hingle, Demand Media for USA Today Guests Lodging Etiquette According to Rebecca Black, wedding etiquette expert at Etiquette Now, “The bride and groom (or the bride’s parents) are only required to pay for the wedding party’s lodging. All other invitees will be expected to pay for the cruise themselves. Therefore, it is wise to contact all your invited guests with the dates and available cruise package options as soon as your wedding plans are finalized.  Ms. Black advises that there are no etiquette rules concerning verbal invitations, and it is permissible to seek verbal commitments from prospective attendees. You may also want to send save-the-date cards with written travel arrangement itineraries but be aware that proper etiquette insists that an invitation be sent to everyone who has received a save-the-date card.  You may also want to put the word out to your wedding guests that they should mail gifts to your home before or after the w...

I was asked to give my opinion quite often during the week leading up to the royal wedding.   It was a wonderful experience for me, as I had to do quite a bit of research.   I had forgotten so much due to the fact that I don’t use this information/material on a daily basis.   What I found intrigued me.   What follows is just a small sample of the history and protocol of the royals and their weddings/wedding breakfast.   Royals Set Trends & Make History For one, royals tend to begin traditions, such as the white dress for brides.   Queen Victoria wore white for her wedding with Prince Albert (in 1840).     She also chose to include a sprig of myrtle in her bouquet because it represented true love.   After her wedding, she planted a bush in her yard.   A sprig of that same bush has been added to each British royal bride's bouquet since. Laying the bride's bouquet on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a tradition that...

  Rebecca Black’s interview on location with the anchors of CW 31 KOVR Even though this interview and event was years ago, I still feel the thrill of narrating the etiquette involved as it played out.   Here are my fast and furious tidbits of tips.   If Invited to the Wedding Breakfast... Remember your table manners . Choose the outermost utensil and watch others if not sure of your utensil usage. When drinking tea, pick up your teacup, not the saucer. Hold the stem with index finger and thumb. If Invited to the Reception… Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Remember to use basic manners and courtesy. Dress to blend in and not to turn heads. Don't wear red or anything brightly colored. Do not drink to excess. Hold wine glasses by the stem. Don't slurp. If Invited to Any Portion of the Event... Don't do anything to bring attention to yourself. Turn off cellphones and no texting. Leave cameras at home. If Meeting the Queen... Curtsey ...

  Flash from the past!   I was invited, along with a history professor, to offer my professional opinion of the Royal Wedding with the KCRA morning news crew.   With the time difference between England and California, we began at 3 am.   Whew!   Nevertheless, it was a hoot!   Here are just a few of the videos. Please Read Just the Facts: Royal Wedding Reception Etiquette Etiquette for Cruise Ship Destination Weddings From an Etiquette Point of View: Royal Wedding/Reception Primer

  Source: IMDB.com Unwind & Forget Stress With These Wedding Films Ah, the weather is finally warming, bringing butterflies, flowers, and … wedding questions.  Yep, once the weather warms those  wedding  questions fly in like cupid’s arrows.  Although it gets a bit crazy around this etiquette consultant’s office this time of year, it is much worse for the bridal party.  Never fear though, this stretch of treacherous road is awfully familiar.  I know of the very thing for stress relief.  Movie night!  What follows are my favorite wedding movies, perfect for de-stressing.  So, pop some corn, pop a cork, and pop in a movie for a popping great time!  Oh, and did I tell you that there is a quiz involved?  (These stress reducers work well for all occasions) The Wedding Singer  (1998 ) By far, my favorite wedding movie!  Dare I say, “Classic?”  Perhaps not.  Nevertheless, it iconically reflects the mood, musi...

Who, How, Where, and When of Wedding Planning  Two people fall in love, wed, and live happily ever after.  Sounds ideal.  However, in the real world planning the wedding to involve both sides of the family, including the "steps" and "exes" can be difficult, if not impossible.  Excluding some might be hurtful, especially when children are involved.  As an etiquette professional, I answer wedding etiquette and planning questions like these every day.  Here are the top five most asked wedding questions answered.    Who is seated where and when? Steps, exes, and mothers oh my!  Encore weddings are increasingly more common.  This leads to even more exes and stepfamily on our guest list.  Add this into the planning blender and sometimes we get a toxic mix.  To avoid a mess, it's best to know where and when to seat "honored guests" like our parents.  If parents are on friendly terms, all may sit in front row.  However...