Etiquette Q & A

My fiancé and I are planning to hold our wedding ceremony outside, in a meadow. We’ve also booked an indoor site in case of bad weather. What’s the best way to let guests know our alternate location?

Enclose a card with your invitation that gives all of the important details. It can be worded as follows:

In case of rain the wedding will be held at
The Jones Residence
25 Maple Street
two o’clock in the afternoon

Since I’m an only child, I asked five of my closest sorority sisters to be my bridesmaids. My mother, thinks my two cousins will be disappointed that they weren’t included. How can I make them part of the ceremony too?

You could have your cousins do a reading, oversee the guest book, light candles at the alter, or hand out programs (remember to make sure their names are listed, too). But you should realize that while each of these roles is important, they don’t have quite the status of a bridesmaid. Talk to your mother about her own feelings regarding the situation perhaps she feels slighted that you are favoring friends over family.

My father isn’t thrilled about my wedding. In fact, we are barely on speaking terms. Would it be weird if I had my fiancé's dad give me away?

There is nothing like a wedding to bring out the best in families! Seriously, walking with your fiancé's dad would definitely look strange, and it would no doubt further alienate your father. If you and he cannot resolve your differences, you might be better off walking down the aisle alone.

We’ve found a reception site that we absolutely love, but it’s half an hour away from the church. Is this too far to expect guests to travel?

In general 30 minutes is the unofficial cut-off time when it comes to distance between the ceremony and the reception any more than that and you may need to rethink your location. Keep in mind that some guests may consider even 30-minute distance too far and, although it’s bad form, might skip the ceremony altogether and just show up for the reception.