Wedding Etiquette

Good day, we hope you are enjoying this blog, now we just want to look at one aspect in the wedding planning process that is often overlooked but has caused havoc for many weddings before, during and after that is wedding etiquette.

Look, like we have said in the previous tips, your wedding day is your wedding day, you gat to be happy and have things your way on this special occasion BUT we realize that many people fail to remain gracious, kind and hospitable on this day for various reasons. This is even worse when there are other people involved in the footing of your expenses in which case you ought to accommodate their demands as much as is possible.

When you reach the point where you run the risk of offending your guests, wedding party, or loved ones - or operating amidst an air of self-centeredness - it is time to take an extremely close look at your decisions and actions. There are two wedding etiquette issues that we thought we would share with you today and that we think you might need to be aware of.

The Cash Bar

The cash bar is a cause for major concern to many guests especially when they are caught unawares. From an African approach, a wedding is fully celebrated with food and drink and suggesting that guests pay for their own drinks is really unacceptable. Even though it would possibly be a very good strategy to eliminate a huge chunk of cost off your budget we strongly suggest that you go for it only after serious consideration and taking into account the expectations of your social circles that will be guests at your wedding reception. A cash bar may also give your guests an impression of a cheap function in the sense that your budget is so tight you can’t afford drinks for the guests.

A good compromise would be to foot part of the bar by say buying two drinks per person and thereafter any additional costs must be borne by the one with the dry throat! Tickets for the two drinks could be sent in advance together with the invitation card with a note clearly stating the ruling arrangement once the two advanced tickets are exhausted. If after careful consideration you still decide to go for a full cash bar, well, please consider mentioning it in your invitation card so that guests are well aware in advance.


Adults Only

Another issue that often causes problems involves the exclusion of children during weddings both for the ceremony and the reception or wedding party. This is done for many reasons chief amongst them being reducing cost and doing away with potential crying, wailing, or hyperactivity associated with children.

If opened to deliberation, this issue may potentially result in fierce debate as some argue that it is rude and unbecoming to exclude the younger members of the family in these kind of celebrations. In general weddings are viewed as family events and eliminating the little ones is viewed as inappropriate. If you are considering an “Adult Only” wedding it is important that you realize that some may find this to be rude and outright offensive. Generally speaking, weddings if one looks back into history, have always involved children playing a symbolic role as a result some might be offended that you are dictating that they must leave their little ones at home.

After all has been said and done, this day is your day so you have a right to be happy and have it your way. After careful consideration and you decide that this is how its going to be, here are a few issues to consider. Remember that if you exclude some children you must exclude ALL children. There must not be different rules for different people or some individuals will be deeply offended and hurt - and rightly so. Avoid phrases such as NO KIDS, NO CHILDREN, etc as this might be too strong and crude and offend others. The only correct wording is Adult Reception or Adults Only Reception.

Well, as promised what follows is the feedback that we value so much that came to a number of readers of our tips. We have just selected a few.

To Your Special day!

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Hi

Your lessons are really helping us organize the wedding. We have movedit to December due to other plans to leave the country soon. We are nowgoing to have a small family function before we leave then come back forthe big thing.We are planning around a small function which is immediate.Thanks for the follow up.

Anesu

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Hi Charlene & Auther

Thank you for the advice for my wedding. It was marvellous everything went on well, I personally could not believe it but thanks to you it was perfect. Everyone invited enjoyed i wish i had invited you but will inivite you on our anniversary. I am just coming from my honey moon down South arrived yesterday night.Again i say thank you! God Bless you Keep on doing good to others!

Love

Gloria
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Hie

thank you so much Zimbridal Im not the one wedding I did this for mydaughter who is in Canada and she is planning to come to wed in Zimbabwesometime next year in April. Her sister wedded last year in August and sheis also in Canada. Her venue was Borrowdale Brook Country Manor which wasvery good. Now with this one I want something different just outside Harareand which other venues do you have besides Mbizi Game Park Lodges and where are they? Do you have other venues in other cities like in Bulawayo?

Faith