FAQ

I have a wedding budget that allows for about 150 guests, but my fiance and I have so many friends that our current list already exceeds 250! I keep looking at it and just can’t cut any names without feeling terrible. How can we trim our wedding guest list without the guilt?TOP

Rest assured that a bulging-at-the-seams guest list is a common wedding planning occurrence, and can be remedied somewhat painlessly. You are probably feeling so excited about sharing this joyous occasion with everyone you know that you just can’t bear to leave anyone off the list. But, truth be told, most of us can’t afford to invite everyone we know to our weddings, so start trimming! First, go over your list with your fiance and put each guest into category A or B. The As are the absolute must-invites, and likely include your family and closest friends. The B list is for all of those remaining. Now weed out your B list by asking yourself some questions: How close are you with this person? When was the last time you saw or spoke to this person? Would having him or her there on your wedding day really make or break your enjoyment? Based on your answers, you should be able to significantly reduce your overall list.

Other ways to consider cutting back: Leave off old high school or college friends whom you’re pretty sure you’ll never see again; second and third cousins whose names you can barely remember; and your parents’ extras (unless, of course, your parents are footing the bill). Make your wedding adults-only (skip anyone under 18); invite single people sans guests (and seat them together so they’ll mix and mingle); and don’t feel obligated to invite coworkers or business associates. Lastly, don’t feel pressured to invite people just because you were invited to their weddings. You may still feel bad about cutting people, but the reality is, it’s one of the surest ways to save lots of money and have the wedding of your dreams.

Neither my fiance nor I are interested in having a bachelor or a bachelorette party. Still, our friends want to do something for us. Would it be strange to have a joint bachelor/bachelorette party?TOP

Lots of couples have Jack and Jill showers, so why not a coed bash with your best buddies? Both bachelor and bachelorette parties have gotten much tamer over the years (strippers no longer required), but if neither of you is interested in having a “last night of freedom” simply having a fun party together is a great idea. If you don’t intend to get your groups together for a wild night of drinking and debauchery, you could instead opt for a dinner party, an afternoon picnic (perhaps with a game of softball), brunch… whatever strikes your fancy and seems like something the whole group would enjoy doing together. Just make sure everyone’s clear on the plan (and leaves the naughty-shaped shot glasses at home).

Your wedding day or weekend is one of the most important events in your life. By hiring Why Concepts Event Management, you will rest assured that your dream wedding will become a reality. Why Concepts Event Management can handle each and every aspect so you can enjoy the process. Full event planning and design services include:TOP

Things to Talk About at a Dinner PartyTOP

Being a terrific dinner party guest requires more than showing up on time, bringing a hostess gift and writing a thank you note the next day. Engaging the hosts and guests in interesting and lively conversation ranks high on the importance scale. If you tend to freeze up or draw a blank in social settings, do a little research before your next dinner party. Come prepared with a mental list of topics that are interesting, appropriate conversation starters.

Travel
Just about everyone is interested in far away, exotic locales. However, instead of boring your companions with blow-by-blow braggadocio of your own fabulous vacation, engage them by asking open-ended questions, such as if they have been on any trips lately, if they could hop on a plane tomorrow and go anywhere in the world, where they would go, or in their opinion, what is the prettiest state in America.

Entertainment
Books, music and movies offer nearly endless opportunities to engage others in conversation. From children to young adults to the elderly, just about everyone enjoys books, movies and music of some sort. You can ask guests to name the very first record, CD or song download they remember purchasing, if they have seen the latest Brad Pitt movie or who their favorite author is. Do remember that everyone has the right to their opinion. If someone happens to dislike your favorite author or actress, don’t take it personally.

Personal Connections
Personal connections are especially handy when you are seated next to a guest you have never met before. Although you may simply be attempting to get to know the person and make conversation, some people feel that being asked where they live, what they do for a living and whether or not they have a spouse or children is nosy and intrusive. Instead, focus on questions that don’t seem as though you are gathering intelligence on your new acquaintance. Some ideas are to ask how they are acquainted with the host and if they have had the pleasure of tasting the host’s delicious cooking before.

Just for Fun
Off-the-wall questions can start fun conversations that get all the guests talking, laughing and generally enjoying themselves. Questions such as if they could invite a famous, deceased person to this party, who would it be; if they could have one super power, which would they choose; or if there was such a thing as time travel, would they go back in time or ahead to the future.

Subjects to Avoid
Judith Martin, who writes the syndicated “Miss Manners” column, writes in her book “Miss Manners’ Guide to the Turn-of-the-Millennium” that discussing financial matters is generally considered in poor taste, whether the financial matters are yours or someone else’s. Other taboo topics are religion, sex and politics, according to Martin. Although these topics are fascinating to many, they can cause emotions to run high, resulting in major disagreements among guests and a ruined dinner party.

“Almost never” is the answer given by many etiquette experts. The only exception seems to be emailing a thank-you note for a job interview.TOP

It seems that even in this day of online communications, a proper thank-you note should be handwritten.

The most formal of thank-you notes is probably the wedding-gift thank you. These notes are traditionally handwritten on formal stationary cards. This personalized “thank you” is absolutely required of brides and grooms because it shows appreciation and sincerity. Emails (and phone calls, for that matter) will seem far too hasty, and they show none of the thought and care that goes into a handwritten note.

Holiday, birthday, and other gifts should also be acknowledged with a handwritten thank-you note. The Emily Post Institute suggests that email thanks are appropriate for a minor favor or a small gift, at most. Creative Director, Stephen Russell-Brett says that email is sufficient for very small presents given in a business situation, but gifts of any substance deserve a properly written thank-you note or letter. We admits that an email thank you is better than nothing, but emailed thanks will never make a gift-giver feel as valued as a handwritten note.

The one exception to this rule is during a job search. If a company emailed you about an interview, email is the most appropriate way to thank the interviewer. Because hiring decisions are sometimes made very quickly, an email thank-you note can be an excellent way to keep your name in front of the interviewer. However, if email has not already been your main form of contact with the company, it’s best to send a typed thank-you letter. Traditional, formal companies will appreciate the gesture. Many sources recommend mailing a paper thank you in addition to emailing a thank you, just to cover all your bases.