The 10 Commandments 
of Elegant Wedding Planning
Commandment Seven

Commandment Seven
Don't forget: You're the hosts! Some budget-conscious brides and grooms opt for cash bars (guests pay for their own liquor) and dessert receptions (what you see is what you get--dessert) in an effort to keep the cost down.

The wedding reception is the first party that a bride and groom host as husband and wife. Responsible, gracious hosts make sure that their guests are their first priority. If you issued a formal invitation, inviting people to your home at six o'clock in the evening, would you serve them a plate of pastries and charge them for their drinks? Would you blame your guests if they left early to get a tuna salad platter? Or left because they were insulted? Wouldn't you be? A wedding is no different. If you issue an invitation to your wedding, you are asking your families and friends to be your guests; they are not paying participants. A wedding is a celebration that you're hosting. It's up to you to impart good food, good drink (and not necessarily alcohol), and lots of goodwill to your guests. 

I've seen many posts about dessert receptions on the Internet's wedding newsgroups. One bride said that her guests left early to go to Denny's: they were starving; she was heartbroken. Another said that she felt a dessert reception wasn't appropriate because her relatives and friends, who lived out of town, were making an expensive trip in her honor. She was right. (Not only are guests expected to pay for travel and lodging, they're also expected to bring a gift. And what about the shower gift they may have given? And/or the engagement gift?) A wedding, besides uniting two people in holy matrimony, is also a venue for the bride and groom to show their guests their appreciation for all they've done for them. 

Cash bars and dessert receptions are not the way to achieve elegance or to impress wedding guests with your hospitality and graciousness. If you budget wisely and plan well, there's no reason to have either. Be savvy, educate yourself, and take the time to properly structure and budget for that elegant wedding and reception of your dreams. With a little effort, you can do it affordably-and economically!

   < To Commandment 5 & 6           To Commandment 8 & 9>

This article contributed by 
DeborahMcCoy.com
from The Elegant Wedding and the Budget-Savvy Bride
(Penguin-Putnam)

  UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING INVITATIONS


from InvitesGalore.com

Join our FREE
online bridal community.
Get your own Bride Space on the web!
Post your wedding blog, pictures, and videos. Share with other brides in bridal forums and groups.

Sign up today. It's FREE!
FREE Wedding Website

Map cards from InvitesGalore.com Custom Wedding Invitations

© Copyright ADreamWedding.com, Inc. 1996 - 2009