wediquette: seating situation

Periodically Xochitl (pronounced so-cheel), our resident wediquette expert and owner of Always a Bridesmaid Wedding Consulting, answers an etiquette question submitted* by one of our readers. So, (without further ado):

Q: What is the ediquette for seating divorced parents (with
the Dad having remarried) at the ceremony? My fiance's step-mother
is a big part of his life, so how can we properly honor both his
mom and step-mother - without just sticking his dad between them?
--Pamela

A: The key to recognizing her is to have her take part in your procession.
If you're having a Jewish ceremony, then your step mother should be escorted in by the best man just before your fiance enters with his mother and father or just prior to the bridal party. She should be seated in the second row on the groom's side, and his father would join her in that row once he was down the aisle.

If this is a Christian or non-denominational Christian style ceremony, then your father and his wife would walk down the aisle, followed by the groom's mother escorted by a groomsmen or usher (or I like to substitute this with an uncle or special relative if that's appropriate) followed by the Mother of the Bride escorted by the Bestman, (or usher, important relative or sibling of yours if you have one. Again, the Mother of the groom should sit in the first seat of the first row on the groom's side, with your mother opposite her. Your groom's dad and his wife would sit in the 2nd row in the first two seats.

Sometimes,if divorced parents are particularly coridal,we'll just have them all in the front row together, but that is a comfort level that only you and your fiance would know if it exists!

If you are still concerned about her feeling a bit of a second class citizen, you can also consider adding a reading, but be sure that none of the other mothers feel slighted.--Xochitl of Always a Bridesmaid

*If you've got a question for our expert, submit it by clicking "submit your question" in the right hand column, under "wediquette".

good cause, gorgeous stuff

Rebbecca at The White Aisle emailed me this morning about some wonderful products for a wonderful cause. You can read more about it on Rebecca's website, but in general, The White Aisle has developed a relationship with a day center in Phnom Penh that helps young women leave behind their lives as sex workers. The school teaches these girls the sewing skills they need to craft these gorgeous silk wedding accessories and pays them a fair wage so that they can leave the brothels for fresh start. 100% of the profits from the silk flowers, ring pillows and sashes go towards these women's salaries. Check out the gorgeous silk wedding accessories and maybe help someone else out in the process. It's a win win!

invitapaperstudio: thank you cards

thank you! very much. folded set of 6 cards

seriously. thank you! these sweet cards are hand printed both inside and out, with lovely matching envelopes, and can be purchased in multiples. lots of lovely choices! more at invitapaperstudio.etsy.com

ah yes. where was i?

hello friends -- am back! after many travels. hope all of you u.s. readers enjoyed your thanksgiving holidays -- i headed straight for my sister's, now that she is respectably married, and "helped" in the kitchen. by staying out of it, that is. she made pies from scratch. mmm.

and, since she's not a reader, i can tell you all i managed to scrape up enough to get the artisan stand mixer i wanted to get them for the wedding but couldn't swing at the time. hooray! wrapped for xmas and in her guest-bedroom even now. yuppie registries, unite! here's to many more delicious thanksgivings to come.

i could tell a number of heart-warming holiday tales -- interventions, 4 a.m. mall outings, etc. -- but will skip it and head for the goods, which is why you're here. right!

my sincerest thanks for everyone's well-wishes and patience while i took time off. here's my sister in her element:

dresden trims

I have lots to be thankful for, yet I am NOT thankful that my pants are ALREADY feeling squeezy, and I have an entire holiday season of delicious home-cooked fun ahead of me. It annoys me that I would even entertain the idea of avoiding my mom's white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies in favor of my slender jeans. I'm ashamed. *hangs head, changes subject*
Dresden trims are die-cut, embossed, three dimensional, paper embellishments that have been made for about a hundred years in Germany. Mounted on cardstock, these would look amazing as favor tags or hung from a wine glass as a placecard. I'm sure Martha could think of a million other things to use them for... I found these gorgeous examples at The Tinsel Trading Company, along with several other varieties in a range of sizes and shapes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm back home in Connecticut at my parent's house, hanging out with my sister, eating good stuff. I'm signing off for the weekend, but I'll be back in action on Monday morning. I hope everyone has a warm and cozy holiday with the ones you love.
Toasting glasses and pretty leafy trivets from Rockett St. George. Cheers!

beauty and the bargain

Seems to be a surplus of sweeeeet wedding dresses lately! I was so impressed with the pretty cuts and flattering sillouettes on these two over at Nordstrom's. What really floored me was the price tags. The first one (by Calvin Klein) for less than $200, and the second one (by JS Collection) is on sale for less than $300. Since when did anything labeled a wedding dress cost less than $300? And from Calvin Klein no less! If anyone gets a chance to try either on in person, let us know if they feel as nice as they look.