SEMI Etiquette Tips ~ Invitation Don'ts

When getting ready to create your wedding invitations, remember this list of don'ts! You will not want to include any of this information on your wedding invitation.

The inclusion of "No Gifts", you can use the family grape vine to share this information with guests.

Bulletin board invitations - it is not a good idea to post an invitation on the bulletin board because it implies everyone is invited.

Dictating dress on the invitation, you can always add this to the reception invitation or response card.

Don't underestimate your time and how much additional time it takes to order your invitations.

Don't offend your guests by inviting them last minute.

Alcohol information is unnecessary to put on the invitation.

Information Courtesy of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition

SEMI Etiquette Tips ~ Choosing your Attendants

When you begin envisioning who will be in your bridal party, there are many things to consider. Here are some new rules for choosing your attendants and some helpful tips to make this process easier.

There is no required number of attendants. ~ You can have has many or as few as you would like. We recommend choosing the people that really mean a lot to you. Try asking yourself this question, if you looked at your life 5 years from now, would these individuals still play a significant role in your life?

It is not necessary to have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen/ushers. ~ It is better to have all of the people you really want to stand up for you at the alter than trying to make it even. You can easily have the groomsmen escort 2 bridesmaids in the recessional or bridesmaids can walk alone or in pairs.

You can have 2 maids of honor, a maid and a matron of honor, or 2 best men. ~ Sometimes you have 2 people that you really want to have stand up for you. You can easily just have them share duties!

Brides and grooms can have attendants of the opposite sex. ~ Honor Attendant, is the modern term for an attendant of the opposite sex. Many brides and grooms seek to pay tribute to their closest friends or brothers or sisters by including them in the bridal party in this unique way.

These are just a few of the new rules for wedding attendants. We think the decision really comes down to the people who play a significant role in your life. We know they would be honored to be a part of your wedding day! Which makes the day that much more special!

Credit: Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition

~SEMI Etiquette Tips~ "What Should Your Guests Wear to Your Wedding?"

With all of the details surrounding your wedding day, one of the questions that may be on your mind is, "how do you want your guests to dress for the occasion?" Well, the answer to this question depends on you. What are you trying to create for your day? Are you trying to create a casual informal atmosphere or do you imagine a more formal environment? There are three categories of wedding attire that should be considered for your guests. They are formal, semi-formal, and informal. See from the descriptions below, which accomplishes the vision you are trying to create.

Formal Wedding Attire - The bride and her attendants wear long gowns in formal fabrics, and the groom and his attendants wear cutaways or tailcoats. Women guests wear street-length dressy clothing for a daytime wedding and usually floor-length gowns or cocktail dresses for an evening wedding. Men guests wear dark suits and ties for a daytime wedding and tuxedos for an evening. An evening formal wedding that requires white tie is the most formal of all.

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire - The bride and her attendants wear long, ballerina or tea-length gowns, usually made of simpler fabrics than those for a formal wedding. The groom and his attendants wear gray or black strollers with striped trousers or a formal suit for a daytime semi-formal wedding, and a dinner jacket with black trousers or a formal suit for an evening wedding. Women guests wear street length tailored or semi-dressy dresses for a daytime wedding and cocktail dresses for an evening wedding. Men guests wear dark suits for both.

Informal Wedding Attire - The bride and her attendants wear simple white or pastel floor-length gowns or ballerina, tea length, or street length dresses. The groom and his attendants wear suits or sport jackets and slacks. Women guests wear what is appropriate to the location, usually street-length dresses. Men guests wear sport jackets and slacks.

Information courtesy of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette, Fifth Edition.