Invitation Wording For Blended Families?
Dear Diva,
We are struggling with the wording for our invitations. The wedding expenses are being shared between ourselves, my parents, my fiance’s dad and my fiance’s mother and step-dad. His mother is insisting that her husband be included. Is this the proper thing to do and if so how do we word the invitation to include both my fiance’s father and step-father?
C. Wiebe
Saskatoon, SK
With today’s blended families, this is a common question. Proper etiquette is that the individuals how are paying for the wedding are the hosts and are honored as such in the invitations. In situations where there is both a father and a step-father helping pay for the wedding, both should be included. The father and his spouse if applicable are listed first followed by the mother and her spouse.
The wording for this particular situation should look something like this:
Together with their parents
JANE SMITH
daughter of John & Jen Smith
and
BOB JONES
son of Jim Jones and Ben and Anne Samson
request the honor of your presence as they unite in marriage.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
Trash The Dress for Fearless Brides (With Video & Gallery)
“Trash the Dress”, “Vogue Bride”, “Fearless Bride”, “Rock the Frock” or “Don’t Box Me In”. No matter what you call it, the idea is the same: elegant clothing in an unexpected environment shot in a fashion or glamour style. The unexpected locations may include things like the beach, a pool, fields, abandoned buildings, a theme park, train tracks or other rustic locations where a wedding dress would not normally be seen. Originally started by Las Vegas wedding photographer John Michael Copper in 2001 and it was made popular by online sites dedicated to Trash the Dress photography.
There are many reasons why brides choose to have a Trash the Dress session done. Many fearless brides realize that they will never wear this dress again and look at this as an opportunity to take the dress out and have fun taking photos they could not take on the day of the wedding because they didn’t want to chance getting the dress dirty. Some brides see their Trash the Dress session as a declaration that they are 100% committed to their marriage and will never need the dress again. For others the motivation is the fantastic vogue style photography that they will cherish for many years even when the gown no longer fits.
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Of course, there are many brides who love the Trash the Dress photos but are not sure they want to ruin their gowns. The good news is that there are many great options for Trash the Dress sessions that will not actually destroy your wedding dress. Trash the Dress sessions can range anywhere from getting a bit of sand on the dress at the beach to shredding the dress with scissors. If you love the idea of a Trash the Dress session but are a little leary about actually destroying your dress, talk to your photographer. They will be able to suggest plenty of options that will give you amazing photographs and will result in your dress simply needing a quick trip to the dry cleaners.
While Trash the Dress sessions often feature brides, more and more couples are choosing to do Trash the Dress sessions together. A couple’s Trash the Dress session results in beautiful post-wedding photographs to complete your wedding album. There have also been some amazing Trash the Dress sessions done with couples celebrating a 1st, 5th or 10th anniversary who want to celebrate their years together with a special photo session.
Contact your photographer today to discuss your ideas for a special Trash the Dress session that will showcase your gown and your personality like no other photo session can.
Photography by Moments By Marian
Videography by Epic Videography
Image Gallery: Click on an image to enlarge.
$10,000 Wedding Package Winner Announced
Your Wedding… IMAGINE Magazine is pleased to announce the winner of our $10,000 Wedding Package Giveaway. Our winner, Kelly Smith, is a Winnipeg bride planning her wedding for December 31, 2009. Kelly won a wedding band set from People’s Jewelers which was award to her in a small ceremony on October 15, 2009.
Kelly also won a fantastic selection of prizes from our sponsors:
Congratulations Kelly and thank you to all the sponsors and brides who participated in this contest. New contests are in the works right now.
Brides, please join our newsletter list today to receive updates and information when new contests are launched.
Destination Wedding Rehearsal Guest List?
Dear Diva,
We are planning a destination wedding for Jamaica in 2010. We have 30 guests coming including family, wedding party members and friends. For the rehearsal dinner the night before do we invite only family and wedding party members or should we included everyone?
C. Dubois
Edmonton, Alberta
Normally a rehearsal dinner included family and wedding party members but often out-of-town guests are included. It’s a nice gesture towards the guests who have had to travel and are staying in hotels because of your wedding. The same would apply for destination weddings were all the guests are away from home.
Be Fabulous,
The Wedding Diva
Diva Diary Gallery
Your Wedding… IMAGINE Magazine was at the Most Incredible Bridal Show on October 25, 2009. Thank you to Amber of Beautiful Beginnings for assisting with the design and setting up of our booth for the event.
