Another suggestion for Party Planners...

So I attended a beautiful wedding recently where it was quite obvious that great care had been taken to ensure that a consistent theme was present - it was truly a black and white affair from the dresses to the table linens and favours. It was a small wedding (nine tables in total for dinner), however 4 out of the 6 people at my table had their names misspelled (mine included)! When I say misspelled, I'm not talking easy-to-make mistakes, but really obvious ones (Who spells Robert with two "b's?"!!!) Should I mention that it was more embarrassing since the bride was family?!!!

It is so important to have your final guest list revised by at least two other people in order to make sure you've done your best to avoid this little faux-pas. I realize and value the importance of delegating tasks, but whomever you choose to write or print your place cards should have access to a final, mistake-free list. It takes no time at all to forward a copy to the mother of the bride and mother of the groom to ask them to check spellings for their sides of the party.

Little things like this go a long way to pulling off one beautifully elegant, and thoughtful event!

A true etiquette FAIL!

Please tell me that this is not becoming a trend out there for Baby Showers and Bridal Showers a-like? If this has happened to you, let me apologize on the behalf of tacky organizers - and if you have been the organizer and arranged for this to be done...shame on you and promise me you won't let it happen again!!!

Chatting with some girlfriends last week, I learned of a new "shower game" going around that almost made my drink shoot out my nose! Then, this game was further discussed in a Dear Abby article in Saturday's Ottawa Citizen.

So...what is it, you're asking...get to the point Renee!!! Well, did you know that invited guests everywhere are being handed blank envelopes at showers and being asked to write their own addresses on them in an attempt to help the guest of honour (mom-to-be or bride-to-be) fill out her Thank You cards more quickly after the event?! GASP! I KNOW! I mean, if you're going this far, why not also ask them to provide stamps from their purses OR hand them a blank Thank You card in which they can write what gifts they gave and how they should be used. All the guest of honour would have to do is write "Thank You" and her name. At least then you should be almost guaranteed to receive the card within a year of the event?!

I'm sorry for the harsh rant, but what ever happened to true gratitude? Taking the time to address an envelope and write a personal message tells the guest (presumably your friend or family) just how much they mean to you and what the gift means too. They have taken the time and hard-earned money to go out and search for this gift for you, I think that deserves a little more than a "Thank you for the gift" inside their own self-addressed envelope don't you?

There's my rant for a Monday morning! Sorry ladies...had to get that one out!!!

PS. If you are missing some guests home addresses, have a cute "Guest Book" by the door and ask them to update their addresses in there while also leaving the guest of honour some sweet messages. This will be a cherished keepsake that won't offend a soul!