RSVP To A Wedding Invitation

I've written before about responding to wedding and general party invitations and am seeing the reality of wedding non-responses first-hand as Mother of the Bride. To date we are missing 19 rsvps. Depending on the venue, that can translate to more than 2 tables of guests! Having to call is awkward for both the caller and guest, but necessary to verify attendance. The small card can be lost in the shuffle with the rest of the mail, it can be overlookeed as just another item on a busy checklist of obligations. It's usually better to respond quickly when receiving the invitation than to let it wait and risk losing it. I know there are other MOBs or MOGs who have similar experiences, care to comment?

Easter Egg Hunt Party

An Easter Egg Hunt Party for your family and friends can be simple and fun. Purchase helium balloons in pastel colors for decorations. Keep it simple, you can use colored hard-boiled eggs or the plastic eggs filled with prizes. So there are no tears with the little ones who can't find the eggs as fast as the older children, color code the eggs in your hunt. For those under 4, they could hunt for the yellow and blue eggs, 4 - 6 can be on the hunt for green and orange eggs, etc. Put jelly beans or pennies or nickles in the eggs (quarters or folded dollar bills for the older children.) Have several "grand prizes" such as chocolate bunnies, or stuffed ones. The older children can go on to have an "egg and spoon race." Use hard-boiled eggs and spoons, make it a relay with teams. For a more elaborate gathering, have an Easter Brunch after the egg hunt. Happy Easter!

March Madness Party

It's time for the annual NCAA March Madness. Why not throw a March Madness Party? Similar to a Superbowl Party as you will be watching the games, but it can be held on several different dates all to culminate with the "Final Four." Decorate with basketball balloons or your favorite teams colors. Keep the fare simple, a meat and cheese platter, chips and dips, beer and soft drinks. Brownies, chocolate chip cookies or basketball cupckaes for dessert. A "slam -dunk party" to bring your friends to the Final Four!

Shopping for The Bridal Gown

Soon after my daughter became engaged, we set out one Saturday to shop for her bridal gown. She had gone with friends to Boston to see what was available there, and two weeks later she and I set out for several places in the Hudson Valley. I am happy to report that here, not Boston, is where she found her dress. We went to four places, in three she found a dress that was a possibility, but in the last salon I knew she had found something special when the tears appeared after trying on her first dress there. The owner of the salon brougnt her several other dresses, all equally lovely. She put the first one one again, more tears. That was the dress! I heard the popping of champagene being poured for us and out came my checkbook. Interviewing brides for wedding coordination usually tells us that the first thing brides-to-be shop for is the dress, long before finding the church or reception venue. How many of you have stories on finding THE dress?

St. Patrick's Day Party

St. Patrick's Day is coming, that means that Spring cannot be too far behind! You don't have to be Irish to celebrate with a St. Patrick's Day Party!
Have a green tablecloth? If not, use a white one and add greenery and maybe some shamrock confetti. You can purchase green sequin hats, St. Paddy bolwer hats and green beads for your guests to add to their "wearing of the green." For traditional fare serve an appetizer of smoked salmon with a dill sauce and then onto to the traditional corned beef and cabbage, colcannon (new potatoes mixed with boiled white cabbage) or serve them separately. Try adding green food coloring to regular mashed potatoes for something non-traditional, but fun! If you are looking for something different, you could offer Lamb chops, Baked Cod, Irish Stew, or Shepherd's Pie. Complete the dinner with Irish Soda Bread. Beverages include "green" beer, or Guinness. Also try some Black and Tan (Irish stout & lager beer) or Black Velvet (Guinness & champagne.) Top it off with Irish cream pie, green apple slices, kiwi, shamrock shaped cookies or cupcakes with green icing. Scatter some bowls of pistachios and green M & M's around. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wedding Presents

It is customary for the wedding presents to be sent ahead of time to the bride. The question arises then "what does the couple do with the wedding presents received before the wedding?" Hold on to them and wait to use them until after their honeymoon. While packages are sent ahead, cards are usually brought to the wedding.
The tradition of displaying the gifts is not as popular as it once was. In the past, gifts were displayed on a table usually at the bride's home for friends and relatives to see. An individual place setting displaying the couples china, silver and crystal pattern would be set and various gifts received would also be displayed. Checks were also on the table with a ribbon concealing the amount, covered with glass. Guests were invited ahead of time to the home to see the gifts. One rarely sees that practice today.
When shopping for the couple, one does not have to send a present from their registry, but it's a good idea to consult the registry. If the couple have registered for china, silver or crystal, the gift giver can give them something in the pattern that they have chosen. Consulting the registry is also helpful in learning their colors and style. Gifts can be given up to one year of the wedding date. It's not the cost of the gift, but the thoughts and good wishes of the giver.