Not all gifts come wrapped in packages and not all gifts can be found on a wedding registry. Sometimes the most special gifts are the words we say, like the sentiments we express when speaking at a wedding. This year we have featured Survival Expert, Kathy Goodman of Well Rehearsed and her fantastic rehearsal dinner toasting tips but with wedding season in full gear we wanted to remind you of some other tips to keep in mind when preparing a wedding reception toast.  

Do:

Introduce yourself with a brief bio so others know your relationship to the couple

Example: “Hello, my name is Elle and I am the groom’s sister.”

Know that Ramble On is a song by Led Zeppelin

Example: Keep your words brief, succinct, personal and anecdotal. Really think about what you would like to say to the couple and stick to your topic. Short and sweet go a long way.

Passage your way to a cheers

Example: Share a favorite poem, passage, lyric or quote that reflects how you feel on this wedding day.

See our Expert Survival Tip: Personalized Wedding Poems by Chloe Yelena Miller for more on wedding poems.

Don’t:

Speak at a wedding if you do not intimately know the couple or their families

Example: If the father of the bride is your boss but you are not so familiar with the bride, do not give a speech.

Talk more about yourself than the newlyweds

Example: Even if you are the incredible person who introduced the bride to the groom and in your mind take responsibility for their marriage, do not go on and on about this magical introduction. After all, this is not your big day. Your day was the day you made the introduction.

Would you give yourself such a standing ovation if the couple you brought together divorces? I think not. So tone it down…way down at the reception.

Carry on about your religious beliefs

Example: If the couple is not of your faith, or chose to have a nondenominational ceremony - or maybe an interfaith ceremony - there is probably a reason. Want to see a room of people sober up and get uncomfortable real fast? Start preaching.

Please do not read me wrong. Feel free to have and carry your beliefs, but as a guest be mindful of the beliefs of others and don’t grab the microphone as a way to start a conversion. This may sound outrageous to you, but I have seen it happen and a wondrous affair went really south and sour for a good fifteen minutes. Luckily a salsa band came to the rescue.

Related topics:

1. Wedding Gift 101
2. Expert Survival Tip: What To Expect At A Rehearsal Dinner by Kathy Goodman
3. Expert Survival Tip: To Bring A Date Or Not To Bring A Date by Vicky Choy
4. Bad Guest Etiquette: Asking About The Rehearsal Dinner
5. Best Wishes Bride. Congratulations Groom. 
6. What To Expect At A Quaker Wedding

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

Pottery Barn Hotel Robe ($89.00)

Perhaps it’s a sign of a long week, but today’s SWS Fashion Friday is dedicated to spa style. Ways to celebrate wedding season spa style: spa-theme bachelorette party or bridal shower, bridal shower gift, bridesmaid thank you gift, mother of the bride and/or groom thank you gift, honeymoon gift to the bride and groom, or just a comfy robe to buy yourself to crawl into once wedding season reaches a pause (because you know it’s coming round again). Non-wedding related ways to celebrate spa style:  manicures, pedicures, cucumber-infused water, herbal tea, face masks, massages, cooling aromatherapy eye patches, bubble baths, steams and turning off all electronic devices.

I, personally like Bloody Marys as part of my spa style, but that might not be for everyone (says the girl on day two of her Blue Print Cleanse).

One of my most favorite and appreciated bridesmaid gifts ever received was a monogrammed, waffle-knit, terry-cloth, spa robe. The bride presented us with the robes after the rehearsal dinner and the following day - the wedding day - they were the perfect wear for getting ready in the bridal suite; especially during hair and make-up, and pre-wedding photos. We were all definitely a little more cozy and calm while we helped our friend get ready for her big day.

Bah! While I was writing this a dear friend from college just told me she got engaged! She told me via Gtalk because she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Because of the time difference (me - LA, her - NYC) she kept missing me with the phone. Ah technology, making my day. And see what I mean about wedding season coming round again!  

Also in SWS Fashion Friday news, if you live in Los Angeles this Sunday, May 23rd from 1pm to 4pm The Fashion Exchange is hosting the clothing swap of all clothing swaps to benefit Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. The event will take place at the Rec Center Studio located at 1161 Logan Street, LA, CA 90026. All you have to do is bring a minimum of five gently-used clothing items or accessories and then start shopping.

Related topics:

1. Maid Of Honor, Grab Your Girls and Your Guns
2. SWS Official Maid of Honor Call Me Card
3. Mobile Day Spa Bachelorette Party
4. SWS Fashion Friday - Amelia Rose Initial Charm Pendant
5. This FIAZ CO Clutch Is A Clutch Bridesmaid Gift    
6. Beach Bike Riding Bachelorettes

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

Thank you Spa 7 for providing Survive Wedding Season with a special offer for Mother’s Day:

Gift cards can be used for services at Spa 7 Cosmetic & Laser Center’s locations or products. Products can be shipped to any place in the US.  Also of note, this package has a $300 value for only $200!

Spa 7 Locations:

Spa 7 Cosmetic & Laser Center
(inside of Burke Williams Day Spa)
8000 W. Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Telephone: 323.656.1182 | Toll Free: 877.SPA 7CLC (877.772.7252)

Spa 7 Cosmetic & Laser Center
(inside of Burke Williams Day Spa)
39 Mills Place, Pasadena 91105.
Telephone: 626.377.4071| Toll Free: 877.SPA 7CLC (877.772.7252)

Spa 7 Brochure click here

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

If you are hosting a spa-themed Bridal Shower why not provide your guests with some stress relief for later. What about an organic dream pillow party favor? We found some gorgeous ones on an Etsy store called Home Grown Pillows that we think you might like. These might also make for great Mother’s Day gifts.

Home Grown Pillows' Sweet Dreams Dream Pillow ($8.95 for 2 on Etsy)

Dream Pillow Ingredients:

Lavender, Peppermint, Mugwort, Chamomile, Yarrow, Catnip, Rose Hips/Rose Petals and Orange Peel. All natural organic ingredients and no pesticides or chemicals.

Related topics:

1. Basic Bridal Shower Etiquette 101
2. Hosting A Bridal Shower? What Will You Serve?
3. Bridal Shower Party Favor - Wine Stopper
4. Bridal Shower Yoga On The Beach
5. Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post.
6. Bridal Shower Cocktails by Chef Pace Webb

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™

We all know that wedding season involves a lot of cheers and toasts. That part is one of the things we truly love about it. And while champagne grapes actually do grow on trees, free booze does not.

So whether you just want to send a nice engagement gift, or you are hosting a bridal shower, or maybe you are the parents of the bride paying for the reception, it is important to mindfully budget for alcohol. Oftentimes it is the most expensive part of any celebration. And usually it is more expensive than you estimate.  

Entertaining at home? Price shop until you find the lowest price for the best quality at your local markets and discount stores. Or maybe create a signature drink for the affair - like Bridesmaid White Wine Sangria - and make that the only alcohol you serve.

Want to have champagne at your friend’s Bachelorette party and lots of it? Maybe rethink that idea and go with an affordable prosecco like the one I found on wine.com that was under $20. But if you are expecting others to chip in and help pay for alcohol you better be clear on that plan during the initial party planning.  Make sure to provide an estimated budget so that others can let you know what they can afford. Plus conversation helps lead to great solutions. Someone in your group might have a Costco membership and that could come in handy saving everyone money.  

Now to develop a Bridesmaid White Wine Sangria.

Related topics:

1. Basic Bridal Shower Etiquette 101
2. Email Never Looked So Elegant! Try Paperless Post.
3. Now This Is An Organized Maid Of Honor!
4. Parting Gifts: Don’t Discount ROSS
5. Hosting A Bridal Shower? What Will You Serve?   
6. Expert Survival Tip: Survive A Wedding Hangover by Esther Blum

Have a great wedding survival tip to share with the Survive Wedding Season community? Email your tips to solutions@surviveweddingseason.com.

Your Attendance Is Appreciated! ^™