|
The Pre-Wedding Parties
As social events go, there aren't many that can top a wedding.
The wedding reception really, is when the fun begins. But let's
not forget about the parties that precede the wedding, the
engagement parties, the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the
wedding shower and the rehearsal dinner. These pre-wedding
parties can be great fun, too. Here is a run-down of
each:
The Engagement Party
A great way to announce the upcoming
nuptials is with an engagement party. Traditionally, the
parents of the bride hold this event a month or so after the
couple announces their engagement. However, there are no set
rules and they can be held at home, at a restaurant, or
anywhere the host prefers. Engagement parties for the most part
are intimate affairs of a casual nature. Their purpose is to
give bride and groom an opportunity to meet each other's family
members and close friends. If the couple's parents live far
apart, it's not uncommon for the groom's family to hold a
second engagement party. Typically gifts are not given.
Invitations can be hand-written or even verbal. If you need to
plan for food, include an RSVP.
The Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
The stereotypical bachelor party consisting of a wild night of
drinking and strippers is giving way to more coordinated
events. Although still quite popular, these parties are being
replaced by guys getting together to watch a major sporting
event either live or on TV, or to spend a week-end together
skiing or fishing, or even by holding a poker tournament.
Traditionally held the night before the wedding, this too is
changing and these parties are being coordinated earlier, for
reasons that don't need to be explained. For a long time, the
wedding shower was the 'bride's party.' Bachelorette parties
are a relative newcomer to the wedding scene and they, too are
coordinated by the bridal party. Make no mistake; these parties
can be just as wild as the bachelor parties. But they can also
involve a simple, relaxing day at the spa.
The Wedding Shower
Wedding showers are great social events designed to give the
soon-to-be couple the things they'll need when they move into
their new home together. It's also a way to add to a bride's
trousseau. Many of today's wedding showers are themed, and can
be anything from a recipe shower to a camping shower in which
the gifts would include things the couple could use on their
camping adventures. Wedding showers should be held a few weeks
before the wedding date and only those guests who have been
invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower. Some
women are lucky and end up having more than one wedding
shower.
Rehearsal Dinner
This is a time to relax and get ready for the big day that lies
ahead. Rehearsal dinners are generally for the bridal party
only and they're held immediately after the wedding rehearsal.
They're held early so all can rest up and they're usually held
at the home of the bride or groom's parent or at a
restaurant.
| 
Delicious
Google Bookmarks
Stumbleupon
Digg
BlinkList
Ma.gnolia
Reddit
Yahoo My Web