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This woman skipped a wedding after RSVPing. Then, she says, she received a bill. - Sarah Larimer - Washington Post (09/30/2015)

10/1/2015

 
Listen, guys, sometimes plans change. It’s not personal! Stuff happens. This is an important thing to remember, just generally in life, but especially if you are planning a wedding.

I have never planned a wedding (sorry, Mom), but I have read a considerable amount of advice columns, so I feel like I can say this with some authority.

I’m mentioning it now because this is a story about a Minnesota woman who says she was billed after skipping a wedding to which she had RVSPed.

Yup.

Jessica Baker told KARE-TV that she and her husband received a $75.90 bill after missing the wedding that they had originally planned to attend earlier this year. The couple’s babysitter — Baker’s mother — fell through, which prompted the change of plans, the station reported.

Remember how I said sometimes stuff happens? Here is a real-life example!

“The invoice arrived in the mail yesterday,” Baker told the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis. “My first reaction was just, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve got to be kidding me.'”

“And then, when I read it, the whole thing, I just kind of laughed and had to call up my husband and go, ‘Uh, our friends sent us this bill for not making it to their wedding.’ And we kind of had a good laugh about it.”

The bill covered the cost of two meals, plus tax and a service charge, according to the station.

“This cost reflects the amount paid by bride and groom for meals that were RSVPed for, reimbursement and explanation for no show, card, call or text would be appreciated,” it read.


Her Royal Wedding Comment:

Unfortunately, this is very inappropriate and in the "book" of Wedding Etiquette violations, ranks high on the list. Understand that hosting a wedding or any event for that matter is an investment. Investments come with upside and downside risks. You might argue that guests who do not attend an event they previously RSVP'd for are being inconsiderate of the hosts. But the reality is that life happens. There is always a chance that something unexpected will come up, thus pr...eventing guests from attending the event. But think about this - first, if 2 or more guests not attending will break the bank, then you should seriously consider downsizing the event. Second, it is not okay to send an invoice for the expense - ever. Third, in the name of your friendship, provide your guests some grace - it is very likely they feel bad about missing the ceremony and may even offer to make up for it at a later date.
In the end, the most important attendees are you and your bride/groom. Don't ruin the memory by creating unnecessary drama related to the occasion.


Follow me on Twitter & Instagram: @HerRoyalWedding

‪#‎WeddingAdvice ‪#‎PlanABetterWedding ‪#‎YourWeddingYourWay ‪#‎HerRoyalWedding

Bridesmaid for Hire: Monetize Your Place at the Alter -  ( Jen Glatz took her wedding party role and made it her own business) by Brittany Dandy

4/23/2015

 
Black Enterprise
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Professional bridesmaid for hire, Jen Glantz’s, has taken all the “hopelessness” out of, “always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” notion and turned it into a monetized paid position at the alter.

[Related: NYC Program to Reach 5,000 Underserved Women Entrepreneurs]

According to CNN Money, Glantz, 27, had already been a bridesmaid in six weddings by the age of 26, allowing her, a first hand look at what brides need and want from their dedicated bridal party. While event planners and wedding coordinators handle the logistics of the ceremony and after party, there’s no one around to emotionally support the bride and provide much needed, but sometimes forgotten tidbits of information.

“No one is going to tell you to stretch out your shoes,” Glantz told CNN.

That’s where she– an author who now refers to herself as a professional bridesmaid — comes in.

Wondering why would anyone pay Glantz for “emotional support” and a few extra tips, with all these DIY YouTube videos around? CNN shadowed Glantz one Sunday afternoon in New York City so they could see what a Bridesmaid for Hire is all about.

Outside of the side gig, she works full-time during the week as a copywriter and devotes her off-hours to the startup: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10-hour days on weekends.

Women are paying for everything from speech-writing ($150) to the “ultimate” bride package ($1,000 and up). That includes six one-hour sessions with Glantz and nine hours of logistics on the wedding day — including sometimes standing on the altar alongside the bride. If they aren’t in New York, brides cover Glantz’s travel expenses.

She’s worked with more than 12 brides since June, when she posted an ad on Craigslist on a whim. She offered to help brides with everything from dance skills to style advice.

She didn’t expect to wake up to 250 responses the next morning.

“Week one, I went on live TV and said, ‘This is a free service,’” Glantz told CNN. “I wanted to help strangers. I had no business background. We had to figure out pricing. It’s really creating our own market and our own industry.”

Since then, she’s brought in over $10,000 — and is exploring more ways to monetize the business.

Though the concept seems simple, the self starter admits, “bridesmaiding” is hard work and she doesn’t like asking for help. She tries to be a woman show, but she has been meeting with Ray Lapof, an 82-year-old businessman she met through SCORE, an organization that offers free advice to young entrepreneurs.

With many African American women jumping into unconventional online beauty, and coaching types of business opportunities, bridesmaid for hire, may be one to add to the list.


 Including Family Traditions by Valerie Royal

4/10/2015

 
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When planning a wedding, it is not uncommon to experience some level of angst in attempting to balance style with traditions that are typically incorporated into ceremonies and receptions.  Many a bride is strongly encouraged to follow the guidance of the author of wedding day etiquette – Emily Post.  In this age of over-the-top, non-traditional weddings, there is certainly room to customize the event to reflect your style and taste.  After all, it is your day!

Shannon Owens-Green and husband-to-be Emory knew they wanted a traditional ceremony highlighting their personalities and family traditions.  The Greens incorporated a few classic elements to bring the nuptials and Harlem Renaissance –inspired look to life.  One tradition in particular became the centerpiece of the ceremony.

The Tradition   Customized aisle runner 

Customized aisle runners have become popular as personalization continues to trend in the fashion industry.  While a runner serves as part of presenting the bride, it is largely unnoticed and quickly becomes part of the background if it is not dressed to stand out.  Owens-Green’s aisle runner -  a gift placed at each wedding within the Owens family -  was nothing short of an exquisite piece of art, creating the right balance of elegance and family tradition for the ceremony.  Mrs. Jean Hill, Mother of the Bride and artist wanted to create something special for her children as they took the step into holy matrimony.  Hill designed and built the masterpiece years before monogrammed runners were frequently seen.  The 50 foot, hand- painted canvas bares a scripture, the names of each couple and their respective wedding dates.

The result – a family heirloom and Owens tradition to be handed down for generations to come. 

Tips for incorporating family traditions into your day:

Identify the tradition:  Most brides follow “Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue” as the formula for including family traditions.  Ask relatives about the weddings of family members – are there particular items or details of special meaning to the family that are carried through each ceremony?  Is each wedding performed by the same officiant? Is there a family scripture that can be incorporated?  Traditions are not limited to items. Rituals or elements of significance to the couple can be used – a family church, a special date or even a particular song are good examples.

Highlight the detail:  Acknowledging the tradition creates a point of interest for the guests.  Noting the historical reference of the element within the ceremony or reception is a great way to pay homage to the family and allows the guests to learn more about the bride and groom.  Document the detail by including a note in the wedding program or commenting at the reception.

Share the story:  The very definition of tradition “…the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice…” requires sharing.  Be sure to let future brides know the history of the custom so that the story remains alive.  Capture the essence in photographs, wedding scrapbooks or storing in a hope chest for the next family bride.

Photography: Roberto Gonzales, Décor: Lee Forest Designs, Venue: Westin Lake Mary, Event Designer: Signature Events, LLC., Wedding Planner: A Royal Engagement, LLC


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