Wedding News and Advice

I came across this article on wedding invitations today. I couldn't have worded it better, so I'm going to paste it in on here.

Invitation should fit style, taste, budget
The Birmingham News
by Alene Gamel

Planning a wedding can be a fun and exciting adventure.

It can also be very stressful, confusing and time consuming.

One area of concern is choosing the proper invitation. This can be a daunting project, with the bride, mom and groom all weighing in on paper weight, font, color and wording.

In choosing the right invitation for you, think about the style and formality of your wedding.

For instance, if you are having a casual garden wedding, don't pick a traditional, formal invitation. You might instead pick something with a little color on it, use a more casual font and forgo the double envelopes.

Remember that it is important to convey the essence of the event, as the invitation will prepare your guests for the type of event you are having.

Why does it matter, you might ask?

Personally, I would like to know so that I might be able to choose my clothing appropriately.

I would dress very differently if I were going to a beach wedding, than I would if I were going to a formal, sit-down dinner in a ballroom.

All that said, let's discuss wording. If the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, then the wording should read: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, request the honor of your presence.

If both sets of parents are hosting the wedding then they should both be included, and the wording should be: Mr. and Mrs. John Doe and Mr. and Mrs. James Smith request the honor ...

There are several things to note here, the phrase "request the honor of your presence," is used only if the wedding ceremony will take place in a house of worship.

All other venues, such as a garden, back yard, beach and ballroom, would use the phrase "request the pleasure of your company."

As for including the groom's parents' names, this is only done if they are sharing in a major part of the wedding expense.

This concept is based purely on monetary commitment, but look at it this way - if you are throwing the party, then you can invite the guests.

If the groom's parents are not involved monetarily, they are not hosting the party, and therefore, are guests of the bride's parents.

Also, never, ever put the name of a deceased parent on the invitation.

One of our fine stationers here in Birmingham said it this way - this is a celebration of the living and the future, the growth of life and its continuance from parent to child.

I suggest that you honor the memory of the deceased in other ways: Include them in the program or light a memory candle at the ceremony.

A couple of other things to think about are:

Never place an RSVP on the invitation itself, unless it is for a very casual wedding. If you need to keep up with a head count, you should send a separate response card along with the invitation.

A formal invitation should always be hand addressed. A mailing label gives the impression of mass production instead of the personal delivery from the host to the guest.

Hopefully these little tips will help prepare you as you begin the process of choosing the perfect invitation and knowing what to put on it.

The view the original article go to The Birmingham News website.

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The fall and winter are beautiful times for a wedding. Rich colors, elegant dresses and the guys sure appreciate the cooler weather when they are wearing a tux.

Use the season to help create a beautiful theme for your wedding. If you are getting married in the fall, incorporate the rich colors of brown, gold or red. Decorate with fall leaves, candles, and deep colored tablecloths.

You can take the fall theme through to your wedding invitations like this one called "Trailing Maple Leaves" featuring an embossed maple leaf border. Finish the look with a gold embossed maple leaf envelope seal.

Winter weddings are beautiful with rich jewel tones of green, red, blue and purple. Use the holidays to help create a theme for your wedding. An example is my brother who was married a week before Christmas. He and his bride decided to give away Christmas ornaments printed with their names and wedding date. It's a keepsake we still use every year.

Don't feel that you have to incorporate Christmas into your winter wedding. You can use winter themes without Santa. Try dusting your centerpieces with fake snow. Use candles wrapped in holly or festive ribbon in a jewel tone to match your wedding theme. Accent your wedding colors with silver or gold.

Take your winter theme into your wedding invitations. My favorite is the "Winter Holly" invitation featuring pearl embossed holly leaves with berries. Complete the look with envelopes lined in a tone to match your wedding theme, or use silver or gold lined envelopes for an elegant accent.

Don't forget, Invito Cards has a Summer Special going on
5% off on everything! So order your invitations today!

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The bridal shower is an event to honor the bride-to-be, and planning one does not have to be a difficult task. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a bridal shower:

Choose a theme for the shower. Try to find one that reflects the bride's personality or interests such as wine tasting, gourmet cooking or travel. There are also more "traditional" themes such as lingerie or a bridal tea.

Find a location to accommodate your theme. A restaurant, day spa, hotel, or private home are all good choices. Many restaurants have private rooms you can use for free as long as you are purchasing food from them.

Decide on a time frame. Depending on the theme, guests and activities you have planned, most showers last between 2 to 4 hours. It helps to have a rough outline of what you are planning to include such as:

• Arrival and introduction of guests
• Food/beverages
• Games
• Gift opening
• Cake serving

Send invitations - it's best to have the bride help you create a guest list so you do not leave anyone out. Shower invitations should be sent out after the wedding invitations have been mailed so you can confirm everyone on the guest list has been invited to the wedding.

Plan a menu to be served at the shower. This does not have to be a complicated decision. If you are using a restaurant or hotel, they will have limited choices for you to choose from, and if you are using a private home, you can stick to one type of food (i.e. appetizers, full meal, desserts, etc.) Consider the time of day when planning food for your shower. You don't want to serve dinner at 2:00 PM. Most bridal showers incorporate a cake.

Select games to play at the bridal shower. Games help all of the guests feel involved and help keep the event moving. It's also a great way to help strangers get to know one another. See example here of Bridal Shower Bingo.

Choose decor to fit your theme. Look for centerpieces and props as well as table linens and wall hangings. Purchase a take home gift for your guests in conjunction with your theme such as personalized wine glasses for a wine tasting, or a mini cook book for a gourmet cooking theme. You can include the bride and groom's names and wedding date to make it a keepsake.

Stay organized, use your creativity and have a fantastic bridal shower!

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Eco-Friendly Weddings: Online Bridal Boutique Launches Contest to Find Best Green Wedding Ideas

With the growing popularity of eco-friendly weddings, Beautiful-Bridal.com has launched a contest that challenges brides to come up with original suggestions for green weddings.

Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) April 30, 2008 -- Beautiful-Bridal.com has issued a green challenge to all brides-to-be. The online bridal boutique has launched a contest in honor of Earth Day asking brides to submit original and unique eco-friendly wedding ideas. The winner will receive a free bridal tiara valued at $55.

Kathleen Terrana, owner of Beautiful Bridal, says the contest (called "Brides Make Smart Choices") is intended to make us more mindful of our consuming habits. She says weddings can be extremely wasteful if they aren't planned with the environment in mind.

"The choices you make at your wedding will eventually affect me, and the choices I make will eventually affect you, because they all impact on the environment. So it makes sense to share our environmentally-friendly wedding ideas with each other and celebrate the happiest day of our lives in a responsible way that leaves a positive legacy for our children," says Terrana.

The movement towards green weddings is gaining momentum as more and more brides include environmental choices in almost every aspect of their planning. They're choosing, for example, second-hand or rented wedding gowns, rings made of recycled gold, a reception serving local food and drink, hybrid limos for the bridal party, organic in-season flowers, a honeymoon that's close to home, etc.

Ms Terrana has come up with a few of her own suggestions for environmentally-friendly weddings to help inspire contest entrants:

• Make personalized wedding favors by decoratively wrapping up garden seeds or tree seedlings, then customize them with blessings, poems, or personal messages.


• Use biodegradable or recycled paper wedding invitations, wrapping paper, ribbons and gift cards.


• Give your attendants jewelry made from recycled metals and stones.


• Book the wedding and reception within walking distance of each other so car travel is reduced.

The "Brides Make Smart Choices" contest closes on June 30, 2008. Details on how to submit ideas to the eco-friendly wedding contest can be found on the Beautiful Bridal blog: http://beautiful-bridal.blogspot.com/

About Beautiful Bridal:

Beautiful Bridal began in 1995 as a retail boutique in Virginia Beach, VA, offering discount bridal tiaras and wedding veils to discriminating brides on a budget. In 2005, owner Kathleen Terrana took Beautiful-Bridal.com online and expanded her product line to include designer veils, discount bridal jewelry, bridesmaid jewelry, and the very popular matching tiara and jewelry sets.

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Invito Cards has a new collection of wedding invitations!

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You hear about it everywhere - recycle, save the environment. We are all more aware than even a year ago. Well, brides are listening too, and this year it is stylish to be "green".

Carlson Craft® has heard the call and has created a collection called Naturally Ever After with wedding invitations made with at least 30% post consumer fibers.

I know what you are thinking - these wedding invitations must look like brown paper bags, or have those specs of dirty looking paper in them making them look faded. Well that's not the case at all.

Check out this invitation called Calla Lilly Connection. It features beautiful white calla lilies with an embossed flourish over the top of the flowers. The invitation is printed in raised ink so you still have the same high quality printing as other wedding invitations.



























You can also get all of the other features that come with standard wedding invitations like lined envelopes and a printed return address on the outer envelopes. The best thing too is that the price is comparable to any other wedding invitation. For instance, the Calla Lilly Connection is about $1.85 per invitation when you order 100.

Recycled wedding invitations also are available in trendy colors. Chocolate or mocha is one of the hottest colors this year and combined with yellow, blue or pink creates a beautiful palette for your summer wedding. Use the lighter color inks on the Simply Mocha wedding invitation from Carlson Craft.



























You can also cut down on the amount of paper you use by choosing a seal-n-send wedding invitation. This style of invitation includes a postcard-style respond card attached to the bottom of your wedding invitation that your guests tear off and mail back to you. The respond and invitation fold up and are sealed with a small seal and mailed as one piece. There are no envelopes used. A perfect example is the Faded Floral Seal-N-Send wedding invitation made with recycled paper.



























So if you are a bride and groom that pride yourselves in doing your part to save our planet, consider going green for your wedding invitations. For more wedding invitations in the Naturally Ever After collection, visit http://www.invitocards.cceasy.com/

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Summer weddings in 2008 are all about color - so kiss the black and white weddings goodbye. Bright colors create joy and excitement. You can be creative in so many ways with color ribbons on your decorations, colorful tablecloths, or mixed floral centerpieces.

Follow through with your color theme on your wedding invitation and set the stage:

With so many colors to choose from just about anything goes. Deep jewel tones are back including deep greens, bright pinks and rich purples. But keep your dress style simple. A nice a-line will keep your bridesmaids from looking like throwbacks from the 80's.

Shades of pink are hot this year including everything from pale and pure pink to deep fuchsia. Complement lighter pinks with chocolate for a beautiful look. See it featured here in the Summer Solstice wedding invitation from Carlson Craft printed in chocolate ink.


Do you like Tiffany blue? Shades of blue create an elegant wedding with a traditional touch - think "Something old, something blue..." Silver, white and chocolate all complement shades of light blue. An example is the Perfect Paisley Wedding Invitation by Carlson Craft.

Yellow has been featured on the 2008 wedding fashion show runways. This bright, cheery color is fresh and summery. Bright shades of yellow are complemented by silvery grey, or pair lemon yellow with chocolate brown.


And as you can probably tell by it complementing so many popular colors, chocolate is very fashionable this year. Dresses in satin chocolate make for an elegant evening wedding. You can complement it with accents from the colors mentioned above - blue, pink, yellow or peach. Silver or gold works great with chocolate too. There are many wedding invitations featuring this rich brown color including the Chocolate Swirl wedding invitation by Carlson Craft shown here.



If you like these invitations featured here and would like to see more, visit http://www.invitocards.cceasy.com/ to see the entire selection.

Labels: color, invitation, wedding

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Save the Date cards have become very popular. They are wonderful to use because they announce your upcoming wedding long before your wedding invitations go out allowing your guests to get you on their calendars early. This helps with out of town guests who have to plan travel and for those who have to take time off from work.

Save the Date cards do not have to be as formal as a wedding invitation. As a matter of fact, you can find some very creative Save the Date announcements. For example, check out this Save the Date CD label:

Use these on CD's or DVD's and share photos, music or videos to announce your upcoming wedding.

My favorite are Save the Date magnets. Unlike cards that tend to get thrown away, your guests can stick these right on the fridge where it won't get lost.

Here are a few examples:

Rose Whispers Save the Date magnet features a black and white rose behind a calendar marking your wedding date.

The Illuminating Love Save the Date Magnet by Carlson Craft features your photo with your upcoming wedding date. This one is great because your guests also get a keepsake photo of you!

This magnet features the fun message that you "are tying the knot!"

For these and more great ideas for your Save the Date, visit http://www.invitocards.cceasy.com/

Labels: invitation, save the date, wedding

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When choosing wedding invitations, some of the terminology can be confusing. Here are a few terms you may find common with wedding invitation vendors.

Blind Embossing
Blind embossing is a printing method where an image is pressed into paper resulting in a raised design. The embossing is termed “blind” because the design is formed without ink or foil. (Debossing is an image stamped onto paper or a napkin without ink or foil; it appears “indented.”)

Bright White
This shade is the ultimate in white, very crisp, pure and bright!

Card
Invitation cards do not fold, your wording is printed on the front.

Deckle Edge
An uneven, feathery edge on a piece of paper is called a deckle edge. This edge is most commonly found on parchment invitations; however, other papers may also have deckle edges and will be noted in descriptions.

Die-Cutting
The process of using sharp metal rules to cut shapes and designs into paper. Die-cutting includes cutout shapes and sculpted edges.

Double Envelopes
The traditional set of two envelopes is used with formal invitations and announcements. The outer envelope is addressed to the guest and may have your (the sender’s) address printed on the back flap. The inner envelope, with the invitation and enclosures is enclosed inside the outer envelope. The inner envelope carries only the guests’ names. The inner envelope is available with a coordinating liner; it is not gummed and is not sealed.

Ecru
This color is a warm creamy beige.

Embossing
Embossing is like blind embossing above, only this type of printing uses ink or foil on the raised area to add drama and dimension.

Foil Stamping

This effect is achieved when colored foil is hot-stamped onto paper (perhaps a Christmas card) or accessory items, such as napkins.

Folder
Invitation folders are folded once, either to create a top or side fold. Your wording is printed on the front.

French-Fold
A sheet of paper folded twice to create a four-paneled invitation is considered French-folded. This fold is most common with parchment invitations.

Layers
This term indicates layers of paper tied or glued together. If the top layer is translucent and the lower is decorative paper, you’ll see a muted version of the lower layer through the translucent top.

Liners
This term refers to the decorative paper used to line the inside of an inner envelope or a single envelope.

Panel
A panel is the center section of your invitation “framed” by a raised area of paper. It also refers to pages facing each other. For example, a tri-fold invitation when opened fully, has a left, middle and right panel.

Parchment
This translucent paper is made to look like original parchment. This distinctive paper adds a softening effect to any invitation.

Pearlize
The process that applies a luminous pearl-like finish to part of an invitation, usually to an embossed design, is called pearlizing.

Short-Fold
A short-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded once, not exactly in half, forming an invitation with a short front panel and longer back panel.

Soft White
This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

Thermography
This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface.

Tri-Fold
A tri-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice to form a three-paneled invitation. Both outside panels are folded inward to cover the center panel.

Vellum
Vellum is a paper with a rich, smooth finish.

White
This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

Z-Fold
A z-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice in accordion fashion to form a three-paneled invitation.

Courtesy of www.invitocards.cceasy.com

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When I planned my wedding, I had already worked in the bridal industry for many years. So when it came time to choose a wedding invitation, I knew exactly where to get what I wanted and where to find it. Now, with so many choices, it can be hard to know what to choose. Are you getting a good quality invitation? Is the pricing fair? Here are some tips to help you along the way:

• Professional high quality wedding invitations are usually printed with a process called thermography, also referred to as "raised ink". This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface. The raised ink gives the look and feel of engraving without the expense. Engraved invitations are available but tend to cost more.
  
• When comparing prices, check the price for a quantity of 150. Most price breaks end at 150 and there is a flat rate based on increments of 25 above that quantity. If you look at prices based on a quantity of 25, where most invitations begin, you are comparing the worst pricing per invitation. (For instance Invitation A may cost $100 for 25, $115 for 50, and $125 for 150 vs. Invitation B at $90 for 25, $112 for 50 and $124 for 150, at the 150 quantity pricing is about equal)
  
• Choose an invitation printed by a well known manufacturer such as Carlson Craft. If you are not sure check out the manufacturer's website. If it looks home made, it probably is.
  
• Order a sample. Most places will send you a sample for a couple of dollars and it makes sense to see it in person before you buy 100 of them.

There are different parts to wedding invitations that you may or may not need. Here is a breakdown for you.

Your main piece, the wedding invitation, will come with double envelopes, an inner and outer envelope, and sometimes tissues. The tissue is to be placed on top of the printing before sliding it into your inner envelope which is then placed inside the outer envelope which is addressed.

Many companies offer to have your inner envelopes "lined" for an additional fee. This is where you choose a color that is adhered inside the flap of the inner envelope to give it an elegant look. Its not necessary but does look nice. You can also pay an additional fee to have your return address printed on the outer envelope flap. Personally, I think this is worth the additional cost as it saves you time in printing labels or writing a return address and looks more formal.

In addition to your wedding invitation you can buy Reception cards. These cards tell your guests where to find your reception after the wedding ceremony. I suggest you use these if the reception is in a different location than the wedding ceremony and you have to include a complete address. The reception card is put above your tissue with your invitation inside the inner envelope. An alternative to buying a Reception card is called "corner copy". This is two to three lines of copy placed in the bottom left or right corner of your wedding invitation and usually costs a small fee (but considerably less than buying Reception cards). Examples of corner copy text:

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Just in! InvitoCards.com is adding Bridal Shower invitations to the storefront. Keep checking back as we are still in the process of adding new invitations and accessories.

Labels: bridal, invitation, shower

Posted by Invito Cards at 9:05 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

When I planned my wedding, I had already worked in the bridal industry for many years. So when it came time to choose a wedding invitation, I knew exactly where to get what I wanted and where to find it. Now, with so many choices, it can be hard to know what to choose. Are you getting a good quality invitation? Is the pricing fair? Here are some tips to help you along the way:

- Professional high quality wedding invitations are usually printed with a process called thermography, also referred to as "raised ink". This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface. The raised ink gives the look and feel of engraving without the expense. Engraved invitations are available but tend to cost more.

- When comparing prices, check the price for a quantity of 150. Most price breaks end at 150 and there is a flat rate based on increments of 25 above that quantity. If you look at prices based on a quantity of 25, where most invitations begin, you are comparing the worst pricing per invitation. (For instance Invitation A may cost $100 for 25, $115 for 50, and $125 for 150 vs. Invitation B at $90 for 25, $112 for 50 and $124 for 150, at the 150 quantity pricing is about equal)

- Choose an invitation printed by a well known manufacturer such as Carlson Craft. If you are not sure check out the manufacturer's website. If it looks home made, it probably is.

- Order a sample. Most places will send you a sample for a couple of dollars and it makes sense to see it in person before you buy 100 of them.

There are different parts to wedding invitations that you may or may not need. Here is a breakdown for you.

Your main piece, the wedding invitation, will come with double envelopes, an inner and outer envelope, and sometimes tissues. The tissue is to be placed on top of the printing before sliding it into your inner envelope which is then placed inside the outer envelope which is addressed.

Many companies offer to have your inner envelopes "lined" for an additional fee. This is where you choose a color that is adhered inside the flap of the inner envelope to give it an elegant look. Its not necessary but does look nice. You can also pay an additional fee to have your return address printed on the outer envelope flap. Personally, I think this is worth the additional cost as it saves you time in printing labels or writing a return address and looks more formal.

In addition to your wedding invitation you can buy Reception cards. These cards tell your guests where to find your reception after the wedding ceremony. I suggest you use these if the reception is in a different location than the wedding ceremony and you have to include a complete address. The reception card is put above your tissue with your invitation inside the inner envelope. An alternative to buying a Reception card is called "corner copy". This is two to three lines of copy placed in the bottom left or right corner of your wedding invitation and usually costs a small fee (but considerably less than buying Reception cards). Examples of corner copy text:

Reception immediately
following ceremony

or

Reception following
Burton's Restaurant
110 3rd Street

Another card you can purchase is called a Respond card. This card is filled out by your guests and mailed back to you. It includes a line for their name and a check box or line to confirm the number of guests attending. The Respond card comes with preprinted envelopes (your address), and typically the bride and groom include postage on them. If you are having a catered event, a Respond card will help when you need to give a final count to your caterer. If you are having menu choices, you can also include these on your Respond card so your guests can choose a meal in advance. Respond cards are also mailed with your invitation inside the inner envelope.

The final card you can purchase is a personalized note card. I am a fan of these because the are elegant (they are card stock that matches your invitation) and they are printed with the bride and groom's names or monogram on the front and blank inside. These are typically used as thank you notes after your wedding ceremony, but can be also used for simple notes to your friends and family.

Save the Date! These are becoming more popular. Save the Date cards are mailed long before your wedding invitations (6 months to a year) so that your guests can keep your wedding date open on their calendars. Save the Date's are recommended if you have guests that are coming from out of town.

One final tip. Before mailing your wedding invitation, especially if you have multiple cards inserted, be sure to check the postage rate. You don't want to have them all returned to you...

www.invitocards.com

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The Canadian Press

As the bride and groom turned toward each other to say their vows, the ocean sparkled in the background and white sand warmed the guests' feet. The moment was interrupted only by a toddler - mine - yelling, "I want to sit in Mommy's lap!"

I scooped him up, only to knock the pacifier out of my two-month-old's mouth. Her lips quivered, preparing for a full-blown wail. I popped it back in just in time.

Double meltdown averted. Still, the ceremony was a harrowing half-hour for me.

Bringing the kids along to "destination weddings" - those that require travel to exotic locales - has become a priority and a challenge for many bridal couples and their guests.

Brides and grooms who invite kids to faraway weddings must consider everything from properly addressing invitations to bedtimes to custody issues.

"If you're asking guests to travel and including children, you have to be doing some research ahead of time," says Jeanne Hamilton, author of "Wedding Etiquette Hell" (St. Martin's Press, 2005). "The bride's responsibility is making sure guests are comfortable. If you're including kids, then you should ensure the experience for kids is just as pleasurable as it is for adults."

As for parents, it's up to them to make sure kids behave.

It can add up to one sticky situation - in some cases, quite literally, says Hamilton, who more than once has seen the frosting get licked off the cake before it's served.

Whether to invite kids is completely up to the bride and groom, she says.

Stephanie Clarke, a wedding planner at the resort we stayed at, the Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya, recommends going for the full-family affair if the location calls for it.

"It's an island atmosphere with sand, sun and sea, and it's not just about the wedding," she says. "It's about relaxation and fun for the kids too."

Many guests with kids might just RSVP "no" to a far-off wedding because of expensive or complicated travel arrangements. Amy Swedberg and Michael Hagen of Minneapolis found that many of their invitees - including Swedberg's sister - couldn't attend their wedding in the Bahamas.

"I'm going to be 37, and all my friends had babies recently," Swedberg says. "Three years ago, it would have been one big party."

The couple is planning a reception at home to accommodate friends - kids included - who can't make the trip.

Since many guests do, however, agree to come with kids in tow, here are some suggestions for brides and grooms trying to make them feel welcome:

-Invitations: Etiquette says envelopes should be addressed to everyone invited, children included, says Cindy Post Senning, co-author of "Guide to Good Manners for Kids" (Diane Publishing, 2006) and a director at the Emily Post Institute.

Swedberg and Hagen sent invitations by e-mail, which they realized later might have been a mistake, in part because it wasn't clear whether kids were welcome.

-Babysitting: Hamilton suggests providing professional sitting services during the ceremony and the later hours of the reception.

-Diversions: Consider setting tables with paper placemats and crayons, stocking a table with games during the dancing, and leaving gift bags with small toys and snacks on toddlers' seats during the ceremony.

-Think twice about including children in the ceremony, Senning says. "They could freeze - or have a tantrum. Some adults almost pass out from the anxiety of being in a wedding, so it's no wonder that kids will have screaming fits."

Parents should be prepared to walk down the aisle with their child, if need be.

And even if kids aren't directly involved in the event, it's parents' responsibility to make sure they don't wreck it, Senning says.

Some advice for parents:

-Plan an escape route: Sit near an exit and be prepared to use it.

-Designate an adult companion for each child: Especially if you're in the wedding party, make sure your child has a trusted adult with whom to sit, and play if need be. Hand the friend a bag of small (quiet!) treats, like Cheerios or hard candy, with instructions to dole them out slowly.

-Or find a babysitter.

Kristin Benson of Minneapolis left her toddler at home with grandparents when she and her husband attended a friend's wedding in Charleston, S.C. She did bring her two-month-old, who seemed to enjoy the party in a sling around mom's neck. But Benson says she would have enjoyed herself more had she been kid-free.

"She was a trooper and slept through most of the night, but we didn't get to fully have the adult experience," Benson says.

As for me, after my son's outburst at the Bahamas wedding, my two-month-old sobbed through most of the dinner. Still, watching the toddlers running through the sand and dancing with abandon at the reception, I was grateful kids were included in the invitation.

http://canadianpress.google.com

Labels: destination, guest, invitation, kids, wedding

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