Nancy Amster's Blog – November 2013 Archive (6)

Due to the high cost of venue rentals, there is a new trend emerging; home weddings. There is a special warmth and uniqueness derived from a home wedding you just cannot get in a hotel setting.  A home wedding can range from a formal catered affair to a more casual do-it-yourself reception.  Having your wedding at home can offer you more flexibility with regard to personal choices and time schedules.

Weather permitting, you can have the wedding in your own garden, under a stately tree…

If you have been asked to give a speech at a wedding or rehearsal dinner, here are some things to think about.

 Have a discussion with the bride and groom about what would be the appropriate length of the speech.

Construct the speech in advance. Write it on 5 index cards in the following categories:

1. Introduce yourself

2. Explain…

There are some interesting differences and similarities between a Jewish wedding and a Catholic wedding. It is very helpful to the guests to have a program describing the ceremonial aspects so they can follow along.

The differences begin on the invitation. The wording on a wedding invitation for Catholics is the parents of the bride are hosting and generally are…

I have been selling guest books for 20 years. And as I look around my store, many guest books adorn my shelves, staring at me like sad and forgotten dolls. Silk, moiré, satin, linen, plain or decorated with organza bows, swarovski crystals, monogrammed, you name it.  I do have a really lovely collection of guest books. But brides are not buying guests books. What, in…

The Military Arch of sabers or swords is an elegant and formal ritual that the men and women in the armed forces are privileged to use as part of their military wedding.  It is not mandatory, but does make an impressive and memorable element of the military wedding ceremony. The Arch is an old tradition, and the passing of the bride and groom through it symbolizes a welcome and is meant to assure the couple’s safe transition into their new lives together. As part of the tradition, as the…

In a word, yes.  Providing welcome bags for your guests staying in hotels is a gracious courtesy that your wedding guests will really appreciate. Do you remember the time you arrived in some strange city and got to your hotel room late at night?  Your options, a $4.00 bottle of water and a $5.00 Milky Way from the honor system mini- bar, a…