Being in the US, a person is free to choose his own way in all aspects of life, including weddings. However, there are several practices that are done during weddings that make it memorable the American way.
Many people these days want to stand out from the rest and be original when it comes to their own weddings. That is why they think of unique ways to personalize their weddings, beginning with the marriage proposal and the engagement. After the engagement the couple will then visit their parents to inform them of the good news.
Sometimes, the couple will host an engagement party which costs less than the whole wedding reception. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served to friends and family. If the couple are having a small reception, then they may decide to invite more people to the engagement party instead.
Another practice that is common for the soon-to-be-married couple is the bridal shower for the bride and the bachelor party for the groom. A bridal shower is normally organized by the maid of honor, while the bachelor party is organized by the best man.
Wedding invitations now have RSVP cards for the guests to reply quickly with regards to their attendance at the wedding. The wedding invitations will normally go out between four to six weeks prior to the wedding.
Another common practice now is the rehearsal dinner, customarily paid for by the groom's parents. This is the time for all guests from near and far come together with the wedding party before the wedding. Sometimes there is also a bridal luncheon hosted for the bride's attendants, as well as a groom's dinner for the groomsmen. This will of course depend on how much time is available before the wedding.
Although in America, people come from different faiths, many still opt for a traditional religious wedding ceremony. And then there are those who believe that it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. So the groom is only allowed to see the bride while she is coming down the aisle.
For the ceremony, the groom and his groomsmen will enter the church through a side door. The bride will come down the aisle accompanied by her father, stepfather or even both as the case may be. For the reception, the couple and the attendants will sit at the bridal table.
Previously gifts were picked on what the guests thought as useful for the couple. Now it would be more advisable to register with a wedding registry so that guests can pick out gifts that the couple really needs.
As the receiver of gifts, do send a thank you note besides verbally expressing thanks. The normal practice is to send the thank you notes two weeks upon receipt of gift. Be creative and make each note personalized.
The above are just some of the common American practices during weddings. Regardless if a couple decides to follow these practices or to start their own traditions, what's more important is that the couple believes in "for better or for worse, till death do us part."
Many people these days want to stand out from the rest and be original when it comes to their own weddings. That is why they think of unique ways to personalize their weddings, beginning with the marriage proposal and the engagement. After the engagement the couple will then visit their parents to inform them of the good news.
Sometimes, the couple will host an engagement party which costs less than the whole wedding reception. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served to friends and family. If the couple are having a small reception, then they may decide to invite more people to the engagement party instead.
Another practice that is common for the soon-to-be-married couple is the bridal shower for the bride and the bachelor party for the groom. A bridal shower is normally organized by the maid of honor, while the bachelor party is organized by the best man.
Wedding invitations now have RSVP cards for the guests to reply quickly with regards to their attendance at the wedding. The wedding invitations will normally go out between four to six weeks prior to the wedding.
Another common practice now is the rehearsal dinner, customarily paid for by the groom's parents. This is the time for all guests from near and far come together with the wedding party before the wedding. Sometimes there is also a bridal luncheon hosted for the bride's attendants, as well as a groom's dinner for the groomsmen. This will of course depend on how much time is available before the wedding.
Although in America, people come from different faiths, many still opt for a traditional religious wedding ceremony. And then there are those who believe that it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. So the groom is only allowed to see the bride while she is coming down the aisle.
For the ceremony, the groom and his groomsmen will enter the church through a side door. The bride will come down the aisle accompanied by her father, stepfather or even both as the case may be. For the reception, the couple and the attendants will sit at the bridal table.
Previously gifts were picked on what the guests thought as useful for the couple. Now it would be more advisable to register with a wedding registry so that guests can pick out gifts that the couple really needs.
As the receiver of gifts, do send a thank you note besides verbally expressing thanks. The normal practice is to send the thank you notes two weeks upon receipt of gift. Be creative and make each note personalized.
The above are just some of the common American practices during weddings. Regardless if a couple decides to follow these practices or to start their own traditions, what's more important is that the couple believes in "for better or for worse, till death do us part."
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