In short, drinking adds to the general merriment of weddings, not to mention a few funny moments. But what happens when funny moments progress into not-so-funny, drunken embarrassments? Other than clubbing your guests and your groom on their caveman heads, you can only watch in frustration, right?

Well, actually no. Since prevention is always better than the cure, you can always take the necessary steps to ensure that booze does not ruin your dream wedding.

#1 Cash Bar

With a cash bar, you will be hitting two birds with one stone. First, you can save on wedding reception costs because your guests will pay for their own drinks. You need not worry too much about the booze budget. Second, your guests might limit their own alcohol intake since they have to pay for them. No freebies, no overindulgence. Either way, you can have a win-win solution to the drinking provided.

But (there are always buts in a wedding, as you well know by now) you have to prepare yourself for either of two things. First, you will be seen as a Scrooge-type cheapskate who will not indulge her guests on her wedding day with some good old drinking. Second, your guests might leave early to seek merrier company elsewhere. Then again, is it such a bad thing to save your checkbook wallet from excessive use in these recessionary times and to be rid of guests as soon as possible?

#2 Limited Bar Hours and Selections

If you are reluctant to make your guests pay at your own wedding reception, you can always opt to limit the number of hours the bar is open and/or limit the number of booze selections available. Either way, you can satisfy your guests’ need to drink and be merry while you can save on costs and chagrin.

You can do these in so many ways like: a) Have the master of ceremonies announce when the bar is open for drinks. Either you can have it open for short intervals throughout the reception or just at the beginning of the reception for a longer period; b) Stick to the basics of wine and beer. This way, you can control how much alcohol flows from the bar to the bodies; c) Provide for a specific number of wine/beer bottles per table and stick to the plan.

In all these methods to control drinking at your wedding, just be sure that your guests will not have to pay for the traditional wedding toasts of champagne. Now that would be extreme Stooge!

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Social stigma for a 2nd wedding is getting to be more tolerable as people are realizing that life is too short to be stuck on what others think. Couples are making up their own rules about what they want and for a 2nd wedding this is no different.

Before Making Plans For a 2nd Wedding
One of the greatest concerns when organizing your 2nd wedding is the effect that it will have on any children you may have had previously. They should probably be told first about your intentions. You should be sensitive to their feelings and exercise some common courtesy for them since you will be merging two families together anyway. Don’t forget, this is not their choice to make. You are imposing this on them. They should be the first to know of your decision to get married and plan a 2nd wedding.

Next, you should inform your parents and your previous partner, if you were married before and if you have joint custody of the children. Your previous partner should have the chance to assure the children that he will still reamin a part of their lives and that will not alter.

Planning the Wedding
When you start your 2nd wedding plans, you must get rid of any past relationships or love interest. To avoid any confusion, Do not invite former in-laws, ex-husbands, or ex-boyfriends even if you are on good terms. They may become a bit sad and make the occasion a little awkward for you.

Most couples do pay for a 2nd wedding so make sure you prepare a budget, discuss what you expect from each other. When it comes to inviting people to the wedding, be sure to discuss it first. You don’t want any surprises to ruin your special day. You have a second chance to make this wedding different from the first. Not many people get that chance. So you don’t want to be fussing over a guest list before you tie the knot.

Other articles
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These articles will help you choose the right person to be your master of ceremonies for the reception. And it will help that person prepare properly for their duties.

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Wedding etiquette dictates that guests officially invited to the wedding ceremony and reception are required to send a gift, regardless they attend or not. However, those invited but live very far and have not been in close contact with the couple for several years have the option not to follow the tradition.

A guest requested to attend a shower should present a gift but does not have to if he/she cannot attend the event. A close family member of friend will likely send something despite not attending.

Engagement gifts are never compulsory but have started to become a requirement in some parts of the world. A guest who is not sure whether or not to present a gift to an engagement party may consult the hosts for guidance.

Ideal wedding gifts can range from expensive china, gift certificates, camping equipment, gardening tools and household appliances. Choosing a gift should be an enjoyable activity except for those “shopping-challenged”. The gift registry is very helpful in determining what to give the couple. Starting to become popular is the move of couples registering gifts with two or more retail stores, online shops or even brokerage houses and travel agents. Registry information is informally spread to guests and should not be inserted in a wedding invitation.

Putting a gift registry in an invitation is major turnoff for guests, as it will give more focus on the gift and less on the thought of inviting to the wedding. The guest’s should have the choice whether to give a gift. Sometimes the most memorable and sentimental gifts are those carefully picked surprises.

Normally, should be delivered to the bride’s home before the wedding addressed to her. Gifts sent after the wedding should be addressed to the couple’s new home or the house of the bride’s parents. Some cultures require the gift to be brought to the wedding home instead of sending it ahead of the ceremony.

Guests may send the gifts immediately after they receive the invitation. Doing this gift giving practice will spare the couple from worrying about how to transport huge packages coming from the reception site.

Proper etiquette dictates that the couple should immediately write a thank-you note to the sender upon receiving the wedding gift and before the fourth month after the wedding at the most.

FAQ’s on proper wedding etiquette on gift giving

When does the gift should be sent?

The gift for the bride should be given before the wedding or shortly after the couple. If the gift cannot be sent anytime soon, it must be sent before three months after the ceremony. This goes against hearsay that it can be sent even shortly before the first year anniversary of the newlyweds.

Are the gift options limited to those listed in the registry?

No, a registry only serves as a guide for the gift giver. Any wedding gift will as long as it comes from the heart.

Is there an ideal budget for a wedding gift?

The budget is entirely up to the gift giver. One’s love for the bride and groom should serve as the basis on how much a gift should cost.

Is money an appropriate gift?

Money is the traditional gift in some cultures. Giving a gift certificate to their favorite store is a nice option if you are comfortable giving cash.

What if I did not receive a thank you note from the bride and groom?

While it is an awkward thing to do, the best move is by calling the bride and groom and asking if they have received your wedding gift. If the gift came from a store, call your contact salesperson and verify if your purchase was delivered on time and to the right recipients. Become concerned only if the thank you note does not arrive within three months after the wedding.

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The following is a list of gift etiquette you should take into consideration as you receive gifts.

• Never mention gifts, not even a gift registry on an invitation to the wedding.
• Publicize your gifts registries through the local paper, on your wedding shower and tea invitations and through word of mouth.
• There is no polite way to ask for cash gifts, however this can be done by word of mouth.
• All gifts should be returned if the wedding is cancelled or your marriage annulled before living together as a married couple.
• It is customary to remit a thank you note for all gifts received.

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A huge area of concern is who pays. The groom and his family typically pay for the following:

• Rehearsal Dinner
• Bride’s Bouquet
• Mother’s Corsages
• Boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, and ushers
• Marriage License
• Officiate Fee
• Groom’s Cake
• Gloves/Ties/Ascots for Attendants
• Father of Groom Formal Wear
• The Limousine Services
• Honeymoon Arrangements

On the other hand, the bride and or the bride’s family is responsible for the following:

• Wedding gown, headdress, and accessories
• Groom’s wedding band
• Wedding gift for the groom
• Bridesmaids gifts
• Bridesmaids bouquets
• Grandmother’s corsages
• Ceremony/Reception Flowers
• All rented items for wedding
• All rented items for the reception
• Invitations/ Announcements
• Musician/Soloists
• Janitor
• Reception Hall fees
• Caterer or other professional services
• Wedding programs
• Napkins and other printer materials
• Medical fees for bride
• Church or location fee
• Wedding Photography
• Videographer
• Orchestra/Band/DJ
• Wedding cake
• Wedding favors
• Rice bags
• Bridesmaids luncheon
• Father of the bride formal wear

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