Put a Ring On It!

When getting married, we enroll in dance classes for our first dance, dinner etiquette classes for our first dinner as husband and wife, but the thought of having the proper etiquette for our engagement rings hardly (if ever) crosses our mind. What is the proper etiquette on engagement rings? Which finger and hand does the ring go on? Who to pays for groom's ring?

Question: Should my fiance wear an engagement ring also?
Answer: Your future husband-to-be does not have to wear an engagement ring, but some people do opt to wear one. If he choose to wear one be mindful that some conservative people will assume that he is already married (not to you, but someone else). So it is your decision on whether he wears one or not.

Questions: Which ring goes first, and on which hand does it go on?
Answer: A question that is always asked and many times answered incorrectly, traditionally speaking, your wedding band is to be worn closest to your heart. This means that your wedding band is to be put on first and then your engagement ring. Your wedding and engagement rings are to be worn on your left ring finger.

Question: What do I do with my engagement ring during the ceremony?
Answer: There really isn’t a right or wrong with this question, some brides chose to wear their engagement ring on their right finger and then place it on their wedding finger once the band has been placed by the groom; some chose to give it to their husband-to-be so he can place it on her finger at the ceremony after the wedding band has been placed; and some chose to leave it on their finger and rotate the position of the engagement and the wedding band after the ceremony. So this question is up to you and your beau!

Question: Who pays for his wedding band?
Answer: Traditionally the bride-to-be pays for the groom's wedding band, unless he has a family ring that is going to be given to him by a member of his family (a family heirloom). But in today’s modern age several couples opt to purchase both rings together.

"WE" Are Coming to Your Wedding?!

Often times we hear couples that opt not to have children at their semi-formal or formal weddings. Family and friends travel from out of town with their children to attend your wedding. In this case, what are you to do?

Let's answer this point by point.
First of all, it's against the rules of etiquette to word an invitation to exclude children, but etiquette has provided us with a logical and non-offensive solution to the problem. If you don't want to invite children, you don't include their names when addressing your invitations. People receiving invitations that exclude their children's names should take the hint that the children are not invited.

Second, you must spread the word through the grapevine that children are off limits. For those friends and family who live out of town, who have no choice but to bring their children, the solution is simple. Supply a baby-sitting service (or a couple of babysitters) at the home of families and/or friends. Tell your guests that they can drop the children off before the ceremony starts and pick them up after the reception ends. Get lots of fun games and movies for the children, order pizza, and let them have as good a time at their party as your guests are having at your reception.

The fact is that children become easily tired and bored at weddings. Children at weddings can't always be counted on to behave. Babies cry during the wedding ceremony and young children fidget and ask questions. Think of how the bride and groom might feel as they're reciting their vows while a baby is crying in the background. Ever wonder why they cry so much? Is it because they're busting at the seams with happiness? No, it's because they're miserable. And the same applies to children at receptions. In many cases parents can control their children, but what about those who can't or won't?

Whether or not children belong at a wedding ultimately depends on the Happy Couple. As a guest it is up to you to respect their wishes. Understand that if your children are not invited it is in no way an offense to you and your children. Instead try and see the bride and groom’s perspective.

Happy Memorial Day!

In remembrance of those who have lost their lives defending liberty.

Who's Invited?!

It can be a very hard task when trying to decide who to invite on your big day. Well Luxurious Affairs has found an easier way to work on your guest list, which is by adding names in order of importance.

When in doubt, leave it out! Remember this is YOUR day and YOUR debt.

List 1:
· The bridal party
· Clergy/officiant (and spouse, if applicable)
· Parents and grandparents, step relatives, brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, and first cousins

List 2: (Please notice that everything on this list begins with close)
· Close family friends of the bride and groom
· Close friends of the bride and groom
· Close business associates of the bride and groom
· Close business associates of the families

List 3:
· Extras: Extended relatives and other people that did not make the prior lists

*Additional Rule: Only invite people that you will be inviting to your wedding to share in your engagement party and/or bridal shower.

Get out and experience the world of weddings!

Before you head out, we have a few tips for making your experience one that is worthwhile.

Tip #1: Wear comfortable shoes to the show since you will be doing a lot of walking and standing in place.

Tip #2: If you go to the show right when it opens, head to the back of the room so that you can avoid the line of people chatting with the vendors in the front.

Tip #3: There are many contests to enter for free giveaways or discounts, so make it easy to enter by bringing adhesive address labels or make your own that include your Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address and Wedding Date.

Tip #4: You will usually receive a lot of wedding magazines, flyers, cds, etc. So make sure that you have a sturdy bag to carry everything. Often you will receive a large shopping bag at the entrance, but you don't want to rely on that.

Tip #5: Collect as much information as you can from the vendors to take home and review.


Upcoming Shows in the Orlando Area:

It is that time of year again!

4th Annual Brides Against Breast Cancer
Bride Admission $40 * Guest Admission $10
Dates/Times:
Thursday, March 12, 6-9:30pm Friday, March 13, 12-8pm (Free Admission)
Saturday, March 14, 10am-6pm (Free Admission)
*Space is Limited, Reserve Your VIP Tickets Here Today http://www.eventbrite.com/event/273904255
Fairwinds Alumni Centerat the University of Central Florida

A Bridal Show to Remember
Date/Time: Sunday, March 15, 2009
12:30PM - 4 PM
Price: $7.00
Location: The Rosen Centre
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

New Year = New You!

Days before the New Year, millions of people begin to think of what their New Years resolutions will be. By New Year’s Day, the list of resolutions are shared with family, friends, and sometimes just kept as a personal mental note. This list may contain various things i.e. quit smoking, budget, time management, become a better person overall, and most common of them all is to lose weight. Oh and not to leave out the singles ladies, we know their ultimate resolution is to find a man! The list could go on and on, but oftentimes the resolutions are more focused around lifestyle or behaviors.

During the month of January, gym memberships are a hot commodity. The girls team up and head out to the gym to get their work out on but only to go out and eat at Chili’s afterwards...LOL By February, things are back to normal the same as they were in the year before. The reason for this is simple. Many of the resolutions that were made for the New Year around dieting or exercising are falling by the wayside, and the same can be said for countless other goals defined on New Year's Day.

Why is it that people fail with their resolutions for the coming year? What are they doing wrong? Well, one of the primary reasons that these resolutions are not kept is that they are made half-heartedly. People feel they are supposed to make a list of things to change, yet are they really ready to make those changes?

Any goal that is set without a real determination to reach it will more than likely not be met. The key to setting your goals for the New Year, or any other time, is to make them realistic. Below are some guidelines for accomplishing this task:

1. Do not set more than three goals at any given time

2. Remember that baby steps may be necessary

3. Be sincere

4. Share your resolutions with a trustworthy person

5. Do not give up easily

In conclusion, New Year's resolutions do not have to be fleeting thoughts or failed daydreams. Spend a bit of time defining a limited number of goals for the New Year. Devise a plan for reaching them. Tell someone. And, be patient but persistent to move toward reaching that goal.

It will be worth it, and free up space for other resolutions next year.

Happy New Year to you and yours from the staff of Luxurious Affairs, LLC!