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.