The Gracious Bride

Short engagements and high expectations will stretch even the most gracious bride to the breaking point. The best way to demonstrate graciousness is to expect stressful situations and plan accordingly.

1. She is Forgiving and Forbearing

Prepare for people problems. Planning a wedding means dealing with people and people mean problems.

 

Understand that offences and errors will come. Exploding does not fix anything and usually requires clean up. Problems happen for a reason and may even cause a better result.

 

2. She has Seasoned Speech

Practice gracious replies for negative comments, compliments, and dealing with problems before they arise.

 

Practice graciousness when speaking about sizing. This is a sensitive issue whether coming from a large or small person. Comments about a dress making you look fat when you are wearing a size 8 can sound prideful to others.

 

It's best to use general comments when you dislike a style on you as in "this isn't the style I was looking for" or "I don't care for the fullness." These are less offense and shows respect of other's feelings.

 

3. She is Discreet



Keep private matters private. Wedding planning involves close contact and communication discovering sensitive issues about someone. Not everything needs to be shared with others.

 

Learn to read peoples expressions and reactions. If you see someone is uncomfortable with a wedding decision be sensitive of their needs or beliefs.

 

Control yourself in uncomfortable situations. Don't make a scene this only draws more attention to what you are uncomfortable about. Use your practiced reply.

 

4. She is Genuinely Kind and Considerate

Humbleness is not discounting the compliments of others. That only discredits their opinion.

 

Be aware of all of the people in your presence. Acknowledge everyone that you can especially if the event is to honor you.

 

Learn to graciously say NO to overly helpful people and unnecessary offers. People that care about you can show their excitement by wanting to help not thinking that you may have plans for that area. Thank them for their offer and tell what area you could use some help so they can feel useful.

 

Treat family kindly. Stress can cause us to take our frustrations out on those closest to us. When the wedding is over you are still family and you don't want to have resentment over wedding plans.

 

5. She Fears the Lord

"Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 30:31

 

Do you have a reverential fear of God? When it all comes down to it true graciousness comes from within, it really can't be faked. People know if you are genuinely gracious.

 

As a Christian bride you represent the church of the living God. Graciousness is a typical characteristic of the church; wouldn't you say?

 

Keep in mind your Heavenly Father knows the desires of your heart and ordains all circumstances you will deal with because all things are for our good and His glory. Prepare to represent your faith in the best possible form, because this day really isn't all about you. It's about creating a God ordained family. 

 

Happy Planning,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to use this article? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Owner of Simply Elegant, Dana Ellison publishes "Fancy That" a monthly e-zine. Get your FR*EE modest brides shopping guide: "What Every MODEST Bride MUST Know to Turn Wedding Gown Shopping into a Delightful Experience" at www.simplyelegantforyou.com . Get updates, ideas and sneak peaks on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/simplyelegantforyou



How To Navigate the Buffet Table

So you recently received a wedding invitation and you promptly returned the RSVP card as all guests should. You may have decided what to wear and made your weekend plans but are you familiar with the proper etiquette for a buffet reception?

Our friends from At The Heels Weddings & Events  recently shared a wonderful article by Heather Guthrie on buffet etiquette that I thought you would like to read.

Have you ever noticed how your otherwise well adjusted friends, family and colleagues go crazy at the sight of a buffet table? There is something about beautifully displayed food and a line full of hungry peers that makes people go a little nuts and brings out the worst in certain...click to continue reading

Happy Planning, Dana

Essential Wedding Invitiation Etiquette

When your guests receive an invitation to your wedding, they receive an impression of your preparation. The invitation conveys the style, tone, formality and details to your upcoming event. They also represent your personal sense of style. As always, it is important to remember when formatting them that consideration for your guests is a primary concern. By using proper etiquette you show respect for your guests and in turn can expect the same in prompt responses and gracious gifts. So what are the do's and don'ts?

Do's:

• Do allow plenty of time. Plan enough time in your schedule to carefully address, assemble and mail your invitations.
• Do get organized. Develop a system for addressing and mailing your invitations. Prepare by gathering names and addresses of everyone on your guest list.
• Arrange each piece that goes into the invitation in a stack, in the order it will be picked up, assembled and inserted into the envelope.
• Do ask for help. Invite friends, family and bridal attendants to help assemble invitations.
• Do use the name of all guests when possible. It is much warmer and more welcoming to use the correct names of those who will accompany your guests on invitations instead of "and guest."
• Do use correct titles. It's flattering when invitations are addressed correctly. This means using appropriate titles and spelling names correctly.When in doubt ask before addressing.

Don'ts:

• Don't forget to include any appropriate inserts. This would include maps, directions or hotel information for out of town guests.
• Don't include registry or gift information with your invitation. It is in poor taste to insert a list of places where the bride and groom are registered or a checklist of things they want and don't want.
• Don't use a standby guestlist. When possible invite your entire guest list at the same time rather than waiting to see how many people accept before sending out the second round of invitations. When the guest list is carefully planned and when you consider the likelihood that 10-20 percent of invited guests typically send regrets this approach is much more straight forward than using a  stand by list.
• Don't address invitations with labels. Always address wedding invitations by hand, even when inviting hundreds of guests.

Were these helpful tips? Do you have some suggestions to add? Post your comments below. 

Tips were taken from emilypost.com