BRIDES Southern California: Instagram-Worthy L.A. Restaurants for a Dreamy Bridal Shower

Photo: Courtesy of Gracias Madre via Facebook

One of the oh-so-wonderful perks about the wedding planning process is getting to spend some quality time with your besties — beginning at the bridal shower. One of the best ways to celebrate your impending nuptials is with decadent food — and by documenting all the special memories with lots of pictures! Luckily for Los Angeles brides-to-be, the city boasts many restaurants that are not only delicious but extremely photogenic to boot! Check out our favorites for a dreamy, Instagram-worthy wedding shower.

Gracias Madre (Above)
With its exposed brick walls, utterly chic black-and-white patterned bar, and lush greenery throughout, you and your besties will be seriously smitten with the décor of this vegan, all-organic Mexican restaurant in West Hollywood. Indulge in enchiladas, coconut ceviche tostadas, tacos, and lots of chips and guacamole. For dessert, the restaurant serves yummy Mexican wedding cookies, which seem very fitting for a bridal fete. Then toast the occasion with margaritas.



Photo: Courtesy of Nobu Malibu

Nobu Malibu
This beachfront Malibu restaurant abounds with Instagram-worthy ocean views. There's no prettier backdrop for a bridal shower than the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Even the food is picture-perfect — think yellowtail sashimi, black cod miso, mango dulce de leche torte for dessert.



Photo: Courtesy of Commissary

Commissary
Flooded with natural lighting and awash with verdant foliage, this Koreatown restaurant is unlike any other spot in the city. Located at The Line Hotel, the unique space is set in a glorious all-glass greenhouse and serves Pan-Asian fare with a strong focus on vegetables.

See More: For Fantastic Favors to Give Your Guests, Look to These Local L.A. Vendors



Photo: Perch LA via Facebook

Perch LA
This hidden Downtown Los Angeles gem in the sky serves French cuisine and offers a few different spaces to host a bridal soiree including the 15th floor restaurant lounge outfitted in antique-looking furniture, and the 16th floor rooftop offering picturesque views of the city skyline.



Photo: Courtesy of Huntley Hotel

The Penthouse
Perched on the 18th floor rooftop of the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, The Penthouse is bathed in bright whites and neutral hues and evokes a laid-back yet glamorous beachy ambiance that's perfect for a fancy bridal shower. You and your BFFs can look forward to digging into smoked salmon benedict, halibut, pastas, steaks, and chocolate soufflés for dessert. Read real brides' reviews here!

4 Old School Bridal Shower Rules You Can Forget About

Photo: Justin DeMutiis Photography
 

Having a bridal shower is a great excuse to gather together the key women in a bride's life for a pre-wedding celebration. If you're hosting a bridal shower for your daughter, BFF or other engaged lady in your life — or just a bride helping out with the shower itinerary — you might be wondering how much "tradition" you have to stick to with this party of yours. What do you absolutely have to have at this bridal shower?

The answer: Nothing. Nowadays, a bridal shower can truly be whatever the bride and her host want it to be. Perhaps you're keen on having a classic fête with tea and sandwiches served on silver trays, or you're more into a ruckus bottomless mimosa brunch full of good food and tons of laughs, or you want to do something active, like an afternoon of bowling or a paint night. If you're wondering what rules you can forget about, to make the shower less formal, here are six old fashioned guidelines that you can totes throw out the window.

1. Opening Gifts
One of the main events at any bridal shower is when the bride-to-be opens up her gifts. But this can be such a long process and, sometimes, even make guests feel weird, since they may not have spent as much as the person next to them. If you want to leave this classic activity off the agenda, go for it — just let guests know that the bride will open the gifts with her fiancé at home.

2. Playing Games
You (or the bride) might not want to have a bridal shower where guests play games like guessing facts about the bride and her fiancé. We get it. Opt for a fun alternative to those worn out shower games, or just skip the games all together. Just make sure you have some other activity to entertain guests — otherwise you might end up with some impromptu requests for bridal shower bingo.

3. Making It Girls Only
Gone are the days of "no boys allowed" bridal showers. If the bride isn't too thrilled at the prospect of a pre-wedding event without her future hubby, extend an invite to relatives or even your best friends that just so happen to be males.

4. It's for Wedding Guests Only
There are a slew of reasons why this rule can be thrown out the window. The bride might have some friends she wasn't able to invite to the wedding because of a small budget or venue, or she and her fiancé made a blanket rule like "no coworkers" that prevented her from inviting some of her nearest and dearest. Regardless of the reason for their lack of wedding invite, feel free to loop these folks in on the bridal shower guest list — they'll likely be thrilled to have been included, and the bride will still get a chance to celebrate her wedding with them.

5 Wedding Shower Rules That Were Made to Be Broken

Yeah, we said it — forget all those wedding shower “rules”! If a traditional get together just doesn’t suit your style, don’t worry. Here are five guidelines you can totally ignore.

Photo Credit: Charlie Juliet on Inspired By This via Lover.ly

1. Rule: No boys allowed

If this gender norm weirds you out, forget it! Co-ed wedding showers are becoming more common. Just be sure to keep it selective (that is, you don’t need to invite every guest who’s invited to the wedding).

2. Rule: A luncheon is a must

Not really feeling finger foods and tea sandwiches? The truth is, a wedding shower can be any kind of event you want! How about a breakfast bash at your favorite restaurant? Or a pizza party at a bowling alley? Or maybe even a trip to a winery?

3. Rule: You’ve gotta give home goods

Wedding registries have seriously evolved over the years, and shower gifts have gone along for the ride. If you’re hosting, you may consider suggesting a gift theme, like honeymoon must-haves. If you’re a guest, you can look to the registry for ideas or opt for something a little more personal.

4, Rule: Wedding shower games are required

No, traditional shower games are not mandatory. But if you think guests will enjoy an activity, break out some board games or a couple of decks of cards. You might also consider planning the shower around something like ice skating, or painting with wine (a pairing that’s gotten pretty popular).

5. Rule: You need a theme

Remember Lillian’s Paris-themed bridal shower in Bridesmaids? Yeah, that’s definitely not required. While a theme can make it fun to plan the menu and decor, nobody will fault you for skipping it. Just keep the soirée sweet and simple!

How to Avoid Opening Bridal Shower Gifts in Public

Photo by Kay English Photography

Cocktails, couples' trivia and cake—there's nothing like a fabulous bridal shower! So how come every time the moment for gift opening arrives the festivities take an iffy turn? Whether you're a guest on the giving end or the bride on the receiving end, for some reason, this should-be-wonderful part of the shower gets uncomfortable (for all parties involved). There are a few simple reasons for this, and we have expert insight from Jeff Beil, CEO of Tendr (the easy and elegant way to gift money to the to-be-weds), on how to keep your bridal shower stress and tension free when it comes to opening gifts.

Time Vacuum
“Ask 100 people what their favorite part of a party is, and not one of them will say 'watching someone else opening their presents.' At best it's not fun; at worst, it's anxiety producing," Beil says. It eats up a large portion of party time, since the to-be-wed has to open each gift one at a time, pause for “oohs" and “awws" and put on a big display of excitement.
Disengagement Party
It's also natural for individual guests to become disinterested while the bride isn't opening their gift specifically. That adds a lot of tune-out time, depending on the number of attendees. “Unless there's a way to have all of your guests interacting with the bride and each other, individuals will start to feel left out," Beil says.
Gift Misgivings
Another reason some guests dislike this part of the party? Their potential anxiety around gift quality. “Maybe they aren't the best gift giver, or maybe they aren't as financially stable as other guests, and they have to worry about everyone's judgment," Beil says. These money concerns are unfortunate, but inevitable and prevalent, so guests giving more modest presents might not want their offering compared with the more lavish ones in front of the whole group.
Spotlight Stress
As tedious as this process can be for shower attendees, it can also be a bit taxing for the bride-to-be. “She's put on the spot in front of all her guests, opening every present with a smile plastered across her face," Beil says. “It seems that the gift-opening process is something that should be done in private, and not with the whole room waiting for a reaction. Now, we're not saying it's no fun to receive presents—keep 'em coming!—but high expectations for the bride to fawn over every item can take a lot out of her and definitely strain the party mood.

Activity Alternatives
In order to maintain a light, fun atmosphere, include games and activities that let guests interact in a fun, effortless way. This is a particularly great idea if you have many guests who've never met. Some fabulous bridal shower games to try? “A 'Does the bride really know the groom?' questionnaire game, having your guests write creative date night ideas for the soon-to-be newlyweds, bridal shower Scattergories and bridal Jenga," Beil says.
Note Well
Ultimately, no bride wants to appear ungrateful to her guests by neglecting their thoughtful gifts, but it may be in everyone's best interest for her to open them in private. That way, the actual shower can consist purely of fun activities and bonding time. But to ensure that every attendee gets the gratitude they deserve, Beil recommends that the bride-to-be write very personal thank-you notes. “Thank-you cards are often generic. Take the time to write a personalized thank-you for each specific present, including how you'll use it, what it means to you and, of course, how much you appreciated your friend's presence at the party," he says. “This will make your guests feel truly special. Chances are, they'll feel relieved they didn't have to sit through the gift opening!"

BRIDES Southern California: Outdoor Bridal Shower Locations in Los Angeles

Photo: Courtesy of Saddlerock Ranch & Vineyards

It's easy to want to play in the sun when there is beautiful weather most of the year, and in Los Angeles, brides get to do just that — enjoy outdoor weddings and showers year-round. But if you're new to the scene, you'll need to do some research on the best spots to host your soire jump in and have some fun in the sun with these amazing outdoor bridal shower locations!

Saddlerock Ranch & Vineyards
With its natural charm and unforgettable beauty, it's no wonder Saddlerock Ranch has become a popular setting for special occasions. The ranch has four private locations available for rent from their vineyards, gardens, rolling hills, etc. Regardless of which location you decide to pick to celebrate your bridal shower, Saddlerock Ranch boasts amazing views and excellent customer service. This is a special venue and definitely one to consider as you enjoy your road to the big day! Read real brides' reviews here!

Geoffrey's Malibu
Geoffrey's in Malibu opened its doors in 1948 and immediately established itself as the place to go-to spot for many classic legends such as Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. The restaurant was designed to wow its guests — with a panoramic view of the ocean from each table. The restaurant offers garden seating on the beautiful lawn overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean, making it a wonderful spot for a bridal shower brunch, luncheon, or tea party!

See More: Need Help Planning Your Big Day? Let These Los Angeles Planners be Your Wedding Planning Right Hand!

Café Pinot
Located in a garden setting, sitting high on a rooftop, surrounded by high rise buildings in LA is the beautiful Café Pinot. This charming restaurant houses unique event spaces for all types of events. With an outdoor garden patio and the private Skyroom Terrace, it's a perfect locale for the urban bride-to-be, offering a traditional and charming bridal shower interior, with stunning views. Guests can enjoy a delicious brunch overlooking the LA city skyline!
Read real brides' reviews here!

Sunset Marquis
Located in West Hollywood just off the Sunset Strip is the Sunset Marquis, a luxury hotel with a relaxed feel. This spot has served as the backdrop for more than a few legendary soirées and tons of Rock and Roll history. Whatever the scale or style of your shower, the hotel offers elegant-yet-fun options to hold your shower — from an intimate garden gathering to an elegant private affair. The Sunset Marquis is fun and entertaining, and a lively spot place to toast to your future life as a Mrs. with your ladies — with some bottles of champagne, of course.
Studio 1342
This retro spot is the ideal bridal shower location for a boho bride who appreciates vintage with a retro flair. Art deco walls and bold colors adorn the interior, and guests can catch some sun on the Palm Springs-inspired patio!

Couple's Shower Planning Basics

Photo by Paper Antler

 

Why spend your Saturday afternoon yawning over the ribbon bouquet when you can hang with a crowd far more entertaining than Mom's country-club friends? Go ahead and attend those must-attend functions, but think about putting together a party that includes the guys too. Here's the dirt on throwing a Jack & Jill party.

The Idea

A couple shower is closer to a cocktail or dinner party than it is to a bridal shower. Female and male relatives, as well as close friends, are invited. The party still revolves around gifts, but they're presented to both the bride and the groom, and generally they are a mix of home goods and guy-friendly gadgets. The shower can range from an afternoon barbecue at your parents' place to a cocktail party at your favorite restaurant or bar. There are no hard-and-fast rules about planning, though, so do what feels best.

The Guest List

You might want to limit the guest list to the couple's contemporaries who consider girl/boy proximity a given. Steer clear of people who may be offended by a coed shower, but don't neglect loved ones who wouldn't want to miss out on these festivities.

Rethink Tradition

Try cocktails in lieu of tea, barbecue instead of buttered scones. Think about themes:

• Entertainment Shower, where guests dress up as famous characters and bring gifts like videos, CDs, and theater tickets. Assign everyone to perform their favorite movie lines.
• Sports Shower, where you could organize a basketball game, rounds of tennis, Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, or tag football. Chip in for his-and-her in-line skates, tennis rackets, or snorkeling gear.
• Around-the-World Shower, where you serve international cuisine like paella, stir-fried vegetables, or gnocchi, and salivate over gifts such as a pasta maker, a wok, or a fondue pot.
• Beach Shower, where everyone plays paddleball and splashes in the waves. Set up a tent and keep the cooler full of drinks. Gifts could be picnic baskets for two or matching beach towels.
• Pool Party Shower, where you set up relay races and diving-board contests. Cook hamburgers by the pool and give gifts such as portable grills and plastic serving items like trays and martini glasses.
• Games Shower, where you dream up your own version of The Newlywed Game or Jeopardy. Or host a cook off a la Iron Chef. Present the happy couple with stacks of board games or kitchenware.

Make Everyone Feel Comfortable

• Since the rowdiness factor can shoot sky-high when boys are involved, make sure the girls know that the guest list includes folks of both genders. Include this information on the invitation, or call everyone to clue them in to the fact that this won't just be an afternoon of girl talk and lingerie-giving.
• As guests arrive, play a name game so that everyone gets introduced and feels at ease. Have everyone say how they know the couple of honor.
• When playing games, put the girls on one team and the men on the other to keep physical contact among possible strangers at a comfy minimum.

'Bro-Dal Showers' Are Like Bridal Showers For Dudes, Apparently

The wedding and all the other events leading up to it are generally bride-centric affairs. But why should being a guy preclude you from all the fun stuff (assuming you want to be part of it, that is)?
And thus the concept of the "bro-dal" shower was born. It's like a bridal shower, but for guys because "grooms deserve to be celebrated too," says BuzzFeed Life, who recently got the term trending.


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

"More and more guys are deciding against the traditional bachelor party with a stripper and Vegas, and are looking for a more laidback way to celebrate with their friends," BuzzFeed Senior Lifestyle Editor Rachel Wilkerson Miller told The Huffington Post. "And when guys marry other guys, their loved ones often still want to throw them some sort of a party to show their support for the couple."
The BuzzFeed folks threw two separate bro-dal showers for two of their engaged male co-workers, which featured goofy games as well as delicious snacks and drinks.

The first one was lumberjack-themed:

With a chocolate tree stump cake ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

Beer brat sliders ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

Skillet s’mores dip ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

And a beard-decorating game.


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

And the second was Batman-themed: 

With a Gotham-themed table setup ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

Cocktails inspired by different characters ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

Quintessential shower games ...


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life

And a photo booth with props, of course.


Credit: Lauren Zaser/BuzzFeed Life


Whether you think the concept is silly or brilliant, you have to admit the ideas are clever and cute. (And they could just as easily be used for a wedding or any other party, for that matter.) For more inspiration, head over to BuzzFeed Life.

16 Dos and Don’ts of Planning a Bridal Shower

Photo by Braedon Photography

Do take the initiative to plan it.
Don't plan the entire thing yourself.

Whether you're the honor attendant or a family member, it's never a bad idea to get the bridal shower conversation going (and the earlier the better!). But just because you're game to coordinate and lead the charge doesn't mean you have to take it all on yourself. Enlist the other members of the bridal party and even the families of the bride and groom to give input and help out too. The best way to go about it is to get everyone together and ask what each person wants to help with instead of assigning duties. Anyone who is hosting should be included on the invitation as well.

Do organize a theme or group activity.
Don't make the bride uncomfortable.

Having a bridal shower theme or planning out a group activity will make the planning easier, and it's a talking point to bring together college friends and grandparents. But before you start making plans to have a sex toy demonstration or take everyone bungee jumping, ask the bride if there's anything they would be uncomfortable with. If it turns out they're anti-tradition and want to have a get-together that doesn't include the classic games or gifts, then you should respect that and come up with something they'll enjoy -- even if it isn't your thing.

Do pick a date early on.
Don't forget to ask the VIPs for their availability.

Even if you're planning to wait to host the bridal shower until shortly before the wedding, you're going to want to make sure you pick a time when most, if not everyone, can come. Figuring out multiple schedules can be a lot of back and forth, so it's best to start early and pick a date way in advance. Depending on where guests live, they may need to make travel plans, but if most people are local, you have more options. It's possible not everyone will be able to come, but there are at least a few people in the immediate family and the honor attendant who should definitely be there, so their schedules might be the deal breaker.

Do ask the bride for their guest list.
Don't invite anyone who isn't invited to the wedding.

Instead of starting from scratch, you should ask the bride to help out or make suggestions for the guest list. But before you send out invites, just do a quick double-check that everyone who's being invited to the bridal shower will also be invited to the wedding to avoid any hurt feelings.

Do give some guidelines for gifts.
Don't make the gift giving too raunchy.

Come up with a theme for the gift giving that ties in with the party. Share the couple's registry info, but let guests know they don't have to just stick to that if they have something else in mind – the bride might also love off-registry items, like activities for their honeymoon or gear for all of their hiking adventures. Our only advice here: Remind guests that the shower is an all ages affair, and while something tongue-in-cheek, like an artful karma sutra coffee-table book, will probably go over okay, you may want to avoid anything outright naughty, like sex toys and triple X-rated lingerie (save those fun goodies for the bachelorette party!).

Do send shower invitations
Don't go overboard on the paper.

Once you have all the logistics together, you should definitely send out invitations, even if most of the guests have helped out with planning the bridal shower. If a lot of guests are coming from out of town, the earlier you send them, the better—at least two months before if not earlier; if most people are local, four to six weeks should be just fine. That doesn't mean you have to go nuts with the invites -- those cute ready-made cards available at any card store are great. And you can even go paperless for this one with the help of a graphic designer or an evite service.

Do serve something to nibble on.
Don't cater an entire meal (unless you want to!).

Having some type of food is a must, whether it's inspired by breakfast for dinner or a sweets table. Consider catering if you're throwing a large party, but you could even make some of the main dishes and then supplement with catering additions, or have other guests contribute as a potluck. As long as the party doesn't cover all of dinnertime, for example, you don't have to serve a full meal. Light snacks or hors d'oeuvres or a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit and coffee are plenty. Just let guests know on the invite so they're prepared.

Do have a loose schedule.
Don't make it too detailed or strict.

Keep the momentum rolling by having a general idea of what you'll do at the beginning, middle and end of the shower. You may need to enlist the help of some other hosts for the gift-giving portion (you'll need at least two people -- one to bring each gift to the bride and another to write down who gave what). Just because you have a plan doesn't mean you have to control every single second. If The Newlywed Game inspires everyone to share their own hilarious stories, let it roll. But having a plan is helpful in case there's an unexpected lull in the party.

9 Bridal Shower Confessions You’ve Got to Read

By: Ivy Jacobson

 

 

If your upcoming bridal shower is stressing you out, don’t worry — you’re not the only one. After searching Whisper (the addictive app that lets you post anonymous secrets for all to see), we can definitely promise you that you’re among many brides-to-be who are also worried about opening sexy lingerie from their grandmother.


Here are nine of our favorites that you’ve got to read:

8 Fun Bridal Shower Games

The Emily Post Institute's latest book, Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette: 6th Edition, Emily's great-great-granddaughters Anna and Lizzie Post tackle modern-day wedding questions that the original etiquette expert never could've dreamed about, from how to use (wisely) use technology, the rules for same-sex weddings, and much more. Here, the fourth generation of Posts discuss the most common bridal shower games and traditions.

Photo Credit: Day 7 Photography on DIY Bride via Lover.ly

Party games for bridal showers are greeted with groans or giggles. It’s all in good fun, and even if party games aren’t your thing, as the guest of honor, be a good sport and go along with what your hosts have planned. Here are some of the more popular, time-tested traditions and entertainments.

The Ribbon Bouquet
The bridesmaids collect all the ribbons from the bride’s shower presents and gather them into a bouquet for the bride to carry at the wedding rehearsal. (My grandmother remembers doing this at her bridal showers!).

Forbidden Words
Arriving shower guests receive a clothespin or safety pin to attach to her clothing. If a guest mentions any of a list of words having to do with a wedding — church, marriage, bride, groom’s name — another quick-witted guest “steals” her pin. The guest with the most pins at the end of the party wins a prize.

Shower Gift Bingo
Each guest is given a bingo card, printed with a blank 5x5 grid, and a pencil. Guests fill in the blanks with gifts they think the bride will receive at her shower. The middle spot is “free” and of course a guest can fill in her own gift. As the bride opens her gifts, players cross them off the card. The first to have five in a row across, vertically, or diagonally, wins a prize.

What the Bride Said
Put a guest in charge of writing down all the comments the bride makes (shh…don’t tell her!) as she opens her gifts: “Oh, it’s adorable!” “My mom has one of those, and I always wanted one.” “How do you wear this?” After all the gifts are opened, have someone read them aloud (or take turns), telling the bride these are the comments she'll make on her wedding night.

The Bride and Me
Have each guest bring a photo of herself with the bride. Provide a blank album as each guest puts her photo in it, she tells the story behind the photo. A twist on this game is for guests to tell a story about the bride and/or groom, say something from childhood, or share something guests might not know about the bride and her fiancé.

Marriage Recipes
Give guests recipe cards and ask them to write their recipe for a good marriage. The bride reads them aloud and tries to guess who wrote what.

Wedding Pictionary
Divide guests into two teams. Provide a large drawing pad, perhaps on an easel. One person draws while her team tries to guess a wedding-related word or phrase: “honeymoon,” “elope,” “pop the question.” Have prizes for the winning team.

Toilet Tissue Wedding Gown
Divide the group into two teams, and give each team four rolls of toilet tissue. Pick two people, say the mother of the bride and mother of the groom, to be “models.” Using only the tissue, the teams design and then dress the models in a wedding gown. The bride chooses the winning dress. Or forget the contest and just dress the bride.


—Anna Post and Lizzie Post, as seen in Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette: 6th Edition. Published with permission from It Books/HarperColilns Publishers. © 2014 The Emily Post Institute.

Surprise!!!

Yesterday I was at work and my job Surprise me with a Bridal Shower.... So sweet. My boss set it up to call me for a meeting during lunch time (That's when I should have known) but I didn't pick up on it right away. Everyone was so sweet and gave Scott and I some good gifts. Here are a few pictures from the Shower....

What You Can (and Can't) Ask of Your Bridesmaids

Photo Credit: Maria Vicencio

There's been a lot of buzz over an email from a bride to her prospective bridesmaids, where the bride laid out what she expects from her bridal party: buy the dress the bride selects ("everything will be affordable but if you think by affordable its [sic] going to be a $25 Forever 21 dress, then your [sic] going to the wrong wedding"), fly around the country to attend every wedding-related event (engagement party on the East coast, bachelorette party in Vegas, wedding in Vail, CO — "If you don't think you'll be able to attend one party but can make the rest of them I'm sorry but I'll have to take you out as a bridesmaid and put you as a guest."), don't book any plans between February and August after this week ("if your [sic] going away in January I don't care. I want any dates from February to the day of our wedding in August, that way we know not to plan something when your [sic] away. But after this week the dates are set in stone."), and respond to the bride's emails promptly ("if its [sic] something important and it takes you a week even 2-3 days to get back to me seeeee ya! I don't have time to wait around for responses, everyone has their phone on them, it shouldn't take you more than a day to get back to me, even if your [sic] out of the country, check your email!"), among other demands. And if you can't meet these demands, then you're out of the bridal party.


In a way, I can understand her intentions — by clearly laying out her expectations, she can avoid a lot of issues down the road. And if I were a prospective bridesmaid in this wedding, I'd greatly appreciate the easy out. But it's the tone (and the misuse of "your" vs. "you're" — sorry, I'm an editor!) that I find most offensive.


The email has called to question what is truly expected from your bridal party these days. So, we've broken down what you should — and shouldn't — ask of your bridesmaids.


DO: Expect your bridesmaids to attend the wedding (obviously) and the rehearsal.

DON'T: Demand that they attend every wedding gown shopping appointment, vendor appointment, or even every pre-wedding party if they're not held locally.

DO: Take into consideration your bridesmaids schedules before planning the engagement party, and have your maid of honor do the same with the shower and bachelorette party.

DON'T: Kick them out of the bridal party of they can't make it to one event. Seriously.

DO: Feel free to bounce ideas off of your bridesmaids.

DON'T: Forget that your bridesmaids' lives don't revolve around your wedding. Please don't set a deadline for responding.

DO: Rely on your maid of honor to coordinate with the bridal party for their dress fittings, organize the bridal shower and bachelorette party, and help you with preparatory and organizational tasks, like addressing invitations and keeping a record of gifts at the shower.

DON'T: Treat her like your personal assistant — don't inundate her with wedding-related demands at all hours of the day, don't expect her to complete all of the DIY projects you started but can't finish, don't ask her to play referee regarding issues with your future in-laws, and don't make her research and meet with your potential vendors.

DO: Inform your maid of honor of your preferences for the bachelorette party — strippers or no strippers? Vegas bash or a low-key beach weekend?

DON'T: Ignore budget concerns from your bridesmaids. If you're not paying for the trip yourself, then it's not fair to demand an expensive trip.

DO: Ask that your bridesmaids purchase their own attire — whether you choose the dress or allow them to choose their own.

DON'T: Ask that your bridesmaids get spray tans, professional makeup application, manicures, pedicures, and professionally-done updos — unless you're footing the bill.

DO: Be clear up front about your expectations from your bridesmaids.

DON'T: Be surprised if you end up with no bridesmaids after sending an email like this one.

Bottom line: Don't forget why you've asked these girls to be your bridesmaids in the first place. They're your family and/or your closest friends. You chose them because you love them and want them standing up with you as you celebrate the happiest day of your life. If your best friend can't afford a trip to Vegas, does that really make her a crappy friend who doesn't deserve to be a bridesmaid?

—Kristen O'Gorman Klein

Photo of the Week

This Photo of the Week is of Scott and I from my Bridal Shower this past weekend. He was such a trooper that day and help where ever he could. He helped set up, Cheered on Jacelyn at her game and brought her back so she would be there for part of the shower. I tell you he never cease to amaze me with all he does and I am proud to be in his world and soon to be his wife.

Shower, Sunhats and Smiles

Hey my Bridal Buddies... Here is the Weekend recap.

Friday we got some great news from my parents... They are sending Scott and I on a Mini Moon to Sonoma!!!

My Aunt has a time share and graciously have us her points and my parents paid for the rest! Relaxation and Wine for a couple of days.... SO AWESOME! So if anyone has any suggestions of Wineries, Food stops or all things Sonoma/Napa, let me know.

Friday Night my Sissy came by to see my place and hang with Scott and the girls.

Saturday was BRIDAL SHOWER DAY!!

I got up at 5:00 am partly from excitement and I had a 6:00 am hair appointment. I was in the car on the way to the hair shop and Trains "Marry Me" came on my iPod and it made me tear up a little bit.. everything is actually happening and it is not a dream. It brought a smile to my face and I sang along a little too.

Here is a few shots at the hair shop

Before

After

 

After the Hair Shop and Family Breakfast, I took Jacelyn and Xzyria to their first game of the season. They are Midget Cheerleaders this year and got to rock their new uniforms.

 

 

Love these 2..

 

Got them dropped off and it was off to Cameron Bridal Shower!!!

 

My photographer for the day Kris, came out and took over 800 photos!! She was great at it too... Here are a few highlights from the day...

 

 

Beautiful Card from Clarise... Made just like my invitations!!

Set Up

Balloons are a must at a party.. We used them after to make wishes....

 

Gift Basket from Ingrid.

One of my favorite Bible Versus on a gift bag... So sweet.

Tacos!!!

 

The Taco Guys.. So nice and so good!

 

Love the Cards!

 

Centerpieces!

He came out to help, went to be Cheer Dad and made the day go so much smoother... Love you SC!

My BFF!! Love you!

 

Me Thanking the ladies for such a beautiful day and laughing it up with my Sissy....

 

Me and Sissy. This could not have been any better and I am glad she was here to share in it!

The games that got a little bit rowdy...LOL

Team Jascott Divas!

 

Daddy and his girls...

 

Love my Siblings...

 

 

A special moment with my Grandmother.. Brought me to tears...

My 776 Sistas!!

Me and Sheauen. Love her!

Jacelyn came in time for the group picture from her game.. Her team won 31-0! GO PANTHERS!

 

The Cabo Crew + Janet and - TNT... Missed you being there girl!

Brit and Janet!! Hey now!

 

Dad ALWAYS comes and lends a helping hand.

 

Mom and I at the shower.

 

3 the hard way.....

 

My family!

 

The group shot..

 

 

The day was more than I imagined it to be and I was so THANKFUL for each and every person there. It was great to share my day with them and all the laughs as well.

 

I went home Saturday night on a high from a great day! After unpacking all the gifts and finding a place for them.. off to dream land I went.

 

Sunday was family brunch at my Parents house. We all got together to spend time with Tai and laugh as usual.

 

Sunday night Scott was to have a Guys Night but it got cancelled so instead we went to the McClains house for Burrito night and watch one of my Favorite Movies... The Bird Cage.

 

 

If you have never seen this movie, Do it! Its so awesome!

 

 

Here is what is on tap for this week:

 

1. Pick Up my Wedding Dress!!!

2. Check in with the Florist.

3. Hopefully get Cake tasting done soon.

4. Send out Bridal Shower Thank You Cards.

5. Look forward to a 3 day weekend... to get more wedding stuff finalized.

 

61 days to go!!