Comprehensive Wedding Checklists (Page 5 of 33) in pdf

Determining Formality for Your Wedding

Written by Kas Winters, Bride's Do-It-Yourself Wedding Planner

Very Formal

A very formal wedding would be more likely to take place in a church, synagogue or prestigious hotel than in a

garden. This is usually for two hundred or more guests and can take place at noon, in the afternoon or after six

o'clock p.m. for an evening wedding. Some characteristics of a very formal wedding would include: engraved

invitations; semi-formal dress for guests with formal attire for the wedding party (including a long train and veil and

full bouquet for the bride); a sit-down dinner or festive buffet; dancing to an orchestra; elaborate decorations

including floral centerpieces; a large wedding party (four to twelve bridesmaids); and formal photography with set-

up shots as well as candids. A very formal wedding is generally the most expensive option available to you.

Formal

The ceremony could be held in a church, synagogue, hotel, a home, garden, or one of the many sites suggested

under site selection such as a historic building or clubhouse. Traditionally, a formal wedding is for one hundred

guests or more. A formal wedding would include: formal invitations; a bridal gown but less formal attire for

attendants; a meal (but perhaps a luncheon or simple buffet); dancing to a band; floral arrangements in a church or

at the head table; a medium-sized wedding party (two to six bridesmaids); and professional photography.

Semi-Formal

Locations for semi-formal wedding can be more varied and a single location for ceremony and reception is more

common for a semi0formal wedding. This style of wedding would include one hundred or fewer guests. Invitations

can be simple, without inserts and return cards; dress is less formal, with the bride perhaps wearing a less

elaborate dress (floor length or shorter); food may be in the form of a simple buffet; dancing to a DJ, simple

decorations, a smaller wedding party (one or two bridesmaids) and mostly candid photography with a few setup

shots.

Casual or Informal

Locations are unlimited. Guests can be limited to family members and very close friends. Invitations could be as

simple as a phone call or personal invitation; dress is casual with the bride wearing a street length dress or suit;

food might be limited to cake with punch or champagne or perhaps cocktails and hors d'oeuvres; entertainment is

optional; decorations are optional; the wedding party may consist of a maid or matron of honor and best man only;

and a personal friend may be responsible for capturing the event with a camera. An informal or casual wedding is

probably the least expensive wedding option.

Check out the possibilities!

Make your wedding uniquely fit the two of you. If none of the above are just right, consider these ideas and keep

on imagining until you are both happy with the plan. It's YOUR wedding, make it as special as the two of you.

Guidelines to formality are not written in stone, and many wedding traditions are challenged regularly. On the other

hand, if a strictly formal by-the-rules wedding is to your liking, the following chart will be a handy guide to keeping

within the standard rules for etiquette.

Casual or

Very Formal

Formal

Semi-Formal

Information

Church, Synagogue,

Church, hotel, home,

Church, home, many

Open

Temple or prestigious hotel

garden or other possibilities

possibilities

Location

200 or more

100 or more

100 or less

Family and close friends

# Guests

Comprehensive Wedding Checklists Page 5

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