When A Bride and Groom Make an Unusual Request by Miss Know It All

Miss Know It All 

I came across an article and thought I had heard everything. I have attended many weddings in my heyday and I must say, not one couple solicited the type of gift they wanted. In fact, most of the couples did not have a gift registry. You just purchased a practical gift that the couple would need when setting up the house, namely bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom add-ons. Moreover, if you were clueless as to what the couple really needed, you would give cash or a gift certificate. I know I am dating myself. Today it is a gift card. Nevertheless, that was then, and this is now where wedding traditions have become informal and will vary according to the couple’s culture, ethnicity or religion.

 

A bride and groom sparked a heated debate on social media after asking wedding guests to pay for their honeymoon instead of buying them a gift. I started to wonder if this was a trend among couples.  Many, many years ago, it would have been unthinkable or tacky for a bride and groom to ask prospective wedding guests to pay for their honeymoon. On the other hand, maybe I have been living under a rock too long.

 

 

One guest shared her dilemma in an Australian Facebook group, after receiving an invitation to both the bridal shower and wedding. However, she was left confused after the couple asked guests to contribute to their honeymoon fund by transferring the money through an app after they opted out of having a gift registry.

 

 

I must admit that I would never contribute to the bride and groom’s honeymoon. If a couple cannot afford to pay for their own honeymoon, then they should not go or plan it for another time. In addition, if the couple was living together, there is nothing new under the sun for them to discover about each other. I realize planning a wedding can be expensive, but you have to know what you can afford and not put that burden on your guests, especially if you are having several events that require gift-giving, namely an engagement party, a bridal shower, wedding rehearsal, and wedding reception. I have even read where couples are asking guests to pay for their own meals at the reception.

 

 

I decided to ask some of my associates on social media what they thought. Some of the answers were edited for clarity:

 

Whatever money I would have put towards the gift, I would give to them.

I am happy to contribute cash.

The bride and Groom should pay for their own wedding. They pay for their own divorces.

I would be happy to contribute cash instead of a present. It is less work for me.

Only if I can afford it. If not, I would contribute the money I can afford towards their honeymoon.

I would give what I can.

Depending on whom it is.

I am fine with a vacation registry.

If I could I would give cash/gift cards over shopping - every time.

Find the cheapest hotel room in town and give them the paper to the day they get married.

I went to a wedding where you paid for your plate upfront.

Say, "Thanks but that does not work for me."

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Would you contribute to a couple's honeymoon fund? Send your answers to info@oneworldsinglesblog.net and in the subject line write “Honeymoon Fund Answer.” We will post your comments in the near future. Please keep your answer to fewer than 25 words. Thank you.

How to know If You Are Financially Ready to Get Married by Miss Know It All

Miss Know It All

I don’t know if some couples are trying to keep up with the Joneses or if it is instant gratification when it comes to spending money you don’t have on a wedding, especially if you are already in debt.

There seems to a trend where couples are asking parents, relatives, friends, and even strangers to pay for their wedding. Traditionally, depending on the culture, the bride’s parents were responsible for footing the bill. Nowadays, there seems to be a shift in who is actually going to pay for the ceremony. In many cases the bride and groom will pay for their own wedding or the parents of the couple will contribute what they can afford.

You will know right from the start if you can afford to have an elaborate wedding. If you and your partner have disposable income, then go ahead and plan that extravagant affair.

But if you have to do the following to plan your wedding, then you should think long and hard before making that commitment, considering fifty percent of marriages end in divorce:

·       Taking out loans to pay for your wedding.

·       Going on a crowd-funding page and asking strangers to pay for your ceremony.

·       Asking your quests to cover expenses for your reception.

·       Requesting money in lieu of gifts.

·       Refinancing a home or using credit cards.

According to Money Inc., 2019, the average wedding costs $33,931. But this will depend on your budget, the location, the number of guests, and the add-ons you want to include.

Of course, you can plan a nice wedding on a shoe-string budget. Go here to find out how. 

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Luxury Yacht SOLARIS Receives Best Wedding Venue Award

SunQuest Cruises’ SOLARIS luxury yacht was voted the 2013 Best Wedding Venue by readers of Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast Magazine. This is the third consecutive year to receive this prestigious honor.

With the experience of hosting hundreds of weddings, it’s all hands on deck on the SOLARIS with professional staff efficiently handling every detail for the bride-to-be, from planning through implementation. At no additional cost, SunQuest Cruises provides an event planner, to work with the bride, or with the bride’s event planner; a food and beverage director; on-board chefs and servers. The ship’s Captain can officiate the ceremony to marry the bride and groom on the sky deck overlooking the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay during a scenic cruise.

Docked in the picturesque Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the SOLARIS is an impressive 125 foot, 3-deck, 5,200 square foot luxury yacht in operation since 2004. Presenting rich mahogany interior features, a full service bar, private bridal suite, sweeping views and friendly staff, a wedding experience aboard the SOLARIS is the ultimate experience for the bride and groom, as well as their family and guests. SunQuest Cruises offers a variety of rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception options that can accommodate any budget with up to 150 guests.

SunQuest Cruises offers public dinner dance cruises year round, is available by reservation to host special events, weddings, private parties, receptions and corporate events. For further information, visit www.SunQuestCruises.com, their Facebook page, or call (850) 650-2519.

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