Ask Angela 

Ask Angela is a weekly question and answer feature designed to assist local brides in planning their weddings. Each week we will choose three questions from brides that have contacted us, and feature them on our website. If you would like to submit a question for "ask angela", please send us an email to "angela@exquisiteevent.com".

Dear Angela:

My birth mother and my step mother will both be attending my wedding, and they don't really get along. How can I help ensure that they both have a good time, even though the other is present?
                                                                                                                  -Rachael S.

Dear  Rachael:

Your birth mother should take priority and be seated in front of your step mother at the ceremony. If she is not remarried, you might ask a favorite aunt or friend of the family to sit next to her in the seat that would have been occupied by your father. Also, it is a good idea to have divorced parents host separate tables of their friends at the reception. The important thing to remember is that they both love you and wish you the best in this new chapter of your life.

Dear Angela:

I have a lot of friends and they all want to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. I am up to ten now and feel that its too many. I'm also concerned because my guy only has 8 groomsmen to stand up for him. What should I do?
                                                                                                                 -Marianna R. 

Dear Marianna:

Ten is a lot of bridesmaids for any wedding, and you can feel proud to have so many friends. We like to see no more than about 6 attendants on each side, just because it is easier to work with smaller numbers in orchestrating the rehearsal and ceremony. Also, sometimes an altar or ceremony site is small and everyone may not fit around the couple. A good idea is to have your sisters and very best friends as your bridesmaids, but get the other four involved in acting as event hostesses, passing out party favors, or presiding over the guest book. Also, don't worry if your attendant numbers are uneven, because one groomsman can escort two ladies, or you can have the girls and guys walk in and out in a single file. 

Dear Angela:

I've been married before, and I have a four year old daughter. How can I involve  her in my ceremony? I really don't want to use her as a flower girl.
                                                                                                                -Allison J.

Dear Allison:

If your daughter likes jewelry, you can purchase a new necklace or bracelet for her with her initials on it, along with those of you and your groom. If he is adopting her, you would put her new initials on it. The officiant can tailor your ceremony to include a special presentation by you and your groom to your daughter and be sure to have the photographer take a picture of the three of you (you, your daughter, and your groom) for the wedding album.

                   Do you have a question for "Ask Angela"? If so, please send us an email to:   

                                                          "angela@exquisiteevent.com"!!!