By CARLEY RONEY, Scripps Howard News Service
When a wedding guest insists on making a toast
Q: What should I do if a wedding guest insists on making a toast?A: Between the parents, the maid of honor and the best man, the traditional reception toast lineup is already pretty long. But if your guest insists that he or she has something important to say about you as a couple, then defer to the rehearsal dinner.
Wedding stationery that's kinder to your budget
Q: Any budget-friendly options for our wedding stationery?A: While many stationery suites can be costly, several fine stationery companies have developed less expensive lines. Most recently, Crane & Co. released a fresh new line of high-quality, low-cost invitations called Chloe B. These sets can be found in local paper stores and online.
Wedding-day travels
Q: The nearest reception venue from our ceremony site is 30 minutes away. Can we ask our guests to travel the distance?A: A general rule of thumb is to keep travel time to less than 30 minutes between the ceremony and reception. That said, the travel time between venues depends on the area.
What color options work best for fall weddings?
Q: We're having a fall wedding but want to avoid an orange and red color combo. What are some other options that still speak of the season?
A charitable alternative to wedding-guest favors
Q: In lieu of favors, we want to make a donation to our favorite charity in each guest's name. What's the best way to inform our guests that we've done this?
Have your wedding cake and dessert, too
Q: Can we serve dessert and cake at the reception?A: It's your wedding, and if you want to sweeten it a little more with an added dessert course, then go right ahead. There are several ways that you can go about serving cake and dessert, and the only guideline to follow is to make sure that your cake and dessert complement each other flavor-wise.
Topping the cake
Q: What are some alternatives to a traditional cake topper?A: You have several options beyond the traditional bride-and-groom cake topper.
Quick ways to change makeup look for the reception
Q: What are some easy ways to change my makeup look for the reception?A: The easiest and quickest way to change your makeup is to switch your lip color from a sweet neutral shade to a dramatic deep red or plum. If you're not the lipstick-wearing type, add a little gloss to your lips and bright blush to accentuate your cheekbones.
Wearing a veil if you have short hair
Q: I have short hair and want to wear a veil for my ceremony. What are my options?A: Short hair can be tricky, but there are several ways to go.
