Each Wednesday, we tackle wedding etiquette. At times, it’s a reader question or one from a colleague, friend or family member and other times we’ll cover a popular issue. (Note: Questions may be edited for clarity and brevity.)
Question: My long-term boyfriend and I just got engaged. Both of our families live out of state, and we plan to have the wedding here in New Orleans. We’re doing a wedding week so out-of-town family can make a vacation of it and so we can spend more time with them before we jet off on our honeymoon. Given the cost of traveling and staying here for the week, as well as the events and gatherings we are planning for them at our expense — which we have the funds for and are happy to be able to do — we’re thinking of skipping the engagement party. We don’t want our families to feel obligated to make two trips. Do we have to have an engagement party?
Answer: It sounds like you have a fun week planned for the families. Also, it’s great that you are assuming the cost of a lot of the activities. While engagement parties are popular, they certainly aren’t required. Feel free to skip it and devote those budget dollars to the main event.
Do you have a solution to share or a wedding etiquette question? EmailMelanie@MyNewOrleans.com.
