AboutBrenda Cascio Expertise As founder and CEO of GraciousBridal.com, I am pleased to offer suggestions for those puzzling situations such as wanting to give personal gifts to bridesmaids that have totally different interests, how to show appreciation to guests on a budget, what small things that can be done to make a huge impact for the ceremony and reception.
Experience At the helm of graciousbridal.com, I am up-to-date on the latest trends. Our products have been featured in the finest wedding and style magazines. I am essentially a consultant to consultants. Because many wedding consultants are a small operation, they don't have access to the vendors, markets and other consultants that we have. Therefore, we use our resources to find those elusive items. Having a party and want to re-create the garden at Tavern-On-The-Green? We provided the marbelized balloons. Are you wanting a garden party with lanterns strung through the trees? We have provided the lanterns with coordinating parasols and hand fans. Want to plan a wedding merging two cultures, I can help navigate you through the potentially sticky situations (now is not the time for a social faux-pas!) It is important to be aware of the various customs in different parts of the country too, and I am more than happy to assist brides, moms and consultants in this.
Education/Credentials Degree in Fine Arts and years of experience in design and marketing prior to becoming involved in the wedding industry.
Expert: Brenda Cascio Date: 7/17/2008 Subject: Divorced Families
Question QUESTION: I am marrying a guy who's parents are divorced and do not exactly get along. I am having issues as far as what to do as far as who should light the smaller candle next to the unity candle as well where i should sit who. Please help me?
sincerely
lauren h.
ANSWER: Hi Lauren,
Have you considered having just the mothers light the unity candle? Though you may have wanted your dad to share in this, it would make an easier situation for the grooms side. There are a couple of choices for seating. Some etiquette experts suggest that the first row seating is for the parent with whom the groom lived with after the divorce (or whom he is closer to). Other's state that it would be the mother, who is joined by her husband, if she is remarried, and then her immediate family. The father would then be in the pew behind her, or in cases where more distance is appropriate a couple of pews back.
Best Regards,
Brenda Cascio,
www.GraciousBridal.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: As far as which mother on his side to light the candle should his stepmother who has raised him since he was six or his mother light the candle?
Answer It would certainly be a nice gesture to have the stepmother who raised him light the candle. Should he feel the need to include his mother, (and I don't know his personal situation)perhaps they could both light it together, or perhaps, he could escort her up the aisle prior to the ceremony as a nice gesture instead of having her light the candle.
Regards,
Brenda,
www.GraciousBridal.com
