Dear Miss SOS:
 
My dog is my best friend and is extremely well-trained.. I want him to be the Ring Bearer at my wedding, tying a small pillow with the rings onto his collar. Would this be OK?

Other than Miss SOS suggesting that you might wish to expand your circle of acquaintances and friends, and providing the venue facility has no objections, there is no rule of etiquette that would preclude you from having your dog participate as the Ring Bearer in your wedding ceremony. Indeed, it has been Miss SOS’ observation that many pets are better behaved than other members of the wedding party or wedding guests.

On a practical side note, you might wish to have the Best Man carry the real jewelry in his pocket rather than tying the rings onto the pillow, and don’t forget a plastic bag should there be a need to scoop up.

Dear Miss SOS:

My husband-to-be is in the military and plans on wearing his dress uniform at our ceremony. It’s not a military ceremony but civilian. One of his Groomsmen is also in the military (same branch of service) and he plans on wearing his dress uniform too. Would this be considered proper, even though the rest of the Groomsmen would be in tuxedoes? What about boutonnières?

It is extremely proper for a member of our armed forces to wear their dress uniform, regardless if Groom, Groomsman, or wedding guest, even for a civilian wedding. No boutonnières may be worn with a dress uniform. However, your fiancé and his Groomsman may wish to bring a change of attire for the wedding reception as military protocol does not permit the drinking of alcoholic beverages while in uniform.

Dear Miss SOS:

I wish to have a wedding cake with chocolate icing for my wedding cake. My mother has told me that etiquette would not permit it as it had to be white icing. Is she right?

Sigh. Miss SOS wishes people would stop beginning sentences “etiquette requires…” when the matter involves personal choices. In the Middle Ages, white icing was a sign of wealth, since refined sugar was so scarce. But, in answer to your question, there is no rule of etiquette that states wedding cakes must be iced in all white.

Dear Miss SOS:

My husband and I eloped in getting married. How should I word the announcement so it won’t offend people who were not invited?

Miss SOS extends her heartiest best wishes to you and your husband. You’ll want to share the happy news of the change in your marital status as quickly as possible, especially if family and friends were aware of your engagement and have been waiting for a wedding invitation.

Your announcement should be made in the same manner as a traditional wedding announcement, avoiding the word “elopement”. Depending on who is issuing the announcement (i.e. your parents, you and your husband), you may click on to PrescottWeddings.com Invitation page for examples.

Dear Miss SOS:

I recently met with my florist and couldn’t believe the check-list she showed me of everyone that should be receiving corsages and boutonnières. Do I have to give everyone a flower that was on the list? I’m on a very tight budget. Also, where should corsages be pinned? On the left or right?

Flowers are a beautiful way to honor special family members. Traditionally, corsages are given to the mothers of the Bride and Broom. Though not required, you may also wish to provide a corsage to other honored guests, such as a grandmother, stepmother, sister or aunt.

Corsages should be pinned to the left shoulder or even the waistline of the dress. However, if the garment is made of thin or delicate fabric, the wearer may not want to put a pin through it, in which case she can use the corsage to adorn her purse. Or you can order a wrist corsage or a small nosegay for her to carry instead.

Boutonnières should be given to male members of the family. Those for the fathers of the Bride and Groom should match those of the ushers. And, though not required, you may also want to give boutonnières to grandfathers, stepfathers, brothers and uncles.

Dear Miss SOS:

I wish to make welcome guest baskets for those guests arriving from out-of-town and have them placed in their hotel rooms. What would be some ideas for what I should put in them?

This is a gracious addition to add to the enjoyment for your guests. In addition to a hand-written note thanking them for being present at your joyous event, you could include your region’s special foods (peanuts, cheeses, or fruit), soda, juice, cookies, crackers, chocolate, or candies that they might enjoy to snack upon after their arrival and during their stay.

PrescottWeddings.com FREE e-zine series “Making It Happen” is one of the best tools Miss SOS can recommend. It helps you plan your timeline, provides valuable hints on how to cut the cost and not the dream, lets you know what questions you should be asking, and gives other great information. Subscribe online at www.prescottweddings.com/signup.html.



Have a question? Write Miss SOS at PrescottWeddings@hazellbowman.com