A:   Traditionally, parents of the bride and groom were seated with the bride and groom and their attendants at a long head table.  However, that is no longer done in large part because of so many complex family situations.  It is now proper etiquette to have a reserved table for every set of parents, including remarried parents.  These reserved tables are to either side of the head table.  If the head table is elevated the reserved parent tables should be on the floor level.  Each set of parents invite other family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings of the bride and groom, and cousins at their table.

Proper etiquette is more flexible today and allows for the bride and groom to sit with all their attendants, with only their maid of honor and best man, or if their bridal party is small enough the attendants significant others may be invited to sit at the head table.  Another solution is for the bride and groom to sit by themselves at a sweetheart table located near the dance floor and their attendants are free to sit with their significant other wherever they choose.

Q:  My mother and stepfather raised me and I love my stepfather very much.  My father has always been in my life and has provided both emotional and financial support throughout my life.  I am closer to my stepfather than I am to my father.  I would like my stepfather to walk me down the aisle.  Is there another role I can offer my father at the wedding and reception to show him and our guests that I love and respect my father?

A:  I applaud the fact that you know what you want and your concern for doing it correctly.  It is important that your father understand that he should show and express his happiness for you throughout the wedding and reception.  This will show your guests that there are no hard feelings surrounding your decision to have your stepfather walk you down the aisle.  I am sure your father is grateful that you were raised by a stepfather that you feel so much love for.  Ask your father to join your mother and stepfather in the receiving line if you choose to have one.  Save the father/daughter dance for your father which will show all of your guests just how lucky you are to have two very special fathers.

Q:  I am planning to be married this summer and just found out I am pregnant with our first child.  I am due a couple of months prior to our wedding date.  We have reserved our church and our reception venue, had our save the date cards, invitations and thank you notes printed.  It would be very difficult and costly to change our date, so we have decided to go ahead with our original plans.  My best friend wants to host a combination bridal/baby shower for me. Should I ask my best friend to forgo a combination shower for me and ask her to choose either a bridal or baby shower, or is it alright to ask friends to bring two separate gifts to one shower?

A:  I understand that your best friend is trying to do what best friends do by having a bridal and baby shower for you.  However, I do think it would be best to ask your best friend to choose either the bridal or baby shower instead of asking your friends to bring two separate gifts to one shower.  It would be a lot to ask your friends to bring two gifts to one shower.  Your wedding invitation will follow shortly thereafter requiring another gift be purchased for you by many of the same friends.  An alternative to the baby shower may be an invitation by you and your fiancé to your home after the baby is born, but before the wedding for a “meet and greet” party. This way your family and friends will get to meet your new baby and celebrate along with you.  Hope this helps and congratulations to you and your fiancé.