Hi Jayne,

I was originally planning to get married in October, with the whole shebang - 150 people, all out sit-down dinner, drinking, dancing reception. But for multiple reasons (school, work, money, STRESS!!!) we decided to back it up to June and make it a "family only" ceremony and dinner. We would like to have an "after" party but I need some advice on how to do this.

Firstly, what is the appropriate timeframe? Should it be within a certain period of time after the ceremony? I actually thought to maintain the October date and just have the party then, as several people we already aware of the date, but I dont know if 4 months is too long to wait. Also - how do we word the invites? Would it be PC to send our wedding photo announcing the marriage and inviting the guest to the party at the same time? As in - we tied the knot, now please come celebrate with us?

And my A-#1 most important question - would I be violating some sacrament if I wore my dress again? Since we are not having a DJ and dancing at the ceremony/dinner, but we will at the party, I would like to be "announced" and have that dance, hopefully in my wedding dress if that is not too tacky.

Help?
~Twice as nice

Dear Jayne,

My parents and my sister arriving a week before the wedding and are staying with me and my fiancée in our 2 bedroom home.

My other sister will be arriving 3 days before the wedding and will also be staying with us. Should my fiancée and I pack up and stay with friends, stay at the house in our bedroom or give up our bedroom to my parents then camp out with my siblings?

Help?
~ Full House

Special Report ~ Losing weight for your wedding

Many brides have written me in the past asking about weight loss. It's a hot issue, to say the least. Who doesn't want to look the hottest they possibly can in their wedding dress?

There are also a lot of weight loss tips and articles out there, and frankly, I've found most of them to be a bit fluffy. But then Gail Young, the co-founder of The Bridal Chalet, sent me this great weight loss article. I think it's practical and one you can start putting into action asap.

Let me know if it helps, you guys. Send me before and after photos if you have success!

Dear Jayne,

I have a friend that I have grown up with and when I told her I was getting married she was very excited for me. I told her she wouldn't be in the bridal party because she likes to take things over. I have tried to include her in things like going to look for dresses and such because she is my friend and I don't want her to feel bad.

Well when I picked her up one day she informed me that she purchased a strand of pearls for me to wear on my wedding day. Well I don't even like pearls and I hadn't even bought my dress yet. I don't know how to tell her that I won't be wearing the pearls. I feel like a bad friend because I already told her she isn't in my party and now I won't be wearing her pearls that she purchased for me and then she has already written a speech to say at my wedding and we are not having speeches. (My wedding is still 6 months away and she is still trying to plan it.) and trying to control all the plans.

I feel bad telling her anything because I don't want to offend her. What should I do. How can I tell her that I won't be wearing the pearls. And do you think there is a place - out of the way- that I can find to include her in the wedding somehow?

Signed,
Pearl-fectly Guilty

Dear Jayne,

I have a HUGE problem. I'm Lebanese, I live in Green Bay, WI. There is little to no Lebanese population here.

So of course there are no Arabic/Lebanese food restaurants around here. I'm originally from Dearborn, Michigan and there it is the complete opposite! My fiance and I would like Lebanese cuisine at our reception. I've looked everywhere and the closest thing I could find is in Milwaukee. (And the food isn't too great- it's more Greek then anything.)

Can you get your hands on any web sites that would be helpful?

Please help me!
Amanda

Hi Jayne,

Any suggestion for alternative seating for a beach wedding? The ceremony will be very short and sweet, do we need to have chairs for all if our guests? Or can we just do chairs for family and adults with small children?

Thanks, Vicki

Dear Jayne,

I have a BIG problem. I asked my friend to be my maid of honor even before I was engaged (during a drunken party). When I got engaged the only right thing to do was to keep my word.

The closer we get to my wedding date I think that was the worst decision I made. She hasn't been there for me at all and has been complaining about everything. I feel that MOH should be there for the bride to shop for dresses, go to bridal shows and help out with those little things. I don't expect anyone to kiss my butt. My bridesmaids are nothing but angels sent from heaven. The have been on top of things, trying on dresses, doing research online and listen to me complaining about little stuff.

I already tried to give my MOH one little project to see how she would do with it. She did nothing about i! I feel like she expects me to cater for her, and the wedding is nothing but big chore for her. How do I tell her that I want her to step down, and let one of my bridesmaids to be MOH?

Please help,
Karolina

Hello,

I am getting married in May, 2006. My dress is made of satin and is a champagne/light mocha color. I was wondering what color veil I should wear. Thank you!

~ Sarah

Hi Jayne,

I loooooove flowers, especially dried ones. If I could figure out how to incorporate dried flowers into my summer wedding decor, I would. But for now I wanted to ask the best way to keep my bridal bouquet around after the wedding. I am going to have someone preserve them for me, but I don't yet have my flowers picked out. I love all kinds, so I was thinking of keeping ones that dry particularly well on the top of my list. Suggestions?

~Terry

Dear Jayne,

So I have a situation. My fiance and I are living in a small apartment where we have everything we need. We would like to put a card that says something along the lines of... "Due to limited space, money is greatly appreciated." How could we word it so it isn't too tacky? Because we seriously have everything and have no room to store extra stuff!!! Please help me out!

~Joy

Dear Jayne,

We both have very large families. Some of our first cousins are in the wedding and a few of them are children. The children that are in the wedding and will be at the reception as well. Here is my problem. We are paying for our wedding with little to no help from our parents. How do I get away with having only the kids who are in the wedding come to the reception for dinner. Especially since we really wanted to have an adult-only reception?

My mom said it might hurt some family member's feelings if they can not have their children attend. But it is $25 a head! And kids don't even eat that much. Please help me! I just know if I let one person bring kids then everyone will be bring them.

~ Monica