Wedding Q's&A's

Your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life, and you want to get it right. As you've probably realized, there are literally hundreds of minute details to consider, and since you've probably never planned a wedding before, lots of questions come up. Here are some answers to a few of them.

Q: How much time do we have to send out thank-you notes for our wedding gifts?

A: You may have heard you have up to a year after your wedding to send out thank-you's, but that is not true. Proper etiquette requires you send them out within three months. To relieve some of the pressure, be sure to acknowledge immediately any gifts you receive before the wedding day; also, don't hesitate to share this responsibility with your new husband. That way, you can get them done twice as fast!

Q: I've been invited to a friend's bridal shower, but I'm unable to attend. Do I still need to send a gift, and how much should I spend?

A: Yes, you should still send a gift. In fact, although many people gift a shower gift and a wedding gift, the wedding gift is not required--the bridal shower one is. And, deciding what to spend depends on your budget. There is not set rule of thumb for the amount you spend, and no one should feel obligated to spend more than they can. A good alternative to purchasing your own gift is to go to the bride's registry. That way you can browse through the items she's picked out and choose one that's affordable.

Q: How can I get my lip gloss to shine throughout my wedding day?

A: It can definitely be a pain for a busy bride to constantly be worrying about her lips. You may be lucky enough to find a creamy lipstick that also glimmers like a gloss (Have you ever tried Bobbi Brown's creamy lip color or Cosmoholic's liquid lipsticks?). Another option is to layer lip gloss over a matching lipstick. The lipstick serves as a colored primer, making your gloss last much longer.

Q: I'm flat-chested. What can I do to still look great in my gown without making it obvious I have enhanced things?

A: It depends on the style and types of fabrics you are wearing. If your gown is made of heavy fabric and has a corset-style or form-fitting bodice, that may be enough to give you a little lift and fullness up top. Another suggestion is to have your seamstress sew thin, bra pads into the lining of your gown. That way, you can add some shape without disturbing your sleek look. The most important thing is to go with an option you feel most comfortable with so that you are not feeling self-conscious on your wedding day.

Q: I'm not good at chitchat, but I don't want to appear stuck-up or rude. How do I master small talk throughout my wedding day?

A: Try opening with questions like: "What's new with your family?" or "What's been keeping you busy lately?" These starters demand full-sentence answers, so you will mostly have to listen. Since you want to acknowledge as many people as possible, keep in mind you do not need to chat with a person for very long. Saying "Thank you for coming" is always an appropriate and simple way to approach people, especially those you don't know well. As long as you show interest and appreciation to those you mingle with, no one will judge you as being rude or stuck-up.