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| cumbersome inquiries ladies gets asked – and how to answer them (strategically)… |
When planning your wedding, it’s inevitable people will ask awkward questions from time to time, and, though most people have good intentions they may be unaware that they may be over-stepping the odd boundary.
Whether the questioner is being blatantly rude or simply doesn’t understand etiquette and diplomacy, it’s always wise to be prepared. As the bride, here are some potential responses to help you tackle any awkward questions that will, likely, come your way at some stage during your wedding planning.
Awkward questions brides gets asked…
Q: When’s the big day?
A: “Give me a second, I’ve still got the engagement party to plan first!”
Let’s face it, this is the big question – and you’re going to be asked it pretty much every time you mention you’re getting married, so you may as well address it with a little humour.
Of course, when you’ve been asked a million times by everyone you come across it can become quite tiresome, especially if you’ve only been engaged for a day or two.
While some brides may feel like printing the date on their forehead or employing an assistant to answer on their behalf, the fact is you’re going to have to answer it.
One way to avoid the question even coming up is to post your wedding date in a social media announcement, just be sure that it doesn’t look like an invitation.
Wording like this may be suitable:
– (insert partner’s name) and I are so excited that we are engaged and will be married in July next year!”
– Woohoo! (insert partner’s name) put a ring on it! July wedding here we come!”
Q: Can I bring a plus-one?
A: “Unfortunately (insert partner’s name) and I have already reached our maximum number of guests for the reception and don’t have room for any extra guests.”
Guests who ask this are usually being invited solo for a reason.
Couples may have a strict budget and simply cannot afford to pay for any extra guests or, perhaps, they just aren’t too keen on having people they don’t know at their wedding.
There are two ways to approach the response to this question: you can either explain that you are having a small wedding with just family and close friends in attendance or you can say that you have already reached your maximum amount of guests for the reception and simply do not have room for anyone else.
Q: Am I in the bridal party?
A: “(insert partner’s name) and I have settled on a small bridal party but we can’t wait to celebrate with you on the day!”
The answer to this question really depends on who is asking, although a generic response will work for most everyone.
If the person asking is someone you are not particularly close with then you may explain that you have chosen just close family and friends to be in the bridal party.
If, on the other hand, the person asking lives far away, you can mention that your bridal party have had to have numerous meetings and fittings for their outfits and it would have been unreasonable to ask the person to travel back and forth for necessary appointments.
In saying this, it really is an awkward question for someone to ask any bride, so ultimately you should answer however you see fit – and, well, if they’re going to embarrass you by asking such a brazen question, you have the right to respond equally frankly.
You’re having it in a Church, aren’t you?
“(insert partner’s name) and I haven’t decided yet, but we probably won’t have the ceremony in a church as we’d prefer an outdoor/beach/garden ceremony.”Traditionally, all wedding ceremonies were religious and, therefore, held in a Church or another building of religious significance, but when it comes to getting married, many couples these days opt for outdoor ceremonies or locations other than a church.
So, if you have decided on a non-Church wedding, you will actually fall into the majority category. Regardless, where you hold your wedding ceremony is your own choice – and your choice alone, so your response should simply be the truth, whatever that may be, however, if you do wish to soften the blow, you could say that your wedding planning is still in progress and that the ceremony and reception venues haven’t yet been finalised.