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  • 10 Guests You Meet at Every Wedding

    10 Guests You Meet at Every Wedding

    It’s spring, which means it’s officially wedding season! Once you’ve secured a second job to pay for all the travel, gifts and Rent the Runway dresses, you’re ready to hit the church/hotel/chic-but-rustic backyard fête. Here are the ten people you can definitely expect to find there:

    The Engaged One

    She just got that rock on her finger and she’s proudly showing it off to mutual friends, while he’s nervously glancing around the room thinking about how much this is going to cost.

    Find them: asking the bartenders if this is premium liquor, grabbing the band leader’s card and critiquing the cake.

    The New Couple

    It felt like a good idea at the time: inviting the new bae to party with friends at a wedding, but now–phew, is it getting hot in here?

    Find them: giggling nervously at the vows, avoiding questions about their future like it’s the plague & bar-hopping after the reception.

    The Hot Mess Auntie

    It might start with a slight slur, but the Hot Mess Auntie will spill the family tea, so she’s definitely worth scouting a seat next to. Not to mention she sets the reception standard by double fisting white wines.

    Find her: talking everyone’s ears off about how she’s surprised the groom fiiiiiiiinally settled down and winking at the guitarist.

    The Wannabe Event Organizer

    Whether she’s an event planner or florist by trade or for a hobby, this guest is always there to take charge. Even though she can be a little overreaching, the bride is usually glad to have her.

    Find them: shuffling flower girls to the aisle, buckling the bride’s shoe, instructing the photographer to grab that shot of the separated parents actually getting along.

    The Awkward Co-worker

    Sometimes, in a blissed out state, people find themselves handing out wedding invites at the water cooler. “It’ll be a great time,” they say, until the co-workers realize they don’t know anyone.

    Find them: in the corner sipping champagne ready to leave as soon as the cake is cut.

    The “So Happy for Her” Friend

    There’s always going to be that guest who is, like, soooo happy for the bride or groom. Maybe they just got out of a relationship, maybe they’re painfully single. Either way, their thinly veiled well-wishes are hilarious to watch.

    Find them: pounding shots at the open bar, telling everyone how so-not-jealous they are.

    The Overly Sentimental Friend

    Sobbing Susan and Tearful Ted are a little much. Avoid being a captive audience in the bathroom line if possible.

    Find them: grabbing the mic to give an unplanned toast and giving out inappropriately long hugs.

    The Politician

    Every wedding is really a networking event for this guy or gal. They might as well be wearing an American flag on their suit jacket.

    Find them: shaking hands with every person at the wedding, introducing themselves by full name, and leading the crowd in “Shout!”

    The Single One

    Like the Congressman, but with more flair, the single one also looks at this wedding like an opportunity, but expect them to be scouting the location of the “So Happy For Her” Friend, too.

    Find them: twirling strangers on the dance floor (sniffing out the bridesmaids, chatting up every guest, suggesting places to go out afterward).

    The Sibling

    The sibling is a mixed bag of emotions. Maybe they’re happy, mad, or unsure what they are. But you can bet that they are going to be a good time. After all, they get the fun of a family wedding with much, much less of the stress.

    Find them: lovingly ribbing the bride or groom, wearing sunglasses at night and definitely not bringing a gift.

  • Thank You Note Etiquette

    Thank You Note Etiquette

    Wedding gifts are, like, half the reason you had a wedding. Writing thank you notes though, is the reason why you wish you didn’t have a wedding at all. But whether you got a set of Baccarat crystal wine glasses from Bloomingdales or an unfortunate hand-woven potholder, writing a thank you card is a part of what you signed up for, honey.

    We know what you’re thinking. Snail mail? Handwritten cards? This is where we burst your shortcut loving bubble: no, you can’t just send a kindly worded text.

    Writing a formal note is pretty much the only wedding tradition that everyone agrees should be kept. If you had more than twenty guests at your wedding, though, it can be really, really exhausting. So how do you make sure Polly Potholder feels your gratitude just as much as your fabulous second cousin who bought timeless (and pricey) crystal?

    Easy.

    You make it timely, you make it personal, and you make it specific.

    Don’t Procrastinate

    Unlike a brazilian before your honeymoon, this task shouldn’t be left to the ninth hour. Write notes as you receive gifts (guests are sending them year-round) so you don’t get overwhelmed. Many will send a gift right before your wedding, but more than likely, gifts will come in waves. If they’re not attending, go ahead and get the thank you card out ASAP. It’s just one less thing to worry about! Keep in mind that not many attendees will bring an actual gift to your wedding, so plan for a second wave of gifts right after the big day.

    Write it Out

    Here’s hoping you left room in the budget for stamps and stationery. Yes, thank you notes should be handwritten. No, an email won’t cut it. And don’t expect to sit down and get them all done at once. You’ll be surprised how easily your hand will get cramped and how bad your handwriting can get after the 22nd thank you. Figure out how many you need to get done and divide that number by five. For the next five evenings, throw on your favorite trash TV and get them done bit by bit.

    Bonus: notes give you a chance to inform everyone if you’ve changed your last name or address.

    Make it Personal

    The quickest way to get your note tossed in the trash and quickly forgotten is to just say, “Thank you for your wonderful gift.” This is the lazy person’s way out. Even the person who picked out a registered gift from Amazon and drop-shipped it to your door took 15 minutes out of their day to think of you. Therefore, start with a personal greeting. Thank them for attending your wedding or tell them you missed seeing them.

    Make it Specific

    Next, thank them for their specific gift . Let them know how and when it will be used.

    Bad: Thank you for the wonderful gift.

    Better: The soup tureen is much appreciated.

    Best: I know we’ll use the soup tureen for years to come and can’t wait to break it out next Thanksgiving when you visit.

    Avoid Lying

    “But what if I’m returning the sterling silver ball of string or would rather scoop out my own eyeballs than serve dinner on such hideous plates?” you ask. Your thank you note can be kind without being too descriptive. For instance, you might say, “Thank you so much for your kind gift of dinner plates. Too many of our dinners recently have come out of a pizza box.”

    If it’s a relative that will likely visit and ask where the plates are, you can tell them at a later date that you ended up exchanging them for very similar plates that better match your linens (or something bougie like that).

    Divy Up the Responsibilities

    If your spouse has decent penmanship, ask him or her to write some thank you notes as well. There’s no reason for it to fall on one person. It’s even better if you each write notes for the presents that you particularly enjoy. Your spouse doesn’t feel passionate about new flatware, but may be stoked about new towels. Not able or willing to give up the writing portion? Have your beloved stuff the pile of envelopes, address, stamp, and mail them.

    Fixing a Faux Pas

    A year after your wedding, you pull out a set of nested colanders and think (after a few four letter words), I never thanked the firm’s partner for these. Simply give the gift giver a call and apologize for the oversight. Then send a thank you note that same day. Lucky for you, you can always blame it on being busy. Everyone is willing to give newlyweds the benefit of the doubt on account of you being so cute, blissfully happy and a little bit clueless.

  • Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas

    Budget-Friendly Date Night Ideas

    The wedding set you back financially. Like, waaaay back. You’re grateful for the amazing memories, but you’re also staring down a long road paved with Ramen noodles and duct tape. All you want is to continue doing fun things together, however, there’s just one problem: the typical eye roll-inducing date nights always seem to come at a hefty price: the meal, the wine, the show, the Uber. What’s more, when you think of cheap ideas, all you come up with is finishing thank you notes over Mich Ultras.

    Put. the. stationery. down! We’ve got some budget-friendly date night ideas that will put the FUN in UNDERFUNDED.

    Go Karaoke

    There’s nothing that bonds two people like mutual fear. Put on your brave pants and go belt out a tune at a local watering hole. Even if you’re terrible, you’ll have tons of laughs. Bonus points for couples that sing duets like “Islands in the Stream” or “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

    Putt-putt or go-kart racing

    Bring out the inner child in you and your spouse with a little friendly competition. Try putt-putt golf or go-kart racing. Smack talk always encouraged.

    At-home blind wine tasting

    If you’re half of a wine-loving pair, try a blind wine tasting. Buy various cheap bottles and cover the labels. Pick your favorites and make bets on which is the most expensive. Bonus: you can serve your favorite bottles at your next get-together without breaking the bank.

    Thrifting

    If you’ve moved in or are looking for some special pieces for a specific room, go thrifting! Hit up some consignment or antique stores, as well as the local Salvation Army and look for one-of-a-kind finds. Bonus: offload your spouse’s wookie figurine collection under the guise of charity. What?! It’s two birds with one stone.

    Cook a meal together

    With meal delivery services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron, there’s no stressful shopping, measuring or unused ingredients. Even the novice chef can execute a beautiful meal that Gordon Ramsay would approve. Plus, it’s a great bonding experience.

    Drop-in exercise class

    We know that being snuggled on the couch sounds better, but endorphins are a great way to connect. Try a community yoga class (sometimes they’re donation-only) or check out a fitness studio that offers the first class free before you have to commit.

    Netflix Roulette

    C’mon, you can’t really lose when watching Netflix anymore. Choose a category like “Recommended” or “Netflix Originals,” close your eyes and scroll. Whatever you land on is what you watch! Who knows, you may stumble upon your new favorite show. May the odds be ever in your favor.

    Volunteering together

    Like J.Lo’s love, volunteering don’t cost a thing. Sign up to do some manual labor like landscaping if it’s nice weather. If it’s colder, apply to volunteer at a children’s hospital, a political call center or animal shelter. Giving back will not only make a difference, but it will make you and your partner feel great.

  • Unconventional First Anniversary Gifts

    Unconventional First Anniversary Gifts

    Congrats! You’ve survived your first year of marriage. One year down and many more to go – that’s something to celebrate. Now the only question is what can you do that doesn’t involve spending time in a stuffy restaurant with tiny (but Instagrammable) courses. While we’d all love to be on a two week African safari, that’s not always realistic.

    Infuse some fun into your celebration each year with these unconventional gift ideas (and don’t worry, we’ll let you take all the credit):

    Forgot the “Gift”

    You just got a ton of gifts for your wedding (and the returns have finally finished). Instead of giving your partner something that will take up much-needed space, what about creating a memory together? Pick up concert tickets, get a little buzzed and dance the night away to your favorite band. Why not go to  your local museums and/or art galleries? Be a tourist in your own town! Have a shared love of spots? Splurge on courtside/ring-side/mid-field seats so good you can almost wipe the sweat of your favorite player’s brow.

    Create a Date Night Jar

    This jar is there to combat all the times you’ve both said, “I don’t know; what do you want to do?” For your anniversary, write down a bunch of corny and fun date night ideas and toss them all in a jar. When you’re not sure what to do, grab a piece of paper and do what the paper says. Some ideas might include: putt-putt golf, karaoke, wine tasting, visiting the place you first met, catching a local sports match, going bowling or having a 90s movie marathon. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving all year. Bonus: it keeps the tradition of giving paper for the first anniversary gift!

    Learn Something New

    You’ve talked about venturing to Mexico, France, China, and a dozen other places for the longest time. Why not try to learn some new phrases in these languages? You can sign up for a local class that you and your spouse can attend or, for homebodies, purchase Rosetta Stone (plus, you can do it straight from the couch). Learning a new language is much easier when you have someone to practice with. The first phrase you might want to learn? “Let’s get out of here.” It’ll be super useful–from late night bar excursions to future family get-togethers.

    Relive The Big Day

    If you and your partner are the romantic types, there’s nothing better than reliving the day you said “I do.” Visit the physical place and have a picnic or, if that’s not an option, watch your wedding video, drink the same champagne you served at your reception, recreate the first dance and (if you believe in this tradition) enjoy some bites of your leftover, frozen cake. If just reading this is making you nauseated, you’ll love #5.

    Create a Tradition

    The last thing you want to do is make your anniversary feel like a chore. Creating an unfussy tradition could be the perfect answer (and saves you from scrambling to make a new plan each year). Maybe your anniversary tradition is hot wings and beer at your favorite watering hole, going for a hike, exchanging love letters or simply cooking a meal together. Whatever it is, create it together and make sure it’s something you can do no matter what stage of life you’re in (i.e. maybe not running a marathon for your 60th).