Happy Pumpkin Wednesday-Welcome to Wedding Season!

Hi all! I hope everyone has had a nice week and has been able to keep out of harm's way with all the storms throughout the country.  Even from last week's post, yet another tornado has devastated an entire town.  Please keep the people in Joplin, Missouri in your thoughts and check out this site to see a list of links and ways you can help victims recover from the storm.

With all this crazy weather, it's hard to believe that summer unofficially starts with Memorial Weekend.  And of course, for everyone, summer=highest intensity wedding season.  This year, Tim and I have three weddings to go (compare that with last year's six) and I am looking forward to all of them!

While Pumpkin is always ready and dressed in formal attire (so convenient to be a tuxedo cat), she isn't often included on the invitations to most weddings....

Always ready to receive an invitation to a black tie wedding

Nonetheless, she has some sage advice for all of those who plan to be a guest at a wedding this summer.

Lindsay made me wear this scarf to make it look like a wedding veil.  I am not amused.

A few wedding do's and don'ts

1. Do make sure you are properly attired for the occasion.  Be sure to check your invitation for any special dress requirements, i.e. Black Tie, which for women means a floor length dress or your dressiest cocktail dress.  If you're attending a wedding in a church/temple, it's never a bad idea to bring a shawl or sweater to cover up your shoulders.  If everyone seems very casual you can wear your sleeveless dress in comfort, but it's nice to make sure you are dressed in a manner that is respectful of the house of worship you are in.  Also remember, an evening wedding is always more formal than a day time wedding.  
2. Don't get too stressed about how much you are spending on the gift. There are lots of rules of etiquette specifying how much you should spend, but many of these rules are not necessarily in sync with the current economic climate.  If you are stretched on your budget, there is no shame in breaking with tradition and spending less than whatever "the knot" has suggested.  The more time you spend picking out a personal gift that suits the happy couple, the less anyone will be concerned about price.
3. Do enjoy a few drinks, and do keep it in control.  Everyone likes to have a good time at a wedding, there is no doubt about that!  But make sure to keep yourself in control until at least the initial wedding hoopla like the procession and speeches are over.  A special note for bridesmaids/groomsmen, you are wearing the same outfit as several other people and are very likely to stick out of the crowd, so keep yourself together the best you can :)
4. Do be friendly and introduce yourself.  If you don't know the bride/groom's parents, it's perfectly fine to introduce yourself and tell them how you know their son/daughter.  It is equally nice to tell them what a fine wedding and party you are attending and how nice their son/daughter looked today. 
5. Do remember to have fun!  There is nothing the bride/groom who invited you wants to see more than you out and about dancing and enjoying yourself!
6. Don't think you are Pippa.  Ladies, don't wear white.  Just don't do it.  It's just easier (and more fun) to pick another color! 

Most importantly remember you are a guest, and be gracious.  Your friend/friends/family has invited you to spend this special time with them, so put a smile on your face and make sure to try all the flavors of wedding cake!

-How many weddings are you going to this summer?

Looking forward to a long weekend and fun time at Jordan's wedding!