Terri writes:

Are you the type of person who likes to shout her good news from the mountaintops? Nowadays that mountaintop usually comes in the form of the status update, comment box, Tweet field or group page on your social networking site of choice. Although you might like to share good news when it comes to job offers or scoring that fab pair of shoes, it can cause trouble when your news is about your wedding. Here, the do’s and don’ts of social networking to help you avoid any pre-wedding blunders.

DO inform family members about your engagement before posting it on Facebook.

We call this rule number one in wedding netiquette! Once you’ve told your nearest and dearest in person or via phone, there’s no harm in posting pictures of the ring or even the actual proposal to share your excitement.

DON’T ask friends to be in the wedding party through Facebook.

An invitation to join your bridal party is a statement of how much you value a friend or family member. Rather than take away from what should be a memorable moment, give your gal pal a call. Or better yet, invite her to lunch or for drinks to pop the big question. “We are losing touch with face-to-face communication,” says etiquette expert Aimee Symington. “Being a bridesmaid is such a meaningful thing. Talk to your friends in person so that you share the moment and experience.”

DO make status updates requesting opinions about wedding colors, themes or other ideas.

There is nothing wrong with asking for inspiration, says Jes Gordon, a New York City wedding planner. It may even make wedding planning more fun. However, she advises brides to know when to draw the line. “It’s fine to send out a Tweet asking if Tiffany Blue is better than baby blue,” she says. “Don’t ask what you should include in your vows. That’s taking it too far.”

DON’T post pictures of bridesmaid dresses unless you truly don’t mind the opinions of nosy strangers.

Posting shots of bridal attire is tempting fate. According to Gordon, doing so means opening yourself to lots of unwanted “feedback.” Who needs that?

DO consider creating a wedding webpage as well as a page for the bridal party only.

On the wedding page you can include all sorts of useful information for your guests, such as directions, etc. On the bridal party page, include pictures, ideas, updates, schedules—whatever your attendants will need to discuss among themselves. The page should allow for the bridal party to communicate with each other.

DO look through friends’ wedding photo albums on Facebook for real-life inspiration.

And have your fiancé join you! It’s fun to do this together, and if he hasn’t been too interested in wedding planning until now, seeing photos of his friends’ weddings just might intrigue him enough to become more involved.

DON’T make a Facebook status directing friends to your wedding registry.

We know you’re craving that state-of-the-art kitchen gear listed on your registry, but posting a link to it on your profile may come off as tacky and childish. “Though it might sound efficient, I’m afraid it gives the appearance of soliciting gifts,” said Yifat Oren, a wedding planner in New York City. “Just remember that if someone wants to send you a gift, they’ll figure out where you’re registered.”

DON’T use Facebook to invite guests to the wedding.

Most people ignore invites sent via social networking sites—which is surely the last thing you want to have happen. And with so many amazing choices of invitations available at affordable price points, it makes sense to go the traditional route. However, for your save-the-dates or rehearsal dinner invitations, it’s certainly acceptable to send a convenient group message to select people on Facebook.

DON’T Tweet for honeymoon ideas before you and your fiancé have discussed your options together. 

Sure, it’s fun to get friends’ input, but again you should know when to draw the line. Sending a Tweet to 500 followers to ask for dinner and activity suggestions for your first night as a married couple is immature. Plus, you can start to feel somewhat overwhelmed with other people’s suggestions, which after all are based on their tastes. “There is nothing wrong with asking other people whether or not Jamaica is a good place for a vacation,” says Gordon. “Tweeting for things to do during your honeymoon is carrying it too far.” And don’t even think about announcing the dates that you’ll be gone. Why should everyone know when your house will be empty?

DO refrain from putting a wedding ticker on your profile.

Of course, you’re wildly excited and counting down the minutes till your wedding day, but not everybody else in the world is. Putting a ticker on Facebook or constantly updating your status may not only be annoying, but hurtful to those on your friend list whom you haven’t invited.

THE “DO” LIST

• Do utilize LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to locate reliable wedding vendors and deals in your area.

• Check out the profiles of wedding planners on LinkedIn for references, and scope out the group pages of wedding pros in your area.

• Consider following your favorite wedding pros or venues on Facebook or Twitter for company updates and deals exclusive to their social networking pals.

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Choosing your Wedding Officiant:

Planning your ceremony means choosing the right person to work with the two of you. Consider these things:

• How was your first contact? Did he/she answer your email or phone call quickly and professionally?
• Were you given the option to meet with the person who will be officiating the ceremony?
• Do you feel comfortable and can you talk with this officiant easily? Do you feel heard?
• Does the ceremony process feel easy?
• Was the officiant  willing to honour your desire for any additions you would like to include in the ceremony. And if a rehearsal is important to you will he/she be willing to oversee it? You need to feel confident that you will get the ceremony you want.
• Is he/she ordained and licensed to marry in your province?
• What will he/she wear? If your tradition is seeing your officiant/minister in a robe, ask if he/she has one?Similarly if you do not want robes, do you have that option?
• Will the officiant provide you with a contract or receipts? Thinking about the contract, remember to bring all of the important facts to your meeting: the venue, address of the venue and the time of the ceremony. Often the officiant has planned his/her schedule around the time and location of your ceremony before your first meeting. Also if changes are made contact your officiant and discuss the changes formally. Do not assume he/she is available if you move your venue or change the hour of your ceremony.

Whether you and your fiance are still looking for an officiant this bridal season or the next, may you find exactly the right person to lead you in your vows and care for your ceremony…and enjoy this next adventure of your lives as a married couple!

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We provide every couple the opportunity to meet the officiant who is available for their Wedding Day, as well the choice of male or female officiant. We give you planning tools to be the author of your own ceremony. Choose from many readings, vows and ring exchanges as well as extras such as Hand Ceremonies, Wine Ceremonies or Sand Ceremonies. We also provide resources for Blended Family Ceremonies.

For those who are planning a destination wedding we can perform a simple ceremony and care for the legalties here at home, either before or after.

So whether you want to be the author of your ceremony, have a simple wedding in our Wedding Room or desire the legalization of your destination wedding here in Ontario, call us at 289.208.7747.

White Orchid Wedding Ceremonies serving Toronto to Niagara.

…..as unique as the two of you!

www.whiteorchidweddingceremonies.com

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For those who would like an elopement or “we just want to get married” ceremony, we will be open with longer hours during the month of December.  You may have a religious or non-denominational ceremony. You may bring your own vows. Photos are welcome.

Our fee is $195.00 for the ceremony and the room for up to 6 people. Our Fireside room holds up to 10 people. Witnesses can be provided for an additional $25.00 each.

Contact us by phone at 905.407.9676 or email us through this website to reserve your date.

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We also want to thank all the venues and vendors we worked with throughout the year.

You are the best group of professionals in the wedding industry!

Thank you  for another great year!

Garry and Anne Blinch

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