Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine

Wedded Bliss
Anna Post shares a few tips from her new etiquette book
Good etiquette, like good taste, is a funny thing. Everybody thinks they have it. But only one family in America can claim to be the defi nitive authority on the subject. Descendants of the iconic mistress of etiquette Emily Post, they carry on her literary tradition with the recently released Wedding Parties, written by Emily’s great-great-granddaughter, Anna Post. Harriet Kassman hosted an intimate reception and book party for Anna Post at her bridal salon in Mazza Gallerie, and
WL: sat down for a chat about the perfect wedding. WL: What are some of your favorite ways to make a wedding unique?
ANNA POST: One of the best ways is through the invitation. It’s the guests’ fi rst sense of your wedding, so that’s a wonderful place to start. Color and style say so much. The things people can do these days are endless. After that, the party you throw will set a tone and show your style. Are you a wine and cheese party kind of couple, or are you cosmopolitans who enjoy nights out on the town? Your wedding should refl ect who you and your fi ancée genuinely are, together.
WL: What are your top tips to a bride who is just beginning her search for the perfect wedding dress and feels overwhelmed with all
the choices?
ANNA POST: I would suggest starting with your own budget. Once you get that established, before you do anything else, fi nd a friend - somebody you trust who knows your style and will give you the gentle truth when necessary. You don’t need a $10,000 or $20,000 dress. Some brides worry that if they don’t have enough money they won’t get their dream dress…
HARRIET KASSMAN: But they will! WL Do you have any suggestions on how to make a wedding reception feel unique?
ANNA POST: One of the best ways is to have ottomans, chairs, or benches around the edge of the dance fl oor, a little ways away so that there are no incidents! It’s a way for people not to get stuck at their table if they don’t want to dance. It’s a great way to have a great wedding. WL: Any other tips?
ANNA POST: When people arrive at the wedding, immediately have something ready for them to eat and drink. I went to an outdoor wedding two years ago and it was going to be a short ceremony, and waiting for us (it was fall) was champagne and hot cider. Now that’s not going to work at a church, but think about where and when you can serve your guests something. They’ll really appreciate it.
Wedding Parties
By Anna Post
Love every idea for fi ve minutes. What does this mean? Loving every idea for five minutes means giving people a chance to participate by voicing their opinions and allowing these opinions to be considered. For example, if the mother of the bride wants to offer her daughter her own bridal gown to wear down the aisle, allow her the chance to enjoy discussing this idea. The bride may well have her own idea about what dress she wants to wear, but by letting her mother talk out her idea, she’s including her in the process – even if she doesn’t choose to wear her mother’s dress in the end: “Okay, Mom, I’ll consider it. Why don’t I go try it on with you?” This concept is a benevolent way to include others in your decision making process without necessarily having to sacrifi ce your own ideas or vision. And who knows, you might even get a really great suggestion out of it!
Used with permission by Harper Collins.
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