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?
A NNA 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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