Ask a Savvy Bride

Wedding etiquette can be tricky. If you have a dilemma like the one below, be sure to ask our Savvy Bride for help in the Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy Bride,

My long-term boyfriend and I just broke up, and to save you the back story, I've found myself in a weird predicament. We have plans to attend one of my girlfriend's wedding in Mexico in less than a month. Obviously, he will no longer be accompanying me, but I don't want to go alone. Since the wedding is just days away, I'm sure his attendance has already been accounted for so do you think it would be OK for me to ask the bride if I can bring another date? I've already paid for a king room and an extra plane ticket and I really don't want all that to go to waste. I'd hate to put her in an awkward position, but it's a destination wedding to a romantic vacation spot and having to go alone is already giving me anxiety. Help!

Suddenly Solo Sadie

To see the Savvy Bride's advice, read more.

Wedding planning and etiquette can be tricky, which is why I called on a savvy bride planning her own wedding to share special Wedding Season advice here on SavvySugar. Her series, Ask a Savvy Bride, tackles wedding dos and don'ts from a bride's perspective. Here's a peek at her answers to your pressing registry and tradition dilemmas.

Our Wedding List Is Breaking the Bank!	How Should I Share Where We're Registered?	My Fiancé Doesn't Want Me to Register!
Should I Spend More on a Honeymoon Registry?	We Can't Afford to Buy From Their Registry!	How Should I Choose the Traditions to Keep?

Ask anything budget-, etiquette-, or planning-related — well, almost anything — by posting your questions in the Ask Savvy group, and I'll find the right expert to help you out.

Your special wedding season Ask Savvy questions will be answered by SavvySugar and a very savvy bride. Submit your questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

I just got engaged to the love of my life and I'm ecstatic! My ring is blinging and I adore it. It's everything I've ever hoped for and I never want to take it off. My best friend is hounding me to get ring insurance, but I'm worried about the cost because I don't have any extra funds. My fiancé saved up for a long time for the ring, and though I don't know how much he spent, he's admitted he wiped his savings. Can I wait a while until we have more cushion cash to get ring insurance, or should I get it now no matter the cost?

Best,
Blinging-but-budgeted-to-be

See what the savvy bride has to say about this after the jump.

Starting a life as husband and wife is an exhilarating time — the celebrating, the planning, and of course the gifts! But what if you and your fiancé are on different pages? Check out the answer in this special wedding season Ask Savvy question, which will be answered by SavvySugar and a very savvy bride. Submit your questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

I am newly engaged and thrilled to start the planning process. My Maid of Honor has generously offered to throw us an engagement party to kick off the celebration and I'm beyond excited to register for gifts. Unfortunately, my fiancé quickly threw a wrench in the equation — he doesn't think we need to register! In his mind, we have everything that we need and thinks it's ridiculous to ask people to spend money on us. As someone who has "always been a bridesmaid, never the bride," I've been looking forward to having my time in the spotlight and picking out each and every wedding gift with care — there are still certain things we are missing in order to start our life together as husband and wife. How can I convince him that we're not being greedy by registering for wedding gifts?

I Want My Registry Regina

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

Have you ever been asked to pay for an expensive bridesmaid dress that you just couldn't afford? If so, offer up your advice to Becky who's stuck in the same predicament. And if you have any questions of your own, ask them in the Ask Savvy group!

Dear Savvy,

I'm a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding this Summer and I'm honored and thrilled that she asked me to stand up for her on her special day. She's in full planning mode and has finally decided on the bridesmaid dresses, which is out of this world expensive. I know anything that revolves around the word "wedding" jacks up the price, but $400 seems a bit excessive. I am not in a place where I can afford to spend that much on a dress, not to mention all the other things I'll have to pay for (shower gifts, wedding gifts, shoes, etc.). What should I do?
Broke Becky

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

Attending a wedding and all the festivities that lead up to the big day can stir up many etiquette questions. Check out this question below, answered by a very savvy bride, and weigh in with your two cents. You can also submit your questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

I'm a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding this Summer. Her engagement party was last month (where I brought a nice gift off her registry) and I just received invitations for two bridal showers as well as a lingerie party during her bachelorette. Without sounding cheap, is it necessary for me, who will be attending all of the events, to bring a gift for every occasion?

Economical Elise

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

If you need an outsider's perspective on a wedding dilemma, be sure to submit your questions to the Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

I'm pretty much the most traditional bride you'll ever meet. My fiancé and I have followed old customs all the way through our planning process, but when I mentioned wedding gifts for each other, he looked at me like I was a mad woman! I was under the impression that we would exchange gifts while each other got ready, like most brides and grooms do, but he thinks it's not necessary to spend any more money on each other — he feels that the wedding rings and honeymoon should be more than enough. I know this comes off as greedy, but in all honesty I'll be disappointed to break tradition. Is there a way for me to change his mind or do I have to just accept his decision?
Bummed out Beth

To see the Savvy Bride's advice, read more

Have you ever been asked to attend a bachelorette party that is out of your price range? If so, offer up your advice to soonerviola who's stuck in the same predicament. And if you have any questions of your own, ask them in the Ask Savvy group!

I am being asked to participate in my sister-in-law-to-be's bachelorette party. Her maid of honor has planned the entire night which has a price tag at this point of over $200 for the night plus paying for the bride. I was not invited to participate in the wedding at all so I am a guest at my only sibling's wedding. Is there a way that I can just say no? I don't want to participate and I do not have the funds to pay over $200 in one night. What is a legitimate, polite way to say that I won't be coming?

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

As carefree and fun as they should be, wedding-related parties can produce some sticky finance conundrums. I received a question from SurferGurl that I figure most brides-to-be have wondered and asked our savvy bride contributor to share her take. You can submit your questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

Is there a tactful way for the bride to tell the Maid of Honor or friends she's happy to cover her own bachelorette costs?

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.

In an ideal world, brides wouldn't have to worry about money when planning their wedding. Since that isn't a reality for most of us, it's important to be a savvy bride if you want to incorporate all the traditions you've been dreaming of. Check out the advice below. You can also submit your questions in our Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

I know traditions are meant to be broken, but I consider myself one of the most traditional brides out there — I want everything from a champagne toast to fireworks for our farewell. We're on a tight budget so I know I can't have it all, but how on earth do I pick one custom over another? Help!

Where to Skimp Wendy

To see what a savvy bride has to say about this, keep reading after the jump.