wedding channel post swap

We're happy to present this guide from WeddingChannel.com.

You're close with the bride and groom, so it's probably just fine if you simply text your RSVP, right? And you're so thrilled to be invited that you just can't wait to spread the word to everyone! Sound OK? Think again. Just because you're usually glued to Facebook and Twitter, doesn't mean you should use them to announce your friend's upcoming nuptials. In most circumstances, wedding etiquette is a little more old-fashioned. That means, mailing the RSVP card and containing your excitement solely to conversations with other wedding guests. Read on to find out our top 5 wedding guest digital faux pas — and make sure you don't commit these etiquette crimes yourself.

Don't give a wedding play-by-play.
"Just checked into John and Jane's wedding." "Bride walking down the aisle now." It may be hard to resist, but sharing minute-by-minute details about someone else's wedding on Facebook, Twitter or foursquare is not okay. Let the bride check-in to her own wedding if she wants. And when it comes to the engagement -- make sure you ask the bride whether the happy news is public yet — she might've only told a few friends so far and probably won't appreciate you sharing her engagement news on Facebook instead of her.

Don't be the paparazzi.
Just because you post what you eat every day on Flickr, doesn't mean the bride wants her bachelorette party, bridal shower and wedding seen by the world. According to a WeddingChannel.com poll, 40 percent of brides said posting photos online without permission or even a heads-up was their biggest digital wedding gripe. So ask before posting wedding-related photos and videos, and don't even think about posting unflattering wedding pictures and risque bachelorette party videos.

To see the rest of the rules for formal Twitter etiquette, read more

We're happy to present this guide from WeddingChannel.com.

When budgeting for a wedding, it’s easy to remember the large categories, such as the venue, catering, flowers, cake, and, of course, the dress. However, there are certain things that often get overlooked and can add up to a hefty sum if not planned for properly. Here are some of the most common added expenses that you should be aware of in order to avoid any unwelcome surprises at the end of the night.

Tips
Before you sign any of your vendor contracts, make sure that they specify whether gratuity is included. Vendors who own their own businesses don't expect tips as they've already included everything in their initial negotiations with you. However, when it comes to the reception venue, you should ask the site manager about the policies for tipping the waitstaff, bartenders, and parking valets. Many catering companies already include tips, which they divide up between the workers. If tips aren't included, expect to pay between 15 and 20 percent of the total catering bill. Those who deliver the flowers and the cake should also be tipped between $5 and $10. It's not necessary to tip your officiant, but if he or any other vendor has done an extraordinary job, you can send a note of appreciation and gift certificate later on. Don’t forget to include tips for coat checkers and powder room attendants as well.

To see the rest of the tips, keep reading

We're happy to present this guide from WeddingChannel.com.

We all know it's difficult to maintain a healthy diet at all the parties and showers being thrown in your honor. However, there are ways to attend all of the festivities while still sticking to healthy habits. Here are some tips to help keep your bridal bod toned and trim right up to your wedding day. Good luck!

Eat something.
Who needs will power when you're not hungry? Chow down on healthy choices that will fill you up before you leave the house — it's a lot easier to resist the heavenly spinach artichoke dip if you're not starving. Feel free to enjoy the things that you crave, just do so in moderation and never face the buffet on an empty stomach.

Don't drink your calories.
You may not realize that those pretty, fruity cocktails are packed with sugar and calories. When you're in party mode, try to stick to sparkling water and stay away from soda and juices — they're high in calories and sugar too. If you must drink alcohol, try white-wine spritzers over mixed drinks or beer. And remember, just because a drink claims to be "light" doesn't mean the calories don't add up.

For more helpful tips, keep reading.

We're happy to present this guide from WeddingChannel.com.

Buying a wedding gift might actually be the easiest gift you ever pick out. Why? Because most couples create registries to lead you directly to what they want. With that in mind, here are some wedding gift registry commandments every guest should live by.

Thou Shall Not Skip the Registry
A bride and groom create a wedding registry for a very specific reason: to ensure they get the essential items they need to start their new life together. While you might not find a vacuum cleaner or a blender to be a thoughtful or heartfelt gift, keep in mind it's exactly what the couple wants, so you really can't go wrong by purchasing it.

Thou Shall Not Underspend
Typically, the average person spends about $75 to $100 on a wedding gift. That amount increases in larger cities like New York, LA, Miami, and Boston. Keep that figure in your head while scanning the bride and groom's gift registry. If you find that nothing is left at that price level, it's perfectly acceptable to pool your funds with several friends to purchase a larger item for the couple such as a set of luggage, TV, or grill. If you have committed the gift registry sin of "waiting until the last minute to shop" and everyone else has already spent on a gift, consider buying the couple a gift card to one of the stores they registered at. That way, they can still put it towards one of the items on their registry.

For the rest of rules you shouldn't break, keep reading.

We're happy to present this guide of gadgets to help plan for the big day from WeddingChannel.com.

Amazon's Kindle
You've read all about them; it's finally time you got one yourself. We know it's easy for your purse to quickly reach the weight of a bowling ball when you're constantly tearing out photos from magazines, carrying books, and lugging around wedding ideas with you. So why add one more heavy book to the mix? The newest Kindle from Amazon lets you download books in under 60 seconds and is so thin it could fit right inside your smallest clutch. With over 500,000 books currently available, plus newspapers, magazines, and blogs at your disposable, we promise you won't run out of things to read either. And let's face it — there are some pretty fashionable slipcovers for this gadget as well. Kindle, from $259, Amazon.com.

Electronic Calorie Counter
What's the first thing brides all too often think about after getting engaged? You guessed it: fitting in to that wedding dress. That means hitting the gym and consistently eating right. We know it can be tough to keep track of your calories when you're so busy, which is why an electronic calorie counter is such a great idea. You can look up anything from carbs and fiber to protein and fat, all while keeping a diet diary of everything you eat. You'll be more aware of your choices and probably a bit surprised to find out where those hidden calories can creep up. With the help of this gadget, you'll be in wedding day shape in no time. CalorieSmart handheld calorie counter, $59, Coheso.com.

To see the rest of the must-have list for brides, keep reading.