Dear Consima Friends,
It might interest you to know that I have a secret passion for weddings. The whole excitement from planning to the execution of the Big Day thrills me. This is regardless of whether I am the one doing the planning, or simply attending as an invited guest; weddings rank amongst my favorite events. The Royal Wedding Plan of Kate Middleton to Prince William had the whole world spellbound, as every detail was scrutinized and shared all over the globe.
A real-life fairytale. It must have sent millions of girls dreaming; even though Kate and William’s story has been one in a million, it has confirmed that dreams can come true indeed. It shouldn’t come as a surprise therefore, that this edition of our newsletter beams its spotlight on one aspect of wedding etiquette! When a couple falls in love and their romance and courtship culminate in a well-planned wedding day, every girl feels like a princess getting married to her prince charming. The question is: Are our modern princes really charming?
From my observation, the developing of the computer age, digitalization and yes, the advent of the cell phone, have marked a steady decline in the understanding of the word ‘chivalry. Today’s brides often have to struggle for attention with their groom’s cell phone or BlackBerry on their wedding day! I have been to several weddings in recent times, where the grooms were sending steady updates on their BBs (even in church!)
On one occasion, the groom almost disrupted the family group photograph, because he was incessantly on the phone. As a matter of fact, he appeared on several of his wedding pictures with his cell phone glued to one ear. It made me wonder who he could possibly have been talking to, when the most important person to him, his bride, was right there beside him.
On another occasion, the groom appeared at his wedding, brandishing no less than three different kinds of cell phones. During the Reception, he briefly handed the phones to his Bestman to enable him hold his bride for the nuptial dance. The Bestman, who obviously felt more than a little encumbered by them, had placed the phones on a nearby table, while briefly attending to some other important matters. By the time he turned around to retrieve them, the phones had disappeared, all three of them, not to be seen again to this day. I couldn’t help but smile, when the story was narrated to me. Served him right (!) was my first and candid reaction.
To guard against such faut pas and pitfalls described above, CONSIMA Protocol and Finishing School can step in to stand in the gap. Indeed, at CONSIMA we handle customized and professional wedding plans and consultation -from your Engagement Party, Stag and Hen Nights (Bachelors Eve and Bridal Showers), Pre-Nuptial Lunches and Parties, right up to the Wedding Day itself; Customary Weddings, Registry and Civil as well as Religious Ceremonies, CONSIMA guarantees you an elegant, memorable event.
My wedding etiquette tip for the grooms in this Newsletter today is just one:
On your wedding day, lock up your cell phones in your drawer or briefcase at home and concentrate on your bride. This incidentally is also a useful tip that can be applied throughout your married life. Don’t let the phone take the place of your bride or compete with your wife for your attention.
Who knows, a bit of chivalry might just creep back into fashion. What is chivalry, I hear you ask? That’s my assignment to you. Look it up in the dictionary and practice it. Practice makes perfect. And who doesn’t want to be a perfect Prince Charming?
Until the next edition, I take a deep bow!