I feel a need to post an update here today, but I don’t know what to chat about. Hmm.

Let’s see…the florist is coming over to our house tonight to show us a sample centerpiece she’s creating for us, so we’re sure of the design, and we’ll know if we need to add or remove anything for the final product. I can’t wait to see it! I’ll take pictures of it for sure, and will share them when I can.

Next week is when I get to go to California for the shower my twin is throwing for me there. We’ve had a few interesting replies regarding the party from people that don’t really know me, though. One person called my twin and asked her who I was, since the invitation to the shower just mentioned my name and not Jesse’s of course, I guess there was some confusion. (I would have hoped that the Save the Dates we sent would have helped with that, but apparently they didn’t in some cases!) Another person sent a reply via mail and told my twin that she wouldn’t be able to make it to her daughter's shower, which is probably a good thing since my sister has two daughters that are under the age of 12 at this point. I’d worry about her if she was trying to marry them off already…:D

It’s been fun, though. Although the whole process has left us wondering about how it is people don’t know how to deal with the RSVP requirement to a formal party. This is something I’ve been hearing about for a while, due to my message board contact with other brides on wedding websites, and the like, and I’ve been getting prepared accordingly, but it’s still amazing to me that people don’t know they should RSVP to a party more than a week or two weeks in advance of it! Headcount is important to certain parties, particularly when being held at a location like a restaurant, and I guess I just don’t understand why people assume that we know they won’t be attending if they simply don’t reply at all. It’s not something to feel bad about, by any means…not everyone’s schedule allows for attendance at every event they’re invited to, of course. No excuses are necessary…no explanations are needed. Just a simple email or phone call stating that they won’t be able to make it is all that need happen.

And the people that just show up without warning that they’re coming (via a proper RSVP, I mean…), well, that’s just plain rude. I’m sorry…I don’t know if people are gonna think bad things about me saying this, but you simply should not show up at a party without giving some notice to the host/hostess. A barbecue, or a relaxed gathering at someone’s home…ok then. That’s understandable. But a formal get together like a shower of any kind, or a wedding, or something like that? It’s just not fair to the host/hostess who planned the party!

I’ve also heard, via those wedding message board thingies, that people have experienced a fair amount of no-shows at their weddings as well. I can’t believe people would do something like that. I think most any host/hostess can understand when something pops up for one or two of their guests, like when someone gets sick and can’t attend, and they wish the best for them. But I heard of a girl who said she had an entire table not show at her wedding. And I cannot imagine what I would do in a case like that. The tasteless and tacky side of me (everyone has one, right? Heh…) would love to send people a bill after the wedding, charging them for the cost they incurred due to their impropriety.

I think people fail to realize that it’s not just a dinner they’re missing out on, or some drinks and dancing and cake. It’s also the cost of the rental of linens, china, and flatware in some cases. And the cost of the centerpiece for the table that was prepared to accommodate them, the menu that was printed, the favor that was ordered, and even the place card that was created for them. In our case, we will have a certain number of servers per guest, so it might be the cost of their hourly pay for a server that might not be necessary if 10 people who say they’re coming wind up not making it. It could mean a difference of literally hundreds of dollars in some cases, so it can be more important that some realize, I think.

I’m prepared to deal with this tactfully, although I honestly hope it doesn’t happen. A simple phone call as late as 2 or 3 days prior to the event is all that’s needed. But people should know that those that don’t show up after replying that they will be attending? They tend to be remembered after the fact. It’s glaringly apparent on those bridal message boards I frequent that it’s not an easy faux pas to forgive and forget about!

Again, I hope this hasn’t ruffled any feathers, as I know that the folks that read this blog have faboolous manners, and really genuinely care about Jesse and I and know how much we’re putting into getting our wedding together so the celebration of our union will truly be a fun and joyous one to attend. We’re getting more and more excited as the months come and go, and we get closer to the actual day of the wedding! (It helps that football season is around the corner, though…that should keep us effectively preoccupied for those last couple of months, I think. I cannot wait to see what happens with that USC vs. Notre Dame game the week before the wedding. Should be interesting…)