Ode To a Gracious Bride

Nothing beats seeing your bestie marry her best friend, or sharing in the celebration of one of your favorite couple's nuptials. My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of the latter this weekend, and our dear friends' Sweetest Day wedding was truly unforgettable.

Two unique cultures—Irish and Vietnamese—came together beautifully, and the bride looked drop dead gorgeous in an all-lace Monique Lhuillier mermaid gown (featuring a keyhole back and tasteful slit). Rather than don an entirely new dress for the reception, she changed it up in a different (more budget-friendly) way. Her traditional cathedral length veil was replaced with a vintage-inspired hair brooch, and a champagne silk sash was added to the natural waist of her gown. I also must say that the groom… he deserves an award for Best Groomie Hair EVER. But quite honestly, he was dashingly dapper from head to toe.

But beyond the blushing bride’s beauty, the grooms awesome hair, and a host of other memorable things I won’t get into here, I was struck by the couple’s incredibly heartfelt words throughout the reception. They took the mic several times to, first, tell US how lovely WE looked (sweet, right?), and to express their gratitude to each guest for coming. The couple made sure to visit every table to give hugs and say thanks (with 200+ people, this took serious commitment), and worked the room during cocktail hour in blissful harmony.

After the delicious dinner, and before the bride surprised her new hubby with an adorable groom’s cake (of their dog eating a sneaker), she surprised me with who she thanked in her toast. After expressing deep gratitude to her parents, new inlaws, wedding party, family, and friends, she said something like this… “And most of all, thank you to my amazing vendors….”, then went on to thank each vendor individually, by name, for their contributions to the perfectly executed day.

I was instantly delighted, as this was the first time I could recall hearing a bride thank her wedding vendors in front of the entire group. And then I started thinking… is it crazy that all brides don’t give their helpful pros special shout-outs during the wedding? I’m curious to hear what you vendors, newlyweds, and nearlyweds think!

Is it standard procedure for brides & grooms to thank their vendors while thanking others in reception toasts? Could I have missed these sweet signs of gratitude amidst the open bars, flowing cocktails, and enthusiastic banter of weddings past? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!