Giselle Bundchen did it. Salma Hayek did it. But would you do it?

It seems like double weddings are all the rage these days, and not the double weddings where two best friends tie the knot in tandem. These brides have two ceremonies, complete with two receptions.

Most of the time, the first wedding is a destination celebration on the beaches of Hawaii or in the streets of Paris, while the second ceremony takes place closer to home (unless you are Salma Hayek, who wed in both Paris and Venice—lucky girl!). By splitting time between two locations, the couple can better ensure that family and friends will be able to attend one of the two ceremonies.

Do you think this is a viable solution for non-celebrity couples? Would you host two weddings in two different locations? What would your dream destinations be? Rant or rave!

Dear Divas,

A friend of mine from college recently got engaged.  I was invited to her wedding, but because I live out of state, I’m unable to attend.  I still want to send her a gift, however, we haven’t been close for a while.  What is the appropriate amount to spend if I’m not attending the wedding and haven’t maintained a close relationships with this girl?  On the same note, what is the appropriate amount to spend if I AM attending a wedding (with a date) of a close friend?  Help!

Gift Gal

Dear Gift Gal,

What a great question!  I think this is something that almost every person has to deal with at one time or another.  Especially in these tough times, digging deep in the pockets for a wedding gift can be rough.  Therefore, it helps to know what proper etiquette states is the correct amount to spend.

Happily, the truth is that you should spend what you can afford.  There is no sense in breaking the bank if you truly can’t afford it . A gift is just that–a gift–and the bride and groom will appreciate anything you can afford to give them.  If you do want some sort of gauge, though, the rule of thumb is to try to spend as much as you think your meal would cost.  If it’s a buffet, a safe guess is around $40-$50 a person.  If it’s a served meal, I’d guess closer to $75-$100 a person.  Again, it’s okay to adjust these numbers to fit YOUR budget!

If you’re not attending the wedding but want to send a gift anyway, any amount really works.  A small token of your congratulations is welcome at any amount.  I tend to spend around $50, however, if they’re close friends I’ll spend more, if they’re more distant, I might even spend less.  You’ll be appreciated for being a thoughtful person in spite of your inability to attend the wedding.

Happy gifting!

Our event coordinator at  our parent company, Tiny Prints,  recently worked with a charity to provide thank you card favors for their annual gala.  This unique idea looked so nice when it was completed, that I thought it would translate really for a wedding.

As you see in the photo below, each package featured five thank you cards that were designed to match the event colors & marked with a personalized gift tag.  After, each set was placed at each table setting for the perfect finished look.  Check it out: