Chapter 17 Excerpt

Weddings, Funerals and everything in between

Although British and American weddings may look similar, the social rules governing each are dissimilar enough to cause embarrassment.   The first time I went to an American wedding, I looked at the guy standing at the top of the aisle and wondered why he was pointing his elbow at me.  

Since I was very new to the States, I decided that there could be any number of reasons, and walked straight past him, leaving my husband apologizing profusely to the confused groomsman!   With a similar ignorance of British weddings, you too can embarrass yourself, your friends and loved ones.   Believe it or not, funerals can also be different enough to cause embarrassment - if you don't read this chapter first.

"There are usually fewer bridesmaids than in American weddings, and they are not matched by an equal number of groomsmen.   If you are asked to be a bridesmaid by a British bride, you will usually not be required to pay for your own dress!   If you are an American bride asking Brits to be bridesmaids, they will not expect to have to pay for their own dress!

"By the way, the phrase "to stand up at someone's wedding" has no particular meaning in the UK, - in fact "to stand up for someone," means to defend them in an argument".   So if you are having Brits as part of your wedding party, be very specific when approaching them about it."