Newport Manners & Etiquette: BYO Parties + V-Day Marriage Proposal
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
The etiquette of making a Valentine marriage proposal.
Getting in the mood to propose
Dear Didi,
Is it proper etiquette to ask my boyfriend if he wants to get married? He's invited me to an awesome restaurant to celebrate Valentines and I know he's bought me a present. We've been a couple for three years, live together, talk about getting married, and I want to get married, so is it alright to propose? By the way, we're both in our thirties. A.F., Providence
Dear A.F.,
Absolutely. Mind you, I'm not suggesting you get down on your knee and ask him to marry you in the restaurant, but I've another idea. Surprise him. Go to a store that specializes in over-the-top black lace lingerie and buy the sexiest combo of brassiere, garters and panties you can afford. When you surprise him in private after a romantic dinner, you will be impossible to resist. Then you can get on your knee and propose, but you've got to make the moment rather special. ~Didi
Hosting a BYO party
Hi Didi,
I'm hosting a surprise birthday cocktail party for my husband, hiring a bartender to mix cocktails, and wondering how to word the invitation to include: In lieu of present bring a bottle to help contribute to the night. I want people to dress up more than our usual casual attire of shorts/t-shirts but don't feel the need to go overboard -- I'm thinking slacks and shirts for the men but not thongs or ties. How do I convey that we are not serving unlimited drinks and guests should bring their own alcohol as we have estimated 6 cocktails per guest to be in our budget? N. G., Tampa, FL
Dear N.G.,
In organizing a BYO surprise cocktail party for your husband, much like a pot luck supper, you want to be sure that guests don't all just bring whiskey. You have to know what they're bringing and the size of the bottle. You'll need a range of beverages, which is why when they RSVP your invitation they should tell you exactly what they're bringing: a six pack of beer, a 1 Liter bottle of vodka, gin, etc. Who supplies the mixers and what will you be offering those who don't drink alcohol? Once you have a headcount, ask the bartender exactly what he needs for the number of guests attending.
Since it is a cocktail party, use the dress code 'Cocktail Attire' or find an invitation with a man (or couple) wearing the cocktail attire you're hoping for and use that as your image. Take a free photo off the Internet to use on your e-vite by searching: free image cocktail party.
Remember, when you're asking people to pitch in to pay for the party, which you're doing by asking them to bring a bottle, you can't then tell them it is a cash bar after six drinks unless you give them each six tickets at the door. The tickets will signal that after they're used up, they pay the bartender (and he won't be taking credit cards of checks). Asking guests to bring additional alcohol would be too complicated unless they bring it voluntarily.
Remember guests won't read a complicated invitation, so simplify, simplify, simplify.
Here's a sample of wording for your invitation, centered on the page/card:
It's a SURPRISE 40th Birthday Party for
Michael Wilderstein
Come celebrate with family and friends!
Saturday, March 2nd
6:00PM to 9:00PM
2345 Ocean Avenue
Tampa
RSVP __________
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
In lieu or a gift, please let me know what beverage you're bringing to claim your six drinks per person tickets at the door, then it's a cash bar.
~Didi
Romance and funerals
Dear Didi,
This started many years ago. I'm 43 now. When I was 18, I had a relationship with an amazing girl my age. We lived together for a couple of years until our relationship took a turn for the worse. I found out 20 years later she had gone to a party. after being out at bar, and was brutally assaulted by a group of men and her beautiful self-esteem was destroyed.
Then she hooked up with a man 9 years older and she says now that she had a very low opinion of herself. (I have been very supportive of helping her through this as she has kept this bottled up for over 20 years....many tears weve shed!!!) This man cheated, lied, abused drugs and completely screwed her over. She had 2 kids with him, now 18 and 20. After 10 years she left him and he's never given her a cent in child support for her or his two kids. She worked two jobs and was abusing alcohol. I also had two children, now 13 and 16, in a loveless marriage. I moved on and we've been a couple now for almost a year and living together for 6 months.
My question is: Her ex is very close to dying of cancer. Only recently did he tell his kids (He has a pitiful relationship with his daughter, who lives with us, but a better one with his son, as he can smoke pot, drink, womanize and do whatever.), even though he has known for over a year or more.
I believe my sweetheart should go to the funeral out of town with her daughter out of respect for his family who never hurt her. Honestly I have no respect for him or even met his family, but I will be available to the kids as a friend and possible step-father down the road. Is it wrong of me not go to the funeral? My close friends say I do not have to go. I appreciate your response as this column is very enlightening and I find solace in reading your responses. Regards, P. H., Location withheld
Dear P. H.,
I understand your sweetheart is going to her former horrible husband's funeral in support of her daughter, but who will be supporting her emotionally? A whole lot of repressed anger is going to seethe out toward the louse. She will most likely not only act out but also be depressed. Now that she has made the decision to stay away from abusive relationships, it would help her feel better about herself if you were there for her. That's what partners do.
Also, you would be a buffer between her and her children, if they act out and things became unpleasant or even toxic. If you're in a committed relationship, you are in this for better or for worse. If you don't go, she may return bitter and withdrawn and angry that you hadn't been there to help her when she needed you. ~Didi
Do I have to wear pantyhose?
Dear Didi,
Is it appropriate to go without hose when attending a Black Tie Optional affair and wearing a short black dress? J. H., Location withheld
Dear J. H.,
It depends upon the climate and the shape of your legs. If it's chilly out because you live in a cold climate, you will feel the cold going outside to and from the car and inside the car before it warms up. When your legs are buff and shiny, you can usually get away with not wearing legwear. You don't have to wear those nasty pantyhose your mother wore. Legwear today can actually enhance the look, feel, and shape of your legs. Look online at brands such as Wolford and find similar legwear in a department store near you. Wear legwear that is a shade lighter than your skin tone with a bit of shimmer and shine to it and they will dress up your legs. ~Didi
Do you have a question for Didi? Visit her at NewportManners.com. We can withhold your name and location. Didi researches etiquette and all matters of manners for her book,"Newport Etiquette." Previous weekly GoLocalProv.com columns can be found by typing in Didi Lorillard in the above righthand search.
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