Expert Tips for Being the Perfect Wedding Guest

Cleveland, Ohio (June 2008) – In the midst of a booming bridal industry, today’s couples are taking more painstaking efforts to reflect their personal style in everything from their invitations to the place cards for each seat. This intense focus on customization and creating the perfect day (that is also reflective of the couple and their relationship) can intimidate even the most prepared wedding attendee. But this year you can be the perfect wedding guest with just a little extra effort.

American Greetings wedding trend expert, Jessica Palagyi, researches trends in the industry year-round. She and her team are almost like defacto wedding planners in that they review countless fashions, styles and special touches to ensure a complete gift presentation offering befitting today's detail-oriented couples.

If you are going to be one of the estimated 380 million wedding guests this year, Palagyi and her team have the following suggestions to ensure the perfect gift presentation:

• Modern gifts for the modern couple
  
  Since many couples are waiting until later in life to get married, the perfect wedding gift is no longer “one size fits all.” While traditional gift registries still allow insight to the needs of the bride and groom, guests are encouraged to select a personalized gift or experience to suit the couples’ tastes.
  
  “We’re seeing everything from ballroom dance lessons to cooking classes,” said Palagyi. “Given the wide range of interests of modern couples, gift cards are also a popular choice so that the bride and groom can take the time to select something special together after they’ve settled.”

• Love is in the details
  
  No matter the gift selection, brides will also be sure to notice when the presentation of the gift is coordinated with the color palette and formality of the wedding. This gives guests the perfect opportunity to give a great gift that reflects the couple, while presenting it in a beautiful way that befits the elegance of the occasion.
  
  Modern styles of gift bags and wrapping paper offer a broad selection of themes to choose from. Gorgeous gift-wrap embellished with beautiful ribbons or a fabric flower are easy ways to personalize a wedding gift to reflect the bride and groom’s style, and match the wedding theme.
  
  Another fun way to present a themed gift is to utilize the gift itself as the packaging. A set of wine glasses looks beautiful when wrapped in a gorgeous tablecloth (affixed with fabric tape) and accessorized with a set of napkins on top. A photo frame makes the perfect holder for that salsa dancing gift certificate.

• Making a memory
  
  Carefully selecting a wedding card that reflects not only the bride and groom’s personal style, but captures the essence of the wedding is the perfect way to complete your gift presentation. Today’s wedding cards definitely offer something for everyone, but they also focus on reflecting the romantic sentiment of the occasion. Small touches like fabric embellishments and intricate embossing add a dash of classic style to any card, and a perfect highlight to any gift.
  
  “Our newest cards reflect the beauty and elegance of the occasion, while still allowing recipients to find something that reflects themselves, as well as the couple,” said Palagyi. “We have found that consumers are looking to celebrate the classic iconography of weddings in their cards, while still being able to offer a little of themselves as well.”

American Greetings wedding, shower, bachelorette, engagement and bride-to-be cards can be found in the card aisle at Wal-Mart and Target retail outlets, as well as participating drug chains, grocery stores and super centers nationwide. The newest cards for wedding season can also be found in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. Visit www.americangreetings.com/retailers for store locations.