#9. Wedding Coach, The ELI Top 10

In preparation for our June "Train to be a Children's Etiquette Consultant class" we are going to have The ELI Top 10 as we celebrate our TENTH YEAR of  the Etiquette and Leadership Institute! This will be a count down of ten awesome things you will gain from signing up for our training! #CheersTo10Years

Ever watched a wedding coordinator jump through all sort of hoops to make sure the bride's special day remains in tact without breaking a sweat and think to yourself how they do it? We know how! Now do not take this title to the extreme. Disclaimer: We are in no way saying that you can be the next Jennifer Lopez who can plan Matthew McConaughey's dream wedding or the Katherine Heigl of Maid of Honors for a bride. Those jobs are not for the faint of heart.

We are saying though that our training will give you the skills you need to be a calm, level-headed advisor of the bride who is just trying to make it through the weekend with good memories in tact. You can be a saving grace for the bride during a time of organized chaos. You will show her how to be gracious when accepting those gifts that she does not even know how to use. You will help find compromises and serve as a crisis negotiator when the bride and her mother disagree over wedding songs. And most importantly, you will be there to remind her that today is her day and you will do anything in your power to make it stress free and fun.

Now of course these aren't the only things you will learn but we picked ten of our favorites as a preview to get you off the fence and in Athens with us!

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Plus One

Have you ever been the Plus One?

You know - the person who gets invited to events as somebody's date, and who usually knows no one at the party other than the date! Wedding season is upon us, and it's likely that you or someone you know is a future Plus One. Worried about feeling awkward? We're here to help with our Plus One FAQ - Weddings Edition!

If I'm the Plus One at a wedding, do I take a present?

Yes! Or, you and your date could go in together on a present. 

How do I mesh with people who have known each other for a long time?

Think ahead of time of ways to start conversations. An easy one is, "Hello, my name is...." followed by, "How do you know the bride and groom?" It's OK if you feel left out, watching longtime friends get all of the inside jokes—that's natural. But remember that smiling and keeping a good attitude will let others know that you aren't bored or upset. When you can, try your best to steer the conversation in a way that everyone (including you) can contribute.

What do I do during rehearsals? 

If you're faced with long stretches of sitting solo in churches, banquet halls, or other such places, bring an unobtrusive diversion - we recommend a a book on your phone or e-reader. If others are in the same boat, why not introduce yourself and pass the time getting to know them?

My date is in the wedding party. How do I handle the down time?

You could find out the schedule of the wedding and ask to arrive at the event the same time as any other guest, instead of getting there super early and sitting around. If you have friends in the area, you could make plans to visit with them—just be sure to prioritize attending all of the wedding events with your date.