Should wedding guests always be invited with a plus one?

 

Harpers Bazaar asked us their reader’s top wedding etiquette questions including who should get invited with a plus one at a wedding. It’s an age-old wedding etiquette question that we often get asked and the answer may surprise you!

“Couples who need to limit their guest list should create general guidelines as to which of their single, or attached but unmarried friends, can bring a date to the wedding. General “rules” state that anyone engaged or living with their significant other should be invited as a couple to the wedding, with both names on the wedding invitation. It’s also polite to offer those traveling in from out of state or country a plus one where possible too. After those, it’s up to each couple to decide what limits to set.

Some additional guidelines can include: Guests who have been dating for at least 6 months or even a year may bring a date, or if only one or two friends are single the couple may allow them to bring a date so they don’t feel like the odd ones out. Or, you could decide that only members of the bridal party can bring a date. If the couple has a lot of single friends, you may want to invite them to attend unattached and all the friends can mingle together. You can also remind them that a lot of people meet their future spouses at weddings!”

Read more of the top wedding etiquette questions we get asked and the answers in the below full article, or take our upcoming wedding etiquette course at The Plaza Hotel on March 1st!

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/wedding/planning/a20311/wedding-advice-etiquette/

Are Honeymoon Registries Tacky?

Engagement season is upon us…and for all the brides and grooms-to-be, you may be wondering what the correct etiquette is behind wedding registries – namely, online honeymoon registries. Town & Country magazine asked us what the etiquette rules were surrounding this oh-so-talked about wedding topic. Read the rules here…

http://bit.ly/2iAirdv

Want to be able to host a party like The Duchess of Cambridge?

The Duchess of Cambridge is known to be a stellar hostess! Good Housekeeping magazine called us to ask how they too could learn to host like a royal. From weekends full of houseguests to dinner parties galore, follow these 16 easy etiquette tips…

http://bit.ly/2illo4A

How to handle family over the holidays that offend you with political comments

Let’s say you’re #StillWithHer, but your old uncle Ted believes in “Making American Great Again.” Or maybe you felt “The Bern” hard, but your very own parents were pro–Trump.

This could make the holidays, which you’re usually so excited about,  a time you’re dreading. Don’t worry! We’ve given 8 tips on how to handle political mayhem around the dining table this holiday season. Read our advice and the full interview we gave The Coveteur here:

http://bit.ly/2gxXwJV

Registration now open! The Plaza Finishing Program with Beaumont Etiquette in 2017

Illustration by Megan Hess

For the ultimate luxury experience in NYC mixed with fun and exciting etiquette lessons… try enrolling into one of our new courses launching in 2017 at the iconic Plaza Hotel!

Courses are for both men and women, with options including either:

• A 2 hour etiquette lesson over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at The Palm Court; Classes are social, interactive and kept to 20 people on select Wednesdays starting January 18th 2017 – $75 per person; ages 21+
• A weekend intensive finishing program where you spend all weekend at The Plaza Hotel in a small group setting. You’ll be primped and polished to perfection, while learning exciting etiquette lessons ranging from formal dining to social networking and everything in between; ages 18+ (discounted hotel room rates for those enrolled offered) – $2750 per person (meals during courses are included; travel and hotel stay are not included)

To read more about the experience, visit: goo.gl/xiW53e

For a full list of available dates, course topics, pricing and to register (course booking is on a first come first serve basis), you can visit: http://www.beaumontetiquette.com/plaza-hotel/

For more information about The Plaza Hotel, please visit: http://www.theplazany.com/

 

 

New: Online Etiquette Courses!

We love getting requests from all over the country and world for etiquette courses, and we truly wish we could come to you all in person. We thought for months about how we could make our courses more accessible to people all over the world…and now we’re very excited to announce the launch of our first series of online etiquette courses that you can watch from the comfort of your own home…in any state or country!

You can choose to either rent or buy videos which range in topics from how to get in and our of a car properly, to how to hold your fork and knife correctly! Prices start from $6 to rent and $12 to buy a video.

Additionally, to create these videos, we have proudly partnering with The English Manner, the UK’s most established etiquette company. So until you can come to NYC (or we can get to you!) in person, we truly hope you enjoy our online etiquette courses.

To rent, buy or to view a free trailer, click on the below link:

Online Courses

 

 

Dressing for Summer Social Events

Last week people.com interviewed us about “The Season” and what it actually means. The Season is essentially a period of time starting in late Spring where all the big festive and social events in society take place. (Read the People article here: http://bit.ly/1Xojxdb). While “The Season” is very British social terminology, here in the US, we also have a bit of a season of our own. The first to kick off in NYC… is the  Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.

So what is appropriate garb for both men and women for an outdoor social event such as polo? Follow these tips- and you’ll look as seasoned as they come:

Ladies:

– An elegant hat to block a bit of sun is a great idea and always goes down a hit

– Opt for a dress or skirt. Shorts are too casual and trousers just plain hot

– Color scheme should be light and summery, with whites and pastels a plenty

– Watch hem lines – Slightly above the knee is perfectly fine, however it is “casual elegant” attire…meaning no short dresses/skirts or slits

– We love stilettos, but this is not the best time to wear them. Polo grounds are largely made up of grass and you’ll end up sinking while you walk…and who doesn’t want to stomp a divot or two? We would advise wedges or elegant flats instead

– A summer clutch is more than enough baggage – it’s a social sport and you don’t want to be worried about where to leave your bag and more focused on sipping Champagne

Gentlemen:

– Hats are fully appropriate – no baseball caps. Wrong sport.

Keeping the weather in mind, you want to avoid unsightly underarm circles by wearing lighter materials to keep you cool; Linen and light cottons may be your best option

– Jacket and tie are not required however the most dapper of men will arrive with one if not both;    Note upon arrival you may wear a jacket and then take it off once you have settled

– Pastels, whites and bright colors are a fantastic choice

– Button down collared shirts are highly advised

– Wear a belt and tuck in your shirt

– We recommend trousers, however you’ll see many pair of shorts if the weather is hot enough

– Belt and shoes should be color coordinated and not clashing

– Sunglasses are key

 

Launching June 20th – Online Learning!

Online Tutorials to Learn at Home

Launch date: 20th June 2016

Online video tutorials designed to enhance existing social and professional skills, all to be watched and enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

In just over two weeks’ time Beaumont Etiquette will be launching a brand-new ‘learning at home’ video series, in partnership with The English Manner.

The first series of videos, filmed in April, focuses on topics such as social and business introductions, body language, posture, presence, and key aspects of dining etiquette.

Students will be able to buy or rent as many of the videos as they like in order to learn useful skills to apply to their home and professional lives. The videos will be accessed via our website, and a DVD is planned for later in the year.

Each video is presented in a clear, logical and concise manner using demonstrations, role-play and props.

We are pleased to partner with The English Manner for these videos. The English Manner is the premier etiquette company in the UK and one of the best globally for both private and group instruction.

To receive notice of the exact launch day, pricing and further details to purchase or rent videos, sign up to our newsletter!

The Correct Way to Sit in a Photograph

So what is one of the best ways for a lady to sit for a photo? Try using the technique used by royals for generations, as published on People.com:

The “Duchess slant” It’s a pose she’s struck many times before. In fact, eagle-eyed royal fans may notice that she almost always sits with her legs leaning to one side whenever she’s seated at a public event. And, as it turns out, the signature pose likely has to do with etiquette, and it has already earned its own name – the “Duchess slant.”

The unofficial term, first coined by Beaumont Etiquette, is named after the Duchess of Cambridge and her now go-to pose.

Read instructions on how to perfect the “Duchess slant” – click on the below link for the full story:

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_21001129,00.html?xid=socialflow_twitter_peoplemag

To learn more about our course The Duchess Effect, which teaches the Duchess slant, click here for more information:

http://www.beaumontetiquette.com/social-etiquette/

Marry Harry: How to Become a Royal Catch!

Beaumont Etiquette is excited to announce the US launch of Marry Harry, an exciting and interactive dating etiquette course available to book in NYC!

Marry Harry is a finishing program designed to teach formal social graces, dining, tea & royal etiquette. Learn how to emulate the composure and elegance of the royal family, while fine tuning your manners to take on any social situation. Spend the day with your own private a etiquette instructor and be pampered like a royal. Whether it be Prince Harry… or your own Prince Charming, you’ll leave Marry Harry feeling polished to perfection and ready to mingle. 

People Magazine took Marry Harry… See what they had to say: http://bit.ly/22spB1O

Course Details & Timings:

20% of every Marry Harry course booked will be donated to Sentebale, a charity started by Prince Harry which helps vulnerable children of poverty. http://sentebale.org/

Marry Harry is a private 4 hour dating etiquette course, with add ons (below) available. As this is a bespoke course, we simply ask that you tell us your preferred date; Available 7 days per week; Recommended timings are 11:00am-3:00pm

Cost:

The Marry Harry course is $875 for a 4 hour private social etiquette lesson, taught in part at our office in Columbus Circle, Manhattan; Includes a lunch at The Plaza Hotel’s glamorous Champagne Bar. Make it a fun group event & add friends to your course for an additional $550 per person

*Add ons include:

*Pamper

We’ll book you in for a pampering hair styling session at the famous Warren Tricomi salon – $150

Or relax…with a regal manicure – $45

You can also choose an exciting private hour fashion consultation with a celebrity stylist – $200

*Indulge

Afternoon tea: A guest of Beaumont Etiquette, we’ll whisk you off to a 1.5 hour formal tea service at The Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court. In place of lunch, and for an added fee pending which tea service you select, options are the famous New Yorker Afternoon Tea or the Champagne Tea experience, both come complete with tea, scones, cakes and sandwiches.