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Marilyn Duncan Wiltshire; CWS(Certified Wedding Specialist), BA, dip Ed, is the owner and principal consultant of Triniweddings. She previously owned and managed P&S Rentals, a Party Rentals company which she sold at the end of 2013 to dedicate her time solely to weddings. She is an accomplished Special Events Planner and a member of Weddings Beautiful Worldwide, the International Special Events Society and the Association of Bridal Consultants. She has been responsible for the coordination and production of many successful local weddings and is associated with many of the country’s more prominent service providers.She also plans a great many “destination” weddings here in Trinidad and Tobago for brides who reside abroad. In addition to planning fabulous weddings she is a part time lecturer at the Lok Jack School of Business in the Event Management Program which is done in conjunction with the George Washington University in the United States. Marilyn recently acquired the license from Weddings Beautiful Worldwide to teach and confer the CWS and AWP designations to students throughout the Caribbean region.

Monday, 28 May 2012

WHEN A MARRIAGE ENDS



             

The early end to the Kardashian/Humphries nuptials has focused unfortunate attention on the wedding gift arena.  After only 72 days of marriage, most people in the Western Hemisphere know that Kim Kardashian Humphries filed for divorce.  While various groups have various views on why it happened, what many celebrity watchers are wondering is “What happens to the gifts?”



This is an area that rarely gets talked about because the couple’s focus is on their upcoming wedding.  It is exciting and happy and busy and no one thinks that his/her wedding will come unglued so quickly.  Most couples talk about “forever and ever.”  Unfortunately, that doesn’t come true for some.



The rule of thumb has always been that wedding gifts received for any wedding, which ends at or around six months must be returned.  (Emily Post)  That clearly includes Kim K.  Traditionally, it is also expected that any gifts that have been used do not need to be returned.  The exception is the monster diamond engagement ring Kris gave Kim.  She may keep the ring since it was a gift from the groom to his bride.



What other guidelines exist to cover this situation?  The bride and groom should be sending handwritten notes to each of their guests in which they thank the individuals for attending their ceremony and letting them know that the marriage is being dissolved.  In the note they need to reference the gift received and its disposition – either returned to the giver or donated in their name to a special charity.  If the gift was cash, it needs to be returned to the giver. 



One can only hope that the couple goes about “uncoupling” in a quiet and dignified manner.  No parties or celebrations should be held.



This doesn’t happen often, but as wedding professionals we know how to advise the bride who finds herself in this unfortunate situation.




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