The wedding season is full in the bloom right now. You may have many wedding invites but going to a wedding is not as simple as it sounds. Be it wedding of a close friend, a close relative or a distant relative but there are some things that you should always keep in mind before going to a wedding as a guest.
Take care of what you would be wearing
Do not wear such colors that would match what the bride or the groom would be wearing. The Bride would obviously be wearing white, so do not wear white or ivory. Let that be the bride’s color. Consider what season it is and choose your color accordingly. Sure you can have a little white somewhere in your dress, but it should not be an all-white dress.
Gift wisely
Consider your relation to the couple and gift accordingly. Some couples keep a registry of what they are going to need, if the couple has kept that, abide by the list. The registry system is still going on quite strong. If you choose not to abide by the list, make sure you include the gift receipt with the same. Giving monetary gifts and gift cards would also do.
RSVP on Time
Be very careful that you send your RSVP card on time and very promptly. They are usually sent very well ahead of time like seven-nine weeks ahead. That is done for a purpose. RSVP-ing right on time is a big deal. The couple would need to tell the vendor the final count. If by any chance you send the RSVP card post deadline, you would only be increasing the couple’s workload.
Do mention if you are bringing a guest
The couple maybe already having an issue as to how many guests they want to invite or accommodate. Most couples face this scenario as to how many people and whom they want to invite along with a guest. However do read the invite very carefully. If the invite has only your name, only you would be invited. If you are invited along with the guest, this would be clearly mentioned. So unless the guest is invited, do not take along anyone else.
The couple would not ever write on the invite that your kids are not invited. Read and interpret the invite very well and very correctly. If your whole family is invited “& Family” would be written or your children’s name would be separately written. Unless it is not, do not take them along. It is not good manners to take an assumption that it would be okay to take your children along even if it is not mentioned.
Oblige to the person who asks you to dance
If you are going alone and anyone asks you for a dance, oblige them even if it is granny or grandpa. You can always oblige for a dance. Never say no. It would only disappoint them. Who knows, maybe you would also enjoy that and have fun.
If you have some special meal requirements, do mention well before
Sometimes along with the invite and the RSVP card, there would be an area where you would be given space to write if you have any food restrictions or any allergies. If you are facing any such issues, please mention that well in advance and let them know so that they can make the required arrangements. However, if there is no such option, have the courtesy of contacting the couple and letting them know. This way they would have enough time to make special arrangements for you.
Be on Time
Always be on time. Make sure you do not arrive after the bride. You do not want to disrupt the atmosphere by arriving after the bride. This way you will only interrupt the ongoing ceremony. The basic etiquette is to reach approximately 20-30 minutes before the ceremony begins. And by some reason even if you are late, wait till the ceremony is done before joining the celebrations.
Abide by the seating arrangements
First of all, wait patiently till you are ushered to your seat. Normally the front seats would be reserved for the bridal party and family. Contact the ushers and ask them where you are supposed to be seated. Also, do not argue if you do not like your seat. It is only till the ceremony lasts and to change your seat would mean a lot of hassle. So seat happily wherever you are supposed to seat.
Ask the couple to pose for you, don’t just click away
Sure, you will be excited and want to take all the photos of the happy couple but be careful not to click unnecessarily. The couple may find it irritating and disturbing. If you want to click their photos, ask them to pose for you and with you. That way you would even get better photos of them. This is also a very important etiquette.
Don’t post on social media without taking the couple’s consent
Even if you take their photos with their consent and are allowed to take their photos, that doesn’t mean you are allowed to post them online. Maybe the couple doesn’t want their photos to go viral. You may be tempted to share their happiness online but never do it without their consent. They may just hate it and curse you for that. So if you want to do the same, just ask them before doing so. Don’t do it without their knowledge. Some couples have started writing this as an instruction that no one is allowed to share the photos online.
You have been invited to someone’s most important day and thus, you also have some responsibility when you go and attend their wedding. Above a few wedding guest etiquette tips need to be taken care of when you go to attend a wedding.
