How To Not Be A Bad Wedding Guest
It's almost wedding season. It's time to get yourself in check and truly learn how not to be a bad wedding guest. For the sake of all up-and-coming weddings please share this article with your friends that like to take shots, roll their eyes and basically haven't any manners. You know who they are! Take note of the stylish couple above photographed by Lane Dittoe Weddings .
All the future Brides and Grooms can send a warm thank you to Sharon Schweitzer , an international etiquette expert, author and founder and CEO of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, for sharing with us how not to be a bad wedding guest. Keep scrolling to see how not to be a bad wedding guest.
1.Yes, you must bring a gift
Whether it’s the neighbor down the hall in your apartment, your niece’s cousin once removed, or your very best friend, a gift at the wedding is always expected. A gift is a sign of well-wishing as a couple takes their next steps. Use the registry to get gifts that the happy couple truly wants and will use throughout their married life. Don’t break the bank.
Buy a gift that matches the relationship. You will spend more on your brother than on your distant childhood babysitter. We love the idea of this tray from Bupp Woodworks and Design. Taking the couple's wedding flowers and turning into a meaningful gift. Y ou could offer them a gift certificate to the shop .
2. Always RSVP
RSVP still means respond if you please ( respondez s’il vous plait in French ). Please RSVP within 24-48 hours, or at the latest within the time stated on the invitation to avoid a call from the bride’s friend or family member asking if you’re attending.
Send elegant Respond Cards like the image below from Shine Wedding Invitations.
3. Don’t be a wedding crasher
The names on the invitation are the people invited. If you receive a paper invitation, look at the inside envelope. Does it list “and guest,” your partner, children or family members? If not, then they are not invited. If a guest is not included, don’t ask if you can bring one.
Since these two had a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, bringing an extra guest would cause quite a commotion. If you're having a Cabo wedding be sure to view LA76 Photography , they captured this beautiful wedding below.
4. Be smart about technology and social media
Resist the urge to take selfies and put the smartphone down. If you must, take one or two photos and tuck the phone out of sight. Check with the bride beforehand to see if it’s okay to upload photos to Instagram or Facebook. It’s poor form to Tweet or Facebook the ceremony or reception because you are sharing private moments with thousands of people who were not invited. You must refrain even if Lady Gaga herself attended the wedding!
Courtney Sue Miller Photography captured Maria and Antonio's wedding where Lady Gaga was indeed a guest.
5. Wearing white is still off limits
Avoid wearing a dress, suit or ensemble that is any shade of white, ivory, off-white, pearl, ecru, eggshell or cream to a wedding. These colors are reserved for the Bride, and if you wear them – she will certainly spot you, and not in a favorable way. Depending on the bride’s preferences, black is more acceptable at weddings - but any variation of white is off limits.
However we can all agree this Significant Other dress is stunning.
6. Don’t rain on the wedding parade
Don’t do shots, heckle the toasts, let your phone bark like a dog, chat it up with your friends or use your camera flash to interrupt special moments. Celebrate, find time to congratulate the couple personally, and mix and mingle. Don’t spend the entire night glued to your phone or the bar. Celebrate with the ones you love, and meet new friends along the way.
7. Keep your comments to yourself and participate
Maybe you think when the bride throws her bouquet that it’s a silly tradition. Maybe you don’t like the wedding colors. Maybe you think the ceremony was too long and religious. Whatever the case, refrain from making negative comments or not participating. This is not your day and it’s not about you. See the entire beach wedding pictured below here . Photographed by Barrie Anne Photography .
Now that you know how to be the best wedding guest ever you may now attend the wedding. We're in super love with this wedding arch created by Vicky Galata Weddings & Events .
