As a wedding guest, you’ll be part of one of the most important days of a couple’s life, and although you may not be directly part of the planning, it will help the bride and groom if you’re aware of these wedding guest do’s and don’ts.
So if you’ve just been invited to a wedding, and can’t wait to celebrate, make sure you follow these 10 wedding guest DO’s and DON’Ts to avoid any potential issues relating to wedding-guest etiquette!
There are some important things for you to know before the big day, from dress code and gift etiquette, to arriving on time and drinking responsibly. Make note of these easy details to be the perfect wedding guest!
1. Get Your RVSP Sent on Time
Before the event even begins, you can ease the happy couple’s planning by making sure that you send your RVSP as early as possible. If you can avoid keeping the bride and groom waiting for your response, it will help their wedding prep start off smoothly. They won’t be able to confirm venues and catering until they know how many people are definitely attending. Also, bear in mind that the couple probably had a hard time deciding who to invite and preparing the invitations, so if they included you, see it as a compliment and do them the favor by replying early. Once your RSVP is sent, it also means you can get a head start on the best part: choosing your outfit!
2. Check the Wedding Website
A useful tip for wedding guest do’s and don’ts is to browse the bride and groom’s wedding website. The happy couple will have a thousand and one things to think about while planning their wedding, so try to avoid adding to their worries and check the wedding website for any questions you may have. They will have made sure to include as much information as possible for their guests on their site, and it’s likely that most FAQs will be answered there. If you really need to ask a question, ask it well in advance and don’t expect an immediate reply. Even if you don’t have any questions, read the website carefully as you’ll find the information your hosts need you to remember such as dress codes, times and gift registry. They may need you to fill out dietary requirements via the website too.
3. Book Your Accommodation and Travel in Advance
One of your main priorities as a wedding guest is to make sure you have your accommodation and travel arrangements sorted out, and not left until the last minute. The location might be hard to reach, so you’ll need to figure out how to get there, especially if it’s in another country. You’ll need to think about what accommodation is available nearby and how to go between the accommodation and the venue easily. Also, check if the couple has booked a hotel for guests, as there will be a cut off date for you to confirm if you need accommodation. Remember prices increase, so you can save the pennies by organising early!
4. Follow the Dress Code
At the top of the wedding guest do’s and don’ts before the wedding is to make sure you know the dress code. You don’t want to be the only one at the wedding not following the color theme, or worse, showing up wearing the bride’s major ‘don’t’ color! Consider the weather too, will the venue be warm or cold? What time of day are the ceremony and the reception? You might want to think about taking a light knit, a shawl or an umbrella.
5. Think About Your Gift
The bride and groom will have spent a long time agreeing and disagreeing on what to include in their wedding registry, so make sure that you’ve read through their list carefully. A wedding guest do’s and don’ts tip is to buy your gift to the happy couple from that list and to get it done early, as you’ll have more options to choose from. You don’t want to be left buying them a boring basic item. It’s also important to consider the budget, you don’t want to be stingy, after all, the couple is spending a lot on making sure all their guests have a great day! Another note relating to gifts is to make it easy on the bride and groom by sending large items straight to their home. This way, they don’t have to think about how they’ll transport their gifts after the reception.
6. Arrive on Time
One of the worst things on the wedding guest do’s and don’ts list is to arrive late. It’s a complete no-no, the bride has to be the one to make the final entrance! Leave plenty of margin for any problems that can arise like traffic, outfit issues or forgetting your handbag. Ideally, you want to arrive 30 minutes before the start time.
7. Limit Your Screen Time
Don’t be stuck on your phone all night, the couple want you to make the most of the celebration. That said, they’ll appreciate different memories of the night, so do take a few shots of you and other guests having fun, then put your phone away. If you do get some photos, make sure that you share them, but definitely not before the couple has said you can! Check if the couple has created a section on their wedding website for guests to upload photos of the day, and if you share it on social media, make sure to use their wedding hashtag.
8. Drink Responsibly
The hosts want guests to let loose and have the best time celebrating with them, they might even have an open bar! But do consider your limits, and don’t become the centre of attention for the wrong reasons. The happy couple doesn’t want any bad memories of their special day.
9. Get to Know the Other Guests
A wedding is a perfect excuse to socialise and meet new people. There will be all types of people amongst the guest list, from friends and family to co-workers and even the groom’s tennis buddy. So do make the most of this time to mingle and get to know the other guests. Introduce yourself to people and explain how you know the bride or groom. You never know who you might meet!
10. Pay attention to what’s happening
Another step to follow on the wedding guest do’s and don’t is to listen out for any announcements and speeches. It’s not cool to be the one at the back talking while the father of the bride is making his heartfelt speech to his daughter, or when the best man is firing out his favorite jokes. Although it’s great to talk to everyone, have your eye on what’s happening.
Most importantly, enjoy the day! You’ve been invited to take part in a beautifully special day, so make sure to read through the 10 wedding guest dos and don’ts, but remember, the couple wants to see everyone having fun so let loose and enjoy the day! Be the first one on that dance floor, get to know the couple’s friends and try out the food they probably spent ages deliberating over!
In the meanwhile, find more tips and guides relating to everything you need to know for your wedding. If you’re looking to plan your dream destination wedding in Italy then head to WedBoard to discover the stunning Italian wedding venues that you can chat directly with or start your planning experience with some of most talented destination wedding planners in Italy!
Featured image: Sergio Sarnicola Wedding
