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Weddings are a beautiful but stressful time for the couple. With so much to plan, they don’t want to have to worry about their guests. Make the lives of your friends and family easier by following these simple “dos” and “don’ts” of wedding etiquette.
DO RSVP
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It is important that the couple knows exactly how many guests to expect so they can properly plan for seating at the venues and food options at the ceremony. It is inconsiderate to wait until the last minute– or even worse, to show up to the wedding without an RSVP. The moment you know whether or not you can attend the wedding, send out your RSVP.
DO Be on Time
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It is well known that weddings run late, but you should never count on that. If possible, arrive to the ceremony venue early so you can be confident you won’t interrupt the flow of the ceremony by arriving late. The couple wants to see your face in the crowd, not in the back because you showed up during the vows.
DO Stay out of the Photographer’s Way
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The photographer is there to capture the biggest moments in the couple’s life. Be mindful of where the photographer is so you can make sure you don’t unintentionally (or worse, intentionally) photo-bomb these heart-warming moments.
DON’T Assume You Can Bring a Date
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Unless the invitation mentions adding a plus one, do not assume this means you can bring your significant other. Whether or not the invitation allows you to bring a guest is almost always related to the budget, so don’t call the couple and ask if you can bring a date.
DON’T Bring a Large Gift to the Wedding
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This may seem surprising to some, but at the wedding, the couple does not want to have to deal with figuring out how to fit their gifts into the car– especially if you decided to provide a large one. The object will surely be appreciated, but if you really need to bring a large gift, bring it to their home before the wedding or have it shipped directly to them.
DON’T Forget to Turn Off Your Phone
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Don’t ruin vows or speeches with the irritating, shrill ring of your cellphone. Make sure your phone is on silent– or at the very least, on vibrate– before the ceremony and big reception moments.