Formal gatherings require some form of decorum and norms to be adhered to. Weddings are no different. As a wedding guest, you should know that it is all about the bride and groom, so try as much to do things to make their day extra special. Before you attend any wedding, ensure you go through the following rules so that you don’t end being an embarrassment or regretful:
1. RSVP on time
You’ll notice on your wedding invitation there’s a date for RSVPs to be in by. That deadline is there for a reason, so please make sure you get back to the couple by then. The seating plan can be hard enough to sort without all of the RSVPs.
2. Don’t wear white
Leave white for the bride. You may also avoid ivory or cream. Steer clear of those colours, and even more so if lace is involved too. You can wear your nice white lace dress to any event of the year. Brides get one day to wear their nice white lace wedding dress. Respect them with your choice of outfit.
3. Don’t wear black too
Black is a bit funeral-dress code, and traditionally wearing black was a way to protest against the marriage. So unless you not-so-secretly wish the bride was marrying you, put your black-tie back on the rack and pick out a more fun floral one.
4. Obey the dress code
Unless the wedding invitation states that there’s an informal dress code, don’t assume there is one. That means no jeans! Yes, they’re comfy and you can do an awesome slide-across-the-room-on-your-knees in them, but consider the time and place.
5. Don’t stand in the photographer’s way
Allow the photographer to do his/her job. Even if you have over 500 followers on Instagram? You’re still not the photographer the couple hired for their big day, so don’t get in their way, wielding your phone. And if the couple have stated that there’s a social media ban at the wedding, respect it.
6. Behave yourself
You wouldn’t go to a restaurant and decide to steal some of the décor or smuggle food and souvenir. Resist the urge to make off with one of the carefully assembled centerpieces, and just be of good behaviour.
7. You get what you are given
Don’t moan about the menu choices to the couple. It’s their wedding and they’re footing the bill, so it’s only fair they’re allowed to eat their favourite foods. As long as they’ve catered for any dietary requirements, you can’t complain.
8. Don’t make the wedding about you
If you have big news to share, the wedding you’re attending as a guest is not the place to do it, unless you’ve cleared it with the couple beforehand and they’re okay with it. And definitely don’t plan to propose at someone else’s wedding – again, unless the couple is actually, genuinely happy for you to do so. Get your own special day!
9. Have fun
Even with the rules, do well to enjoy yourself. It is just courtesy and common sense. Be happy for the newlyweds and have fun.