Weddings are huge events filled with lots of joy and celebration, yet everyone must abide by the wedding rules that have been established. People should observe proper etiquette at various parts of a wedding. Here is a list of some important rules about politeness for your consideration before going to an event like this one. Have a memorable wedding experience by adhering to these guidelines of etiquette!
Pre-Wedding Etiquette
So, you got an invitation, and your loved one’s wedding is just around the corner. A serene feeling of excitement has filled your heart, but do you know the pre-wedding etiquette? If not, we have got you covered. Here are some pre-wedding essentials to make you behave the way a responsible guest does. Let’s explore.
- Return Your RSVP On Time
Under wedding etiquette rules, one of the primary and most essential guidelines is responding promptly and on time to requests received for weddings. Since hosts are responsible for ensuring everything runs smoothly at weddings, responding as soon as possible is crucial so they can plan the perfect events and ensure everything runs smoothly.
- Respect Your RSVP
Keep your promise about the RSVP. It means that you must follow through with the answer you choose in response to an offer. If the answer is no, then it must be a clear no. After saying “No,” you shouldn’t immediately make plans to go to the wedding. Since the couple getting married will have to change everything and start from scratch just for you, since the day is so important to them, you shouldn’t make them feel forced by changing your plans at the last minute. People should remember these rules of wedding manners.
- Stick to the Proper Dress Code
Have you been invited to a wedding and its dress code is clearly stated, it is imperative that you strictly abide by it. Please do so to avoid leaving the couple feeling mistreated and could make them feel uncomfortable about how their event will be perceived by guests. In order to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself, it’s essential that a middle ground be found between extremes; consider what theme and where the wedding will take place when choosing what attire to wear.
- Limit Your Drinks
If you enjoy drinking, be aware of how much drink you are allowed to have at a wedding. Too much alcohol consumption could give people the impression that you lack control over yourself. Moreover, drinking too much at a wedding may cause unwanted interruptions or make guests uncomfortable. When drinking heavily, it can affect how you act. So ideally, don’t drink at all. Each guest should never forget these guidelines regarding appropriate behavior at weddings.
- Maintain The Decency
Weddings are filled with laughter and happiness, but it’s still important to keep things nice by following all directions you were given prior to attending. Don’t bring anything extra or make extra plans; go where the event is taking place and enjoy yourself properly!
Wedding Day Etiquette
The awaited wedding day has arrived. Finally, the person close to your heart will turn into a bride or a groom. And it’s the perfect time to show how much you care. Scroll through the following list of etiquette to follow on the wedding day and ensure you don’t end up disappointing the couple.
- Respect The Seating Chart
The vast majority of weddings will have some seating arrangement for the guests to use. The bride and groom have provided each wedding guest with a specific seat assignment for the duration of the ceremony. As a result, please demonstrate that you respect their judgment by settling down in the chairs that have been assigned to you and avoiding arguments with other individuals over the available seats. These are the most fundamental rules of wedding etiquette that everyone should remember to follow at all times.
- Don’t Take Pictures Until Asked.
At any ceremony, taking photographs may cause the couple to feel awkward and self-conscious. They have contracted an experienced photographer to capture these memories for them; thus, it would be wise not to use your phone camera instead and allow the professional to do their work.
- Give An Appropriate Gift
As part of attending any wedding to which you have been invited, it is always appropriate to bring a present for the newlyweds. No longer should this gift cause you to break your budget; there is an assortment of inexpensive presents readily available that won’t break the bank. Furthermore, don’t let anyone stop you from creating their own gifts or having them personalized; recipients love receiving unique presents made just for them!
- Mute And Put Away Your Phone
At a wedding, it is essential that guests make every effort to conceal their phones so as not to make the newlyweds feel disrespected by attending calls or remaining busy with calls during the celebrations. Your importance to the couple will be demonstrated through every act on their special day – including speaking on the phone!
- Don’t Get Late – Be On Time
When attending any wedding event, it is best to arrive on time. Stop wasting time doing everything else that keeps you occupied and prepare yourself accordingly so that you arrive on time – this wedding tradition must be observed by all participants, and showing up punctually shows your care for those you care about by showing up promptly.
Post-Wedding Etiquette
Yay! It’s all done. You have arrived at the venue and are well seated, but the responsibility of being the responsible guest has yet to end. To cut the chase short, we have searched and listed some post-wedding etiquette to help you stand tall when it comes to responsible guests at the wedding.
- Follow All Health Guidelines
Once it comes to 2023, everyone is well aware of the Corona virus that is endangering global health. Therefore, if you plan on attending any wedding between now and then in 2023 or later, make sure you take all of the suggested health measures, such as wearing a mask to wear to events. Clean hands frequently throughout the ceremony process, and always wash thoroughly afterward. If you are feeling unwell, it would be wiser not to go as this might make others sick as well.
- Follow Social Media Rule
Wedding etiquette dictates specific rules and laws that must be observed at every wedding, including as a guest. As part of this tradition, guests should adhere to particular protocols prior to sharing photos from a ceremony online or live-streaming details of it on social media sites (unless specifically requested to). Also, note that some traditions do not allow guests to live stream or live stream any part of it online – therefore, it would be wiser not to do these things while attending one!
- Don’t Steal The Spotlight
As a guest at a wedding, one of the critical rules of behavior is allowing the couple their special moment in the spotlight without making statements that might draw too much attention to themselves during the service itself. Allow the newlyweds their moment; after their big day comes your turn! Let them enjoy it thoroughly; their day should not be stolen by outsiders!
- Limit Special Requests
If you plan to attend a wedding, try your best not to make any specific requests of the host; arrive and enjoy the festivities. It should be remembered that this day is explicitly intended for the couple, and any recommendations they might make should be honored without overstepping that cap. Making too many demands could make the happy couple uncomfortable and violate their boundaries of personal space. Until you create a playlist of songs to match or otherwise relate with them better, request that music from this list is played instead.
Conclusion:
Wedding etiquette should be a key consideration when planning to attend the big day, and this comprehensive guide on wedding etiquette provides all of the knowledge needed to ensure its smooth running and that guests who attend feel respected on this special occasion.
Make your wedding experience truly enjoyable for all involved by adhering to civility principles and respecting individual couple preferences, benefiting not only them but also their guests.
Also, if you need clarification as to what to give to your guests, why not check out Callie? There we have the best wedding gift collection, helping wedding guests choose the perfect gift for the happy couple.