The Top 5 Wedding Guest Faux Pas You Don’t Want To Get Caught Dead Doing
Wedding season is right around the corner, and by now, you have probably accumulated a healthy amount of invitations stuck to your fridge.
But before you throw on your heels, head to a loved one’s wedding, and embark on a night of dancing, it’s important to practice some self-awareness.
We all love a good celebration. And in these times of excitement, most of our actions are usually well-intentioned.
Despite that, accidental faux pas are still committed by wedding guests around the country every single year.
So before you RSVP or hop in an Uber to celebrate someone’s nuptials, be sure to refer back to this list. That way, you can avoid some of the most common wedding guest mistakes and forego any embarrassment or awkwardness.
1. Follow Instructions
While sending out wedding invitations, brides and grooms usually make simple requests. Sometimes they have to do with dress code; other times, they are about parking or arrival times.
Whatever these specifications may be, just follow the couple’s directions! If the invitation says “black tie wardrobe,” then honor that request. Or, if you are instructed to arrive by 11:00 a.m. latest to avoid any aisle procession interruptions, don’t roll up at 11:15 a.m.
Of course, things happen. And if you happen to be running behind on someone’s wedding day, there’s not much you can do.
Serhii – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
But, it is important to understand the couple’s expectations ahead of time via open communication. For instance, if you are unclear about what “black tie” means, shoot the couple a text or email for some clarification. You could even forward a potential outfit idea for approval if you really need help.
And if you are worried about arriving on time, communicate that to the bride or groom and ask them how to handle any tardiness. For instance, should you wait until 11:30 a.m. to sneak in the back in order to avoid any interruptions of the bride’s entrance? The couple can help you figure that out.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t make assumptions or ignore expectations. Instead, work to understand the couple’s guidelines to the best of your ability, and if you need help or guidance, don’t be afraid to reach out.
2. Never Bring An Uninvited Plus-One
I get it: weddings are fantastic places to meet people. After all, love is in the air, and you are getting exposed to tons of new individuals whom you might not have ever met before.
At the same time, weddings also make stellar dates– whether that be for you and your partner or a new potential significant other you have gone out for a few drinks with.
Despite that, though, you should never just show up with a plus-one unless your invitation explicitly states you are allowed to bring one.
Remember that weddings are, first of all, expensive. Second, they are usually meticulously planned, and any unexpected guests can throw a large wrench in the plan– messing up seating arrangements and even leading to food or drink shortages.
So, if you are unsure about bringing a date, be sure to always ask first. And if the couple says no, just respect their wishes.
3. Practice Beverage Restraint
Yes, open bars are tempting and make a world of difference in guests’ experiences. I mean, not having to pay and getting access to endless liquor? Sounds like a dream!
But don’t ruin the experience for everyone by taking too much advantage of the amenity. Getting tipsy at a wedding is a-okay. However, ending up plastered and puking in the bathroom (or worse, the dance floor) is a major faux pas.
So, practice some responsibility and remember to pace yourself. Of course, weddings are celebrations that can be enjoyed alongside alcohol. But, they are not the time or place to black out.
4. Make Do With The Menu
Having a dietary restriction or allergy is one completely understandable thing. But requesting an entirely different meal on the day of someone’s wedding just because is another.
Oftentimes, couples detail the different meal options guests will be provided with right on wedding invitations. Most commonly, these options include choices between meat, fish, and vegetarian offerings.
Now, if you have a dietary restriction or allergy concern, that is totally valid– and should be communicated with the bride or groom prior to their wedding day to ensure you are accommodated.
But if you show up to a loved one’s reception and ask for a different meal simply because you want something else, that is just not fair.
So much planning goes into wedding menus, and there are also budget limitations at play. That’s why, if you are concerned about any of your food options, you should be upfront prior to the wedding day to avoid any confusion.
And if you fail to communicate with the couple beforehand, you will just have to accept what is being served.
5. Put Your Phone Away
With such great cameras constantly at our fingertips, it can be tempting to whip out your phone during a wedding ceremony to snap some great photos of the happy couple.
But quite frankly, you are not doing anyone any favors by holding up your iPhone.
Brides and grooms spend a ton of money finding and booking their wedding photographers in hopes of getting pictures that capture a specific and special aesthetic. Not to mention, even though smartphone cameras are stellar nowadays, professional cameras are still better.
So, try to just live in the moment and stop getting in the way of the photographers. The last thing you want is your hand– holding an iPhone– photobombing a gorgeous professionally-shot photograph of the newlyweds.
At the same time, you also don’t want to get caught scrolling the night away in the background of wedding reception photos. That’s why, most of the time, it’s best to keep your phone in your purse or pocket for most of the evening.
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