How to Avoid Upstaging the Bride: A Wedding Guest Guide
Weddings are always a joyous occasion (a good excuse to dress up and party the night away).
So, as a guest, you obviously want to look your best. But you should also try to ensure the spotlight stays on the bride.
Here’s a guide to help you strike the perfect balance.
1. Dress Appropriately
First and foremost, if a bride specifies a dress code on your invitation, be sure to adhere to it! Regardless of whether it’s black tie, semi-formal, or casual, make sure your attire matches the theme and respects the bride’s wishes.
And, of course, you should absolutely always avoid wearing anything white. This rule is timeless, as white, ivory, or cream-colored outfits are generally reserved for the bride.
Then, when it comes to outfit choice, it’s best to remain stylish but understated. Avoid overly bright colors or bold patterns that might draw attention away from the bride.
2. Keep Accessories Simple
Your garments aren’t the only important factor to consider: you should think about your jewelry, too. Opt for elegant and simple jewelry since large, flashy pieces can be pretty distracting.
Tom Merton/KOTO – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
As for footwear, choose shoes that are fashionable yet practical. Remember, comfort is key, especially if there’s dancing involved.
3. Makeup and Hair
It would be pretty wild to ask wedding guests to show up without any makeup on or without their hair done. Still, you can take some steps to ensure the bride shines brightest on her big day.
Primarily, you can aim for a more natural makeup look – avoiding heavy, dramatic makeup that might overshadow the bride’s look.
As for hairstyles, you can definitely wear something chic but try not to make it too elaborate. Remember, at the end of the day, the bride’s hair should be the focal point.
4. Be Mindful of Your Behavior
Now, when you’re actually at the wedding, you’ll want to be on your best behavior.
To start, a common pet peeve among brides is when people have their cell phones out during the ceremony. This is a surefire way to sabotage priceless pictures captured by the professional photographer. Not to mention, you may miss being actually present in the moment.
So, try to keep selfies to a minimum, and don’t even think about whipping your phone out when the bride walks down the aisle.
After the ceremony, when you can officially greet the bride, make it a point to compliment her on her special day.
Finally, during the reception – everyone’s favorite part about weddings – you can enjoy the celebration. However, just be sure you drink responsibly.
Nothing is more embarrassing than being a wasted wedding guest, drawing negative attention toward yourself, and dampening the bride’s day.
5. Respect the Couple’s Wishes
Last but certainly not least, if the happy couple makes any special requests, simply adhere to them. These may involve anything from a specific arrival time to not posting about the event on social media.
And when it comes time to hand over your wedding present, make sure it’s something that’s considerate and appropriate. You shouldn’t steal any thunder by giving an extravagant gift and making a huge deal about it.
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