This is a hugely rude wedding guest mistake! If you know anything about wedding planning<\/a>, you know that every guest costs about $100 between the space, food, and drinks. Because of this, couples often have to trim their wedding guest list down much more than they would like, and often have to leave off people that they would have loved to have there. So if you show up with an uninvited friend, the couple will not appreciate that. If you\u2019re given a plus one, it will state that on your invitation. If it doesn\u2019t say \u201cplus one\u201d, don\u2019t ask for one.<\/p>\n When couples choose to have an adults-only wedding ceremony, they typically state this on the wedding invite or on their wedding website. Even if they have not mentioned kids attending their wedding, if you have children, it\u2019s a good idea to ask them about it\u2014just to be sure. It\u2019s better to be clear than to just assume and bring your kids when the couple would prefer them not to be there.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re attending a casual beachside wedding or a black tie affair with a dress code, respect the instructions and dress appropriately. It\u2019s the couple\u2019s special day, and a good wedding guest will wear what they have requested. If you don\u2019t have the right attire, borrow it from someone, or rent what you need. Special attention should be given to weddings that have a color-coordinated dress code, since you\u2019ll stick out like a sore thumb if you ignore the rules. Also, this should be common knowledge by now, but don\u2019t wear white unless you\u2019ve specifically been asked to.<\/p>\n Weddings tend to bring together lots of people who have bad blood between them. If you\u2019re one of those people, do not let that ruin the couple\u2019s special day. Be a good wedding guest and put aside your ten-year feud with the groom\u2019s brother or your cousin and allow the day to be peaceful and beautiful. Even if it has nothing to do with the other wedding guests and you\u2019re going something else, try to leave any problems or drama at home and put on your best face. Enjoy several hours with the couple, and don\u2019t be a bummer.<\/p>\n Obviously. It\u2019s silly that this one even needs to be listed, but it does because there\u2019s always someone who arrives late. It\u2019s so rude. Don\u2019t do it. Allow for extra time if you have trouble getting to places on time.<\/p>\n This one should be obvious, but wedding guests do this more often than you\u2019d think\u2014especially if the wedding venue<\/a> is a particularly old or beautiful building. No matter how dazzling the venue may be, resist the urge to go exploring. Don\u2019t wander away from the other guests. You might end up barging into the bridal suite, and that\u2019s just embarrassing for everyone. Stick to the designated spots.<\/p>\n You may be dying to sit down before the wedding ceremony, but most of the time there are ushers to guide you where to sit. Make sure to wait for an usher to direct you where to go so that you\u2019re not sitting in someone else\u2019s spot.<\/p>\n More and more these days, couples are choosing to have an unplugged ceremony. This helps the wedding guests to be in the moment instead of being attached to their phones. It also keeps the wedding photos free of a sea of smartphones, helps the hired photographer\u2019s shots not to be blocked, and ensures that no \u201cboop-boop-ding-beeps\u201d sound off during the wedding vows. If the couple has chosen an unplugged wedding ceremony, respect this and turn your phone off\u2014and don\u2019t use your camera. And hey, even if they haven\u2019t chosen an unplugged wedding ceremony, why not still keep your phone turned off? Be the good guest whose phone isn\u2019t making noises and ruining the pictures.<\/p>\n While unplugged wedding ceremonies are gaining steam, it\u2019s also very popular for the couple to have a wedding hashtag<\/a>. If they\u2019re announcing this, they definitely want you to post using the hashtag, so do that!<\/p>\n Whether the couple decides to have an unplugged wedding ceremony or they provide a wedding hashtag for guests to use, always make sure you\u2019re not posting their wedding photos until they say it\u2019s okay to. Even if they are doing the hashtag, they still might want you to wait until after the reception. Privacy is very important to couples these days, so be aware of their rules.<\/p>\n Yes, lots of wedding guests drink at the reception. It\u2019s to be expected. However, there\u2019s a big difference between feeling good and getting messy. No one wants their reception ruined by an obnoxious groomsman or a sobbing bridesmaid. And vomiting? Absolutely not okay! Instead, pace yourself and know your limits. The wedding day should be remembered for the couple, not for how Cousin Amy passed out in the foyer.<\/p>\n Unless you have been asked or invited to make a speech at the reception, don\u2019t do it. It\u2019s simply rude. Speeches are typically reserved for the best man, the maid of honor, and the parents of the couple. Sometimes exceptions are made, but if they are, you\u2019ll be told. Don\u2019t assume you can just grab the microphone and start talking. If you truly feel the need to express yourself to the couple, include a letter with your wedding gift instead.<\/p>\n More and more wedding guests are mailing their gift to the newlyweds. Why? It helps cut down on the amount of things that will need to be hauled away from the reception. Unless your gift is terribly heavy or fragile, it\u2019s a nice gesture to mail it to them instead. And this should go without saying: get them a gift from their registry!<\/p>\n This is perhaps the biggest wedding guest faux pas: not sending your RSVP. It\u2019s smartest to simply send it as soon as you know if you can attend or not. Don\u2019t put it off. Life gets busy, and we procrastinate\u2014but the couple will definitely be waiting on your response in order to plan important parts of their wedding. If you can\u2019t make it, they can invite someone else, but they\u2019ll need time to do that. So even if you can\u2019t go, RSVP as soon as you know.<\/p>\n Most RSVPs these days have an area to point out any dietary restrictions, so be sure to check for this on the card and fill it out appropriately if it\u2019s available. If it\u2019s not and you do have serious dietary restrictions, it\u2019s a good idea to write this on the card yourself or to let the wedding couple know some other way.<\/p>\n If you have any questions about the wedding, be sure to ask the couple in advance. Don\u2019t wait until the wedding day, or even the wedding week. By that time, they are going to be very busy and distracted, and any added questions will probably stress them out. Whatever you have to ask, ask it as soon as it comes to mind. And if you do have to ask a question the day of the wedding, try to ask it from someone besides the couple.<\/p>\n Okay, there may be some annoying things going on at the wedding. The ceremony may go on forever. There may be a cash bar. Maybe the meal doesn\u2019t have any gluten-free options. And maybe you really wanted to bring a date, but didn\u2019t get a plus-one. But no matter what the situation is, don\u2019t complain. There may be very good reasons for these choices, so just grin and bear it, and allow the couple to have a wonderful, guilt-free time. It\u2019s their day.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no sadder scene at a wedding reception than an empty dance floor. If the couple has paid for a band or DJ and no one\u2019s out there partying, be a great wedding guest and go cut a rug. Normally it just takes a few guests on the dance floor to get more people out there. The couple will appreciate this effort. Be sure to also participate in wedding traditions like the bouquet toss or the garter throw, or watching the cutting of the cake. If something\u2019s going on, be there for it.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter what you need or how badly you need it: do not ask the wedding couple for anything. Even if the groom was supposed to bring the $500 he owes you, don\u2019t ask for it on his wedding day. If you want the bride to snap a quick photo of you with your dad, don\u2019t. If you need the number of the groom\u2019s cute cousin, get it from someone else. Just don\u2019t bother the couple\u2014they have quite enough on their minds!<\/p>\n When you get to the reception hall and you\u2019re seated at the dinner table, most of the time there will be a half-filled glass of champagne waiting for you. This is for the toasts, so don\u2019t begin sipping it yet (as tempting as that may be). The rule is one sip per toast, so make it last! You don\u2019t want to toast the newlyweds with an empty champagne glass.<\/p>\n Whatever the reason, there may be a situation that happens that causes you to have to miss the wedding. If this happens, be sure to let someone know. This doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be the couple\u2014it could be the wedding planner, the maid of honor, or a parent of the couple. It may sound silly, but they may be able to ask someone last-minute to attend if they know you can\u2019t make it.<\/p>\n Feeling ready to be the ultimate wedding guest now? Hopefully this list shed some light on a few areas you may not have considered before. No matter what, just do your best to help the couple have a wonderful wedding day. Have fun and good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are plenty of tips on throwing the perfect wedding, but what about being a\u00a0great wedding guest? We\u2019ve all been to weddings where someone in the family is fighting, or someone gets trashed. Don\u2019t be that person. Take a look at what not to do! Don\u2019t Bring Your Own Plus One This is a hugely rude wedding guest mistake! If you know anything about wedding planning, you know that every guest costs about $100 between the space, food, and drinks. Because of this, couples often have to trim their wedding guest list down much more than they would like, and often have to leave off people that they would have loved to have there. So if you show up with an uninvited friend, the couple will not appreciate that. If you\u2019re given a plus one, it will state that on your invitation. If it doesn\u2019t say \u201cplus one\u201d, don\u2019t ask for one. Ask About Bringing the Kids When couples choose to have an adults-only wedding ceremony, they typically state this on the wedding invite or on their wedding website. Even if they have not mentioned kids attending their wedding, if you have children, it\u2019s a good idea to ask them about it\u2014just to be sure. It\u2019s better to be clear than to just assume and bring your kids when the couple would prefer them not to be there. Dress Appropriately Whether you\u2019re attending a casual beachside wedding or a black tie affair with a dress code, respect the instructions and dress appropriately. It\u2019s the couple\u2019s special day, and a good wedding guest will wear what they have requested. If you don\u2019t have the right attire, borrow it from someone, or rent what you need. Special attention should be given to weddings that have a color-coordinated dress code, since you\u2019ll stick out like a sore thumb if you ignore the rules. Also, this should be common knowledge by now, but don\u2019t wear white unless you\u2019ve specifically been asked to. Don\u2019t Bring Your Drama Weddings tend to bring together lots of people who have bad blood between them. If you\u2019re one of those people, do not let that ruin the couple\u2019s special day. Be a good wedding guest and put aside your ten-year feud with the groom\u2019s brother or your cousin and allow the day to be peaceful and beautiful. Even if it has nothing to do with the other wedding guests and you\u2019re going something else, try to leave any problems or drama at home and put on your best face. Enjoy several hours with the couple, and don\u2019t be a bummer. Arrive on Time Obviously. It\u2019s silly that this one even needs to be listed, but it does because there\u2019s always someone who arrives late. It\u2019s so rude. Don\u2019t do it. Allow for extra time if you have trouble getting to places on time. Avoid Poking Around the Venue This one should be obvious, but wedding guests do this more often than you\u2019d think\u2014especially if the wedding venue is a particularly old or beautiful building. No matter how dazzling the venue may be, resist the urge to go exploring. Don\u2019t wander away from the other guests. You might end up barging into the bridal suite, and that\u2019s just embarrassing for everyone. Stick to the designated spots. Wait to be Seated You may be dying to sit down before the wedding ceremony, but most of the time there are ushers to guide you where to sit. Make sure to wait for an usher to direct you where to go so that you\u2019re not sitting in someone else\u2019s spot. Respect an Unplugged Ceremony\u2026 More and more these days, couples are choosing to have an unplugged ceremony. This helps the wedding guests to be in the moment instead of being attached to their phones. It also keeps the wedding photos free of a sea of smartphones, helps the hired photographer\u2019s shots not to be blocked, and ensures that no \u201cboop-boop-ding-beeps\u201d sound off during the wedding vows. If the couple has chosen an unplugged wedding ceremony, respect this and turn your phone off\u2014and don\u2019t use your camera. And hey, even if they haven\u2019t chosen an unplugged wedding ceremony, why not still keep your phone turned off? Be the good guest whose phone isn\u2019t making noises and ruining the pictures. \u2026But Hashtag if They Want You To While unplugged wedding ceremonies are gaining steam, it\u2019s also very popular for the couple to have a wedding hashtag. If they\u2019re announcing this, they definitely want you to post using the hashtag, so do that! Don\u2019t Post Photos Until it\u2019s Allowed Whether the couple decides to have an unplugged wedding ceremony or they provide a wedding hashtag for guests to use, always make sure you\u2019re not posting their wedding photos until they say it\u2019s okay to. Even if they are doing the hashtag, they still might want you to wait until after the reception. Privacy is very important to couples these days, so be aware of their rules. Don\u2019t Get Wasted Yes, lots of wedding guests drink at the reception. It\u2019s to be expected. However, there\u2019s a big difference between feeling good and getting messy. No one wants their reception ruined by an obnoxious groomsman or a sobbing bridesmaid. And vomiting? Absolutely not okay! Instead, pace yourself and know your limits. The wedding day should be remembered for the couple, not for how Cousin Amy passed out in the foyer. No Impromptu Speeches Unless you have been asked or invited to make a speech at the reception, don\u2019t do it. It\u2019s simply rude. Speeches are typically reserved for the best man, the maid of honor, and the parents of the couple. Sometimes exceptions are made, but if they are, you\u2019ll be told. Don\u2019t assume you can just grab the microphone and start talking. If you truly feel the need to express yourself to the couple, include a letter with your wedding gift instead. Mail Your Gift More and more wedding guests are mailing their gift to the newlyweds. Why? It helps cut down on the amount of things that will need to be hauled away from the reception. Unless your gift is terribly heavy or fragile, it\u2019s a nice gesture to mail it to them instead. And this should go without saying: get them a gift from their registry! RSVP ASAP This is perhaps the biggest wedding guest faux pas: not sending your RSVP. It\u2019s smartest to simply send it as soon as you know if you can attend or not. Don\u2019t put it off. Life gets busy, and we procrastinate\u2014but the couple will definitely be waiting on your response in order to plan important parts of their wedding. If you can\u2019t make it, they can invite someone else, but they\u2019ll need time to do that. So even if you can\u2019t go, RSVP as soon as you know. Share Dietary Restrictions Most RSVPs these days have an area to point out any dietary restrictions, so be sure to check for this on the card and fill it out appropriately if it\u2019s available. If it\u2019s not and you do have serious dietary restrictions, it\u2019s a good idea to write this on the card yourself or to let the wedding couple know some other way. Ask Questions In Advance If you have any questions about the wedding, be sure to ask the couple in advance. Don\u2019t wait until the wedding day, or even the wedding week. By that time, they are going to be very busy and distracted, and any added questions will probably stress them out. Whatever you have to ask, ask it as soon as it comes to mind. And if you do have to ask a question the day of the wedding, try to ask it from someone besides the couple. Don\u2019t Complain Okay, there may be some annoying things going on at the wedding. The ceremony may go on forever. There may be a cash bar. Maybe the meal doesn\u2019t have any gluten-free options. And maybe you really wanted to bring a date, but didn\u2019t get a plus-one. But no matter what the situation is, don\u2019t complain. There may be very good reasons for these choices, so just grin and bear it, and allow the couple to have a wonderful, guilt-free time. It\u2019s their day. Shake Your Moneymaker There\u2019s no sadder scene at a wedding reception than an empty dance floor. If the couple has paid for a band or DJ and no one\u2019s out there partying, be a great wedding guest and go cut a rug. Normally it just takes a few guests on the dance floor to get more people out there. The couple will appreciate this effort. Be sure to also participate in wedding traditions like the bouquet toss or the garter throw, or watching the cutting of the cake. If something\u2019s going on, be there for it. Don\u2019t Ask the Couple for Anything It doesn\u2019t matter what you need or how badly you need it: do not ask the wedding couple for anything. Even if the groom was supposed to bring the $500 he owes you, don\u2019t ask for it on his wedding day. If you want the bride to snap a quick photo of you with your dad, don\u2019t. If you need the number of the groom\u2019s cute cousin, get it from someone else. Just don\u2019t bother the couple\u2014they have quite enough on their minds! Wait to Drink the Champagne When you get to the reception hall and you\u2019re seated at the dinner table, most of the time there will be a half-filled glass of champagne waiting for you. This is for the toasts, so don\u2019t begin sipping it yet (as tempting as that may be). The rule is one sip per toast, so make it last! You don\u2019t want to toast the newlyweds with an empty champagne glass. Let Them Know About Cancellations Whatever the reason, there may be a situation that happens that causes you to have to miss the wedding. If this happens, be sure to let someone know. This doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be the couple\u2014it could be the wedding planner, the maid of honor, or a parent of the couple. It may sound silly, but they may be able to ask someone last-minute to attend if they know you can\u2019t make it. Feeling ready to be the ultimate wedding guest now? Hopefully this list shed some light on a few areas you may not have considered before. No matter what, just do your best to help the couple have a wonderful wedding day. Have fun and good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":9126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9076"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9129,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9076\/revisions\/9129"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Ask About Bringing the Kids<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"dress-appropriately(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/dress-appropriatelyunsplash2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nDress Appropriately<\/span><\/h1>\n
Don\u2019t Bring Your Drama<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"be-on-time(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/be-on-timeunsplash.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nArrive on Time<\/span><\/h1>\n
Avoid Poking Around the Venue<\/span><\/h1>\n
Wait to be Seated<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"unplugged-ceremony(etsy)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/unplugged-ceremonyetsy1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nRespect an Unplugged Ceremony\u2026<\/span><\/h1>\n
\u2026But Hashtag if They Want You To<\/span><\/h1>\n
Don\u2019t Post Photos Until it\u2019s Allowed<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"dont-get-drunk(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/dont-get-drunkunsplash1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nDon\u2019t Get Wasted<\/span><\/h1>\n
No Impromptu Speeches<\/span><\/h1>\n
<\/h1>\n
![\"mail-gifts(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mail-giftsunsplash.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nMail Your Gift<\/span><\/h1>\n
RSVP ASAP<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"dietary-restrictions(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/dietary-restrictionsunsplash.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nShare Dietary Restrictions<\/span><\/h1>\n
Ask Questions In Advance<\/span><\/h1>\n
Don\u2019t Complain<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"shake-moneymaker(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/shake-moneymakerunsplash1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nShake Your Moneymaker<\/span><\/h1>\n
Don\u2019t Ask the Couple for Anything<\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"dont-drink-champagne(unsplash)\"](\"https:\/\/www.azazie.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/dont-drink-champagneunsplash1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/h1>\nWait to Drink the Champagne<\/span><\/h1>\n
Let Them Know About Cancellations<\/span><\/h1>\n