Wedding Guest Etiquette

Wedding Guest Etiquette

As published in Azalea Magazine  Summer 2017.

It’s June, which means wedding season is heating up. The following are
a few ground rules to help you navigate the dos and don’ts of being a
good wedding guest:

RSVP
Good wedding guest etiquette starts the minute you receive the invitation in the mail. As soon as you receive a formal invitation, respond yes or no. If there is not a response card be sure to reply using your own stationery.

Be On Time
It is best to arrive at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is set to begin. Stumbling in when the ceremony is already underway is both distracting and disrespectful to the couple.

Do Not Wear White
While rules for wedding attire are becoming more relaxed, traditionally, you would not wear white. White and ivory should be
left for the bride — and that still holds true today.

No Extras Please
The invitation is extended only to the persons whose names are on the
envelope. This means…
A wedding invitation is not transferable.
If your spouse can not attend, your sister or best friend can not fill in.
Do not assume that children or “plus ones” are allowed. They are not invited unless their names are listed on either the outside or inner envelope of the invitation.

Mail Large Gifts
Gifts are best sent to the bride’s home (or the return address on the
invitation) prior to the wedding. This saves guests the hassle of
having to transport the gifts, as well as saving the couple (or couple’s family members) the hassle of rounding up the gifts and getting them to the couple.

It is an honor to be invited to someone’s wedding. If there is ever a
time to rise to an occasion, this is it! Following these tips will
allow you to do just that.