Joanna James
There’s more to attending a wedding than getting all glammed up for the day. To be the best wedding guest, you need to follow certain rules. From responding to the invitation to following the dress code to getting a gift, you need to understand how everything works and make sure that you are not in any way letting the newlyweds down.
When a couple dispatches an invitation to you, they expect a response. So, as the invited, you need to make sure that you RSVP on time. A lot of effort goes into planning a wedding, and the couple needs to know whether or not you are going to turn up so they can sort their venue and the catering. You’ll get your invitation a few weeks prior to the wedding, and if it’s a destination wedding, you’ll get an invitation at least a month in advance. Looking for the best places for destination weddings is a fun yet arduous process. So, you need to let them know whether or not you’ll attend so that they can get on with looking for the most romantic places in the world according to the headcount.
Most wedding invitations come up with an RSVP card, and some couples will like you to respond digitally. However, if you get a card, make sure you don’t make any mistakes when filling it out. If the invitation, by any chance, doesn’t include a response card, you should record your response on nice stationery. Also, if you can’t make it, make sure to include an informal letter explaining why you can’t attend.
Some people assume that they can bring along their partner even if a plus-one invitation is not extended. This is simply not right. You cannot bring your partner to the wedding if he or she is not invited. If your partner is invited, the envelope will state your name and your partner’s name, or at the very least, it will say ‘guest’ next to your name.
Buying a wedding gift before the wedding is a considerate thing to do, although some say that you have a year from the wedding date to buy a gift. While this may be true, the couple will be highly appreciative of a gift received prior to the wedding. Check the wedding registry before you buy the gift to make sure you buy something they want. You can also include a monetary gift – monetary gifts should be presented with a nice congratulatory card.
It’s important that you follow the dress code – you don’t want to stand out, nor do you want to steal the spotlight from the couple. For brunch weddings, you can choose from a soft colour palette, and you can go for something with floral prints; men can wear light colours. However, if it’s a black-tie wedding, there will be stringent guidelines to follow – men can wear tuxedos, and women can wear high-end cocktail attire. Also, if it’s a multicultural wedding, you need to make sure you don’t offend the cultural sensitivities of other guests.
Being fashionably late isn’t exactly fashionable, especially when it comes to weddings. You need to arrive at the wedding venue at least half an hour before the ceremony begins. This way, you have the time to explore the wedding venue and appreciate the fine details of the event that the couple has gone into great trouble for. If you are late, however, make sure you take the backseat and wait to be ushered to your designated seat.
It’s rude to be on your phone all the time. Use your time to talk to the couple and mingle with other guests. Also, make sure you don’t drink a lot and make trouble for other people. Always remember, the wedding is about the couple, not about you.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
