Attending weddings is one of my favorite things to do. Everyone is happy and dancing and having a good time. Planning my wedding taught me even more about how to be a great guest. I compiled a list below to help you (and me) be the best wedding guest ever.
♥ Pay attention to the invitation: The invite will tell you everything you need to know about the wedding. There are two important things to pay extra close attention to: the people named on the invite and the date on the rsvp. The people listed on the invite are the only people invited. Bringing an uninvited guest could cause issues with seating and available food. Secondly, the bride and groom want to know if you can make it (they are also loving the influx of mail they are currently getting)! Be sure to rsvp promptly so they can make all the necessary arrangements for you.
♥ Sign out during the important parts: During the ceremony, the speeches, the first dance, and other key wedding moments don’t text, Facebook, Instagram, FourSquare or anything like that. Pay attention, smile, snap one or two photos, say things like “aww” and “how nice”. In short, be present.
♥ Stay: Most weddings are about six or seven hours (combining ceremony, cocktail hour and reception time). During that time you are bombarded by free food, free drinks, happy people and general merriment. It’s awesome. So don’t leave halfway through. Really, what else do you have to do? Stay! Dance, chat, eat drink and be merry. If you ditch after dinner, the bride and groom are entitled to give you the side-eye.
♥ Dance: Music+free liquor=a good time. That equation is a proven fact. Get up and dance. Even if you “can’t dance” just do it. Good music and dancing makes everything more fun. If it didn’t then why are shows like Glee so successful? If you are that girl/guy in the back texting and eyeing the coat closet you probably shouldn’t attend anymore weddings. Ever. They aren’t for you.
♥ Bring a card: Weddings can be expensive for everyone involved, including the guests. So if you are planning to send a gift to the couple at a later date that is fine (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise). You should always bring a card, though. And leave a nice note inside, too. Little things like that make a big difference.
♥ Talk to people: Remember how I said everyone is happy at weddings? Well they are. So talk to people! Ask them to dance, too. Weddings are a great time to see people at their best. So don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to strangers.
♥ Show Up: Here’s a way to become really unpopular really fast. RSVP yes and then don’t show up, with no explantation at all. It is one thing if you call the bride or groom in advance and let them know you can’t make it. Things come up, that is understandable. However, if you are a straight up no show, expect a cold shoulder or two.
♥ RSVP “No” if you don’t want to go: Remember, you are the master of your own social calendar — and your own bank account. A wedding invite does not mean you have to attend. Obviously, the couple wants everyone they invite at their wedding. However, the bride and groom don’t want Moaning Myrtle at their wedding either. So if you don’t have the cash or you are not on good terms with love at the moment. Don’t go. It will be fine.
♥ Dress nicely: Use this mantra: This is a wedding, not a night club. Chant the mantra multiple times as you give yourself a once over in the mirror. If you begin to feel pangs of self doubt after the third or fourth chant, you should rethink your look. Also, if you have to text a friend and ask if your dress has “too much white in it” – it does, so you should pick another dress. Oh and don’t wear jeans. Ever. Even if the invite says “casual”. Stay strong and resist the pull of denim, comrade!
