Wedding Guest Etiquette
Weddings are such a special time for friends and families to come and celebrate a couple taking a huge step in their lives together. If you are invited to a wedding it means that the couple considers you to be an important part of their lives and a part of their future together as spouses. The job of the wedding guest is not hard, but it does have a few boundaries that you should be careful not to cross. We have listed some of the most important rules of (general) guest etiquette for you so there’s no guessing involved!
No white/ivory/cream
If I see one more TikTok with a wedding guest asking if her all white dress with a single black flower is wedding appropriate I might just become an internet troll. The rule of thumb is, if you have any doubt that your outfit isn’t appropriate, change outfits.
Always refer to the wedding website
Don’t know what to wear? Check the website! Don’t know where the couple is registered? The website has it! Don’t know where to stay for the wedding weekend? It’s on the website! I guarantee you, 95% of your questions will be answered on the wedding website. It’s literally what it was made for.
RSVP as soon as possible
From the second a couple sends out their invites they check DAILY to see who has responded. The sooner you can give them an answer the better. I know it can be hard if you think you cannot make it, but just know… there is a mini celebration every time a notification comes through saying someone cannot attend the wedding. Not responding doesn’t immediately mean a no, it means anxiety for everyone involved. So always respond and respond well before the deadline.
If the invite says "adults only" don't ask to bring your kid
Again, check the website. The general rule is always that the only people invited to the wedding will be listed on your invitation. Other than that your kids, auntie, and dog are not invited (sharing this from personal experience, not as a joke!)
Don't get in the photographer's way
The soon to be newlyweds have most likely spent thousands of dollars to photograph their big day. Your view is important, but not as important as the photographer's view! They are also not there to find your good side, so there’s no need for you to try to get into every photo possible.
If the couple says "unplugged ceremony", don't take photos
Again, thousands of dollars have been spent to memorialize the ceremony. Your iPhone photos are never going to be the photos that get printed and hung above the mantle. If the couple has asked for an unplugged ceremony it’s because they want you to be in the moment with them (and their ceremony photos to be devoid of hands with phones in the air). Let the professionals do the job they were hired for.
If you are married or are getting married soon, what are some pet peeves you have of wedding guests that we might have missed??
Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn
