Hello friends!
The wedding season typically commences with Valentine's Day so thought it would be useful to offer a few tips for wedding etiquette! Please please please please please please RSVP!!!!!! By RSVP I mean the following: reply IN WRITING (hopefully the bride is following proper etiquette by providing a stamped and addressed reply card with the invitation) BY THE DATE REQUESTED. This planning is critical to the budget planning for the couple, as the reception if oftentimes the single largest expense. The food is charged PER PERSON so the headcount is critical. Respond with the number of persons that will accompany you. Now let me say this-if you are not a member of the family or VERY CLOSE, this typically is PLUS ONE! If the bride specifies no children, please be kind enough to adhere to that. Children are headcount and the couple may desire a more adult themed reception serving alcohol, which is inappropriate for children. Please be kind and have the gift sent to their HOME. If you are buying from their registry, the address is already on file and the store will even wrap it for you. This keeps you from having to drag a big box in your wedding attire (more on dress later) and more importantly, it keeps the couple, planner, hostesses or whoever from having to worry about keeping up with it after the festivities. If you do decide to take the gift to the wedding, please be sure to properly identify it as coming from you so that it can be acknowledged with the proper thank you. If you are putting a card in the wishing well, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE CASH. It is so easy to lose track of!
Please wear the appropriate attire. Unless specified jeans are NEVER appropriate for a wedding. There are certain rules for day verses night weddings, but if the invitation specifies black tie, please adhere to that. I'm still a firm believer that men should wear a sport coat at a minimum regardless (maybe a beach wedding is an exception). And please be on your best behavior. If the reception is hors d'oeuvres then govern yourselves accordingly. The plates will be smaller because the intent is smaller portions. Never go to a wedding hungry. I actually attended a wedding once where the guests went into the kitchen of the venue and found carryout containers so that they could eat more! You know I was about to faint! Don't pile a bunch of food on the plate. If there are not servers, please do not overindulge! Be considerate of other guests being served. Do not get drunk! Even if it is a cash bar and you are buying your own drinks. There is noting more disruptive or distracting than an obnoxious drunk person at a wedding reception.
During the ceremony and reception please follow decorum and do not obstruct the PAID photographers trying to get pics on your cell phone! Do not publish or share any photos without the bride and groom's permission. This day is about the bride and the groom and the celebration of them starting their lives together as one. Your role is to make this day as joyous as possible for them!
The wedding season typically commences with Valentine's Day so thought it would be useful to offer a few tips for wedding etiquette! Please please please please please please RSVP!!!!!! By RSVP I mean the following: reply IN WRITING (hopefully the bride is following proper etiquette by providing a stamped and addressed reply card with the invitation) BY THE DATE REQUESTED. This planning is critical to the budget planning for the couple, as the reception if oftentimes the single largest expense. The food is charged PER PERSON so the headcount is critical. Respond with the number of persons that will accompany you. Now let me say this-if you are not a member of the family or VERY CLOSE, this typically is PLUS ONE! If the bride specifies no children, please be kind enough to adhere to that. Children are headcount and the couple may desire a more adult themed reception serving alcohol, which is inappropriate for children. Please be kind and have the gift sent to their HOME. If you are buying from their registry, the address is already on file and the store will even wrap it for you. This keeps you from having to drag a big box in your wedding attire (more on dress later) and more importantly, it keeps the couple, planner, hostesses or whoever from having to worry about keeping up with it after the festivities. If you do decide to take the gift to the wedding, please be sure to properly identify it as coming from you so that it can be acknowledged with the proper thank you. If you are putting a card in the wishing well, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE CASH. It is so easy to lose track of!
Please wear the appropriate attire. Unless specified jeans are NEVER appropriate for a wedding. There are certain rules for day verses night weddings, but if the invitation specifies black tie, please adhere to that. I'm still a firm believer that men should wear a sport coat at a minimum regardless (maybe a beach wedding is an exception). And please be on your best behavior. If the reception is hors d'oeuvres then govern yourselves accordingly. The plates will be smaller because the intent is smaller portions. Never go to a wedding hungry. I actually attended a wedding once where the guests went into the kitchen of the venue and found carryout containers so that they could eat more! You know I was about to faint! Don't pile a bunch of food on the plate. If there are not servers, please do not overindulge! Be considerate of other guests being served. Do not get drunk! Even if it is a cash bar and you are buying your own drinks. There is noting more disruptive or distracting than an obnoxious drunk person at a wedding reception.
During the ceremony and reception please follow decorum and do not obstruct the PAID photographers trying to get pics on your cell phone! Do not publish or share any photos without the bride and groom's permission. This day is about the bride and the groom and the celebration of them starting their lives together as one. Your role is to make this day as joyous as possible for them!